INGREDIENTS

• Unrefined pure sea salt or Himalayan pink salt crystals. (Do not use iodised salt)

• Filtered or bottle mineral water

As much of one or more of the following as desired:

Example: Pickled eggs are good with beetroot, onion, cloves and dill.
 

SUGGESTED HERBS AND SPICES TO INCLUDE

Per litre of brine

• Bay leaves (two)

• Basil (a handful of chopped leaves)

• Black peppercorns (1 handful of whole peppercorns)

• Capers (1 handful)

• Chilli peppers (1 - 2 dried or fresh)

• Chives (a handful snipped)

• Dill (a handful of dill heads)

• Garlic (5-6 cloves, crushed, sliced, or chopped)

• Ginger (1 inch grated root)

• Mustard seed1/2 teaspoon

• Nasturtium (handful of leaves and flowers)

• Oregano (a handful of chopped leaves)

• Parsley (a handful of chopped leaves)

• Tarragon (a handful of chopped leaves)

• Thyme (a handful of chopped leaves)

Any other herbs and spices may be added as desired. Choose no more than three predominant, complimentary flavours. Experiment and create pickles based on nutritionally beneficial or medicinal vegetables, herbs and spices for a particular condition. Click the blue links or see the Nature Cures A-Z Ailments for the natural vegetables, herbs and spices for any illnesses, infection or disease.

See also the following to find out what each ingredient is good for

• A-Z of medicinal herbs and spices

• A-Z of Natural Foods

ADDITIONAL HERBS AND SPICES TO ADD

Add one teaspoon per litre of water or more if required.

• Anise seeds

• Caraway seeds

• Cardamom

• Celery seeds

• Cinnamon

• Coriander

• Cumin

• Lemongrass

• Marjoram

• Mint

• Nutmeg

• Paprika

• Pine needles

• Rosemary

• Safflower

• Saffron

• Sage

• Savoury

• Turmeric

• Vanilla

SPICED PICKLES

• Asian spiced pickle with Sichuan peppercorns and ginger

• Mexican spiced pickle with jalapenos, cumin and oregano.

• Mixed pickling spice gives pickles a spicier, old fashioned flavour

For crunchier pickles add a few grape or sour cherry leaves per litre of brine.

METHOD

• In a clean pickling jar, layer the well washed vegetables and spices. 

• Leave about 5 cm (2 inches) at the top. 

• Prepare the brine with cold water and salt. 

• Whisk well to completely dissolve the salt and pour the brine over the vegetables to just cover them.

• Weigh down the vegetables to keep them fully submerged in the brine by using a plate that just fits inside the container, creating a seal, and weight the plate down with a well-scrubbed, large rock or a slightly smaller container that has been filled with water.

Alternately, use a plastic bag filled with brine to act as both a weight and a seal. Fit a heavy plastic freezer bag inside another. Fill the inner bag with a salt brine of three tablespoons salt to one litre of water and tightly close both bags to prevent leaks. Place on top of the pickles, making sure it fits tightly around the inner edge of the jar. It acts as an airtight weight on top of the vegetables, which will discourage the growth of yeast and scum.

Store the pickles in a cool place 15° to 23°C (60° to 75°F). Liquid may bubble and seep from the pickles as they ferment, so place the pickle container on a tray or in a bowl to contain any overflow

The pickles will take about 4-10 days to complete fermentation, depending on the temperature of fermentation and the concentration of salt in the brine. Cooler temperatures and saltier brines slow fermentation. The fermentation is complete when bubbles are no longer rising to the surface of the pickles and they have a fresh, tart smell. Taste the brine. If the saltiness is not balanced with sourness, let the pickles continue to ferment another day or two.

The pickles will keep for up to a year in the refrigerator as long as they remain submerged in the brine.

HOT CHILLI PEPPER SAUCE

Ferment hot peppers, adding garlic for spicing. Turn the fermented hot peppers into hot sauce by stemming and pureeing them. Be sure to wear gloves when handling hot peppers. For a thinner sauce, strain. Bottled sauce will keep all year in the refrigerator.

WHAT TO AVOID WHEN

• Cabbage, kale, plums and prunes if suffering with thyroid problems, kidney or gallstones, joint problems, or osteoporosis.

• Cumin, ginger and turmeric if taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medication), or hormone therapies and contraceptive pills or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, have heart problems or during the first three months of pregnancy or are breast feeding.

• Rosemary if suffering from high blood pressure, pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Sage if pregnant or suffering with epilepsy.

MEDICINAL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TONIC

Organic raw apple cider vinegar has many uses due to its powerful properties. It can cleanse the home and the body when diluted with water, eliminate bacteria, parasites, yeasts, moulds, fungal and viral infections and help to treat many other ailments when combined with other medicinal natural foods and taken internally with no ill effects. It also aids in the absorption of calcium. It can be used as the main ingredient in a tincture which can be taken as a daily tonic, used to pickles fruits and vegetables and consumed more often to provide treatment for the following conditions:

This powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antimicrobial, antiviral and vermifuge (parasite eliminating) tonic will also

• Act as a natural diuretic.

• Act as a probiotic providing extra beneficial bacteria to the gut.

• Aid digestion.

• Remove heavy metals and toxins from the system.

• Cleanse the blood and liver.

• Eliminate parasites.

• Enhance cognitive functions, concentration and attention span.

• Fight infections.

• Improve circulation.

• Improve lymphatic flow.

• Improve memory and mental clarity.

• Improve muscle function.

• Increase energy production.

• Increase the white blood cell count.

• Loosen mucus.

• Reduce inflammation.

• Reduce the risk of intestinal and bowel disorders.

• Repair damaged joints.

• Stabilise blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

• Stabilise cholesterol levels.

• Stimulate white blood cell production and the immune system.

A tincture is usually made with 80-proof alcohol, however, it can also be made, for those who want to avoid alcohol, with glycerine or apple cider vinegar. Glycerine makes a great tincture for children because it is sweet but doesn’t create as potent of a final product.

A tonic is something that is meant to be taken over a long time and gradually and effectively strengthens and builds the system. Apple cider vinegar makes the ideal medium for a tonic tincture. Not only is it 100% non-toxic, it also has many health benefits itself: See apple cider vinegar.

Ingredients

Measurements need not be exact and can be increased to make more at a time. To find out the nutrients and medicinal benefits of each of the following ingredients click the blue links.

• 1 x  fresh hot chilli pepper, chopped.

• 1 x garlic bulb, peeled and chopped.

• 1 x onion peeled and chopped.

• 1 oz (28 g) of grated ginger root.

• 1 oz (28 g) of horseradish root grated or one teaspoon of powdered root or wasabi root powder.

• 1 x whole sliced lemon or lime.

• Large handful of chopped coriander leaves.

• 10 x peppercorns.

• 1 x teaspoon of turmeric powder.

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder.

• Raw apple cider vinegar.

Method

• Place all the prepared vegetables, spices and herbs into the large glass jar and completely cover with apple cider vinegar so that the vinegar sits two inches above the herb and vegetable line.

• Place a firm lid on the tonic and while holding the lid in place shake the tonic so that it mixes and settles. Add more vinegar if needed.

• Unscrew the lid and leave on loosely.

• Make sure the contents are always below the vinegar so that mould does not grow on them.

• Allow the tonic to sit on a tray in a cool dark place for for at least 4-6 weeks (the longer it sits the stronger it will be).

• Screw lid on tightly and shake daily then loosen lid again. The fermentation process will cause liquid to bubble over the sides of the jar which is why it must be placed on a tray.

• When ready strain the tincture using a loosely woven piece of cloth, such cheesecloth or muslin, a large bowl and a stainless steel colander that fits into the bowl.

• Place the colander into the bowl and line the colander with cheesecloth. Pour the contents of the jar into this strainer.

• Take a flat object, such as a plate, and press onto the concoction to press the remaining juices out.

• Pour the tonic liquid into small jars or bottles or rinse the large jar and keep it in there and label. Tinted jars or bottles are recommended for storing tinctures because they reduce light damage.

• Store in a dark, cool place for up to one year.

• Compost the remains or freeze it to add to soups and other dishes.

Dosage

Once the tonic is strained, drink it daily or as needed. Raw honey can be added to disguise the powerful taste and it may be diluted with a little water. Four large glasses of water should be consumed through out the day when taking this tonic.

• Take one shot (1-2 ounces or 28 - 56 ml) per day as a tonic.

• Take up to four shots per day to fight infection and other ailments.

NOTE: This apple cider tonic is not recommended for pregnant and breast feeding women or those with a serious medical condition without professional consultation as it may interact with certain medications. Dilute well for children and only give a quarter of the dosage reccomended for adults. See more about apple cider vinegar

• A-Z of minerals

• Calcium

• Copper

• Iron

• Magnesium

• Phytic acid

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin K2

• Zinc

"Nature cures not the physician..." Hippocrates 460 BC