A yummy and energizing spring cleansing drink – Switchel – is an old folk remedy.  Heavily promoted in the 1950’s by Vermont country physician Dr. DeForest Jarvis, it was a drink first discovered in the West Indies and used as a health tonic in the new colonies.  Made with apple cider vinegar and raw honey, Switchel is known for its thirst quenching and energizing properties as well as for healing and cleansing.  It is often used as a weight loss beverage with the vinegar helping to increase metabolic rate.  The drink alkalinizes the system, a condition which inhibits the growth of disease.  Vinegar also has antiseptic and antibiotic properties and has been shown to fight the free radical cells which cause cancer.

Apple Cider vinegar has been used as a thirst quencher since Phoenician times, as its many minerals and trace elements help to regulate water content in the cells.  The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, used it as a healing elixir.  And the Roman soldiers were given a ration of the vinegar to lessen their need for water while still staying hydrated on long marches.  It was this drink that was given to Christ on the cross as a quencher for his thirst, not to antagonize him as many people think.

This recipe for Switchel uses raw honey which also has many healing properties.  It is, like vinegar, antiseptic, antibacterial and also antibiotic.  Raw honey can be used externally to heal wounds, and internally as an aid to digestion.  In its unheated form, honey does not affect blood sugar in the same way as processed sugars, and is therefore suitable for many diabetics.

Because of the live enzymes, it is not recommended to feed raw honey to children less than one year of age.

Some recipes call for adding ginger, another digestive aid with many healing properties of its own including slowing the growth of cancer cells.

Mix up a batch and let the tangy sweetness reawaken you to spring!

Recipe:

1/2 gallon good, fresh water.

½ – 1 cup raw unheated honey

½ cup raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon grated ginger

There are many variations on this recipe.  Some of the old Vermonters would add oatmeal to the drink!  And of course, many used the ubiquitous maple syrup, which adds flavor, but changes the blood sugar suitability for diabetics.  Sweetness depends on taste buds, so you may need to drastically change the amount of honey used.  You can also substitute your favorite sparkling water to add some fizz!