🌿 — Long Pepper Version
A warming, anti-inflammatory, digestion-boosting tonic using vinegars, roots, and classic Ayurvedic spices.
🧂 Ingredients (makes about 1 cup concentrate)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brown rice vinegar | ½ cup | Smooth base; adds mild acidity and trace minerals |
| Red wine vinegar | ¼ cup | Adds antioxidants and fruity depth |
| Filtered water | ¼ cup | Softens the acid balance |
| Fresh shredded turmeric root | 1 tbsp | Anti-inflammatory; provides golden color |
| Fresh shredded ginger root | 1 tbsp | Aids digestion and circulation |
| Ground fenugreek | ¼ tsp | Helps stabilize blood sugar and adds body |
| Ground Ceylon cinnamon | ¼ tsp | Natural sweetness, metabolic support |
| Crushed Indian long pepper (Piper longum) | ⅛ tsp (about ¼ of a pepper spike) | Enhances curcumin absorption; adds warm spice and aromatic depth |
| Honey, agave, or stevia (optional) | ½–1 tsp | To round acidity if desired |
⚗️ Preparation
- In a glass jar (pint or larger) with a non-metal lid, combine all ingredients.
- Stir or shake gently to mix.
- Let steep at room temperature for 12–24 hours, then refrigerate.
- Shake before each use.
- Strain after 1–2 days if you prefer a clear tonic, or leave solids for stronger flavor.
Keeps refrigerated for 2–3 weeks.
🥤 How to Use
Daily Health Tonic
- Mix 1–2 tablespoons concentrate with 6–8 oz cold or warm water.
- Drink before meals or mid-morning to support digestion and energy.
Refreshing Version
- Combine 2 tbsp tonic with sparkling water, ice, and a squeeze of lime.
Warm Comfort Drink
- Stir 1 tbsp into a mug of warm (not boiling) water.
- Optional: add lemon juice or stevia for balance.
💚 Diabetic-Friendly Notes
- Skip honey/agave; use a few drops of liquid stevia instead.
- You may steep ½ tsp whole fenugreek seeds instead of ground for a smoother texture.
- Increase cinnamon to ½ tsp for natural sweetness and stronger glucose support.
⚠️ Storage & Safety
- Always dilute before drinking — it’s quite acidic.
- Avoid metal lids or containers; acids and spices can react.
- If you use blood-sugar or blood-thinning medication, check with your doctor before daily use (vinegar, turmeric, and fenugreek all affect these pathways).
- Sediment is normal — shake before each pour.
🌟 Optional Flavor Enhancements
- Lemon zest or orange peel — adds brightness.
- Cardamom pod or star anise — gentle sweetness and aroma.
- Cinnamon stick — clearer liquid and subtler spice release.
Bill Gibson, II 