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Healthy Home Economist / Archives / Natural Remedies / Master Tonic: Natural Flu Antiviral (+ VIDEO)

Master Tonic: Natural Flu Antiviral (+ VIDEO)

by Sarah Pope / Affiliate Links ✔

Jump to Recipe

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • How to Make the Master Tonic+−
    • Prep Tip
    • Minimizing Time Spent
    • Nightshade Allergy?
    • Video Tutorial
  • Dosage
  • Master Tonic Recipe+−
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Recipe Video
    • Recipe Notes
  • Fire Cider vs Master Tonic

The Master Tonic is a fermented elixir for prevention, flu, or travel. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal.

master tonic ingredient preparation on a table

The Master Tonic is a must-have remedy for flu season or when traveling overseas. It is potently anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It requires no refrigeration and lasts indefinitely with no special storage conditions.

This post details how to make the Master Tonic and why it is so effective as a homemade, totally natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic remedy.

Note that the Master Tonic is not to be confused with the Master Cleanse.

Who needs Tamiflu with all its dangerous side effects when you have the Master Tonic, with no side effects, in your back cupboard?

I have a friend who coordinates missionaries overseas to third world countries who told me that the missionaries she knows always take this remedy with them when traveling.

The Master Tonic keeps forever, so make it now before you need it!

This tonic is extremely powerful because all the ingredients are fresh. Its power should not be underestimated. This formula is a modern-day plague remedy and can help prevent or cure the most chronic conditions and stubborn diseases. It stimulates maximum blood circulation while putting the best detoxifying herbs into the blood.

The Master Tonic remedy is not just for the sniffles, it has helped to turn around the deadliest infections resistant to antivirals, antifungals, and antibiotics. It can be used in combination with conventional treatments as necessary.

How to Make the Master Tonic

Make plenty as the Master Tonic does not need refrigeration and lasts indefinitely without any special storage conditions.

The healthiest Master Tonic is made with homemade apple cider vinegar brewed with raw honey.

If you don’t have time to do this, then be sure to buy only raw ACV packed in glass bottles. Never buy it packaged in plastic, as the acidity of the ACV will leach toxins into the vinegar.

Prep Tip

These ingredients can make your eyes water and burn while you are chopping and grating.

I put a large cutting board on my (cool!) stovetop and turn on the fan above the range on high. This allows me to chop everything without discomfort.

Minimizing Time Spent

I’ve recently noticed that bags of organic, peeled, whole garlic cloves are available at some health food stores. Using these instead of peeling the garlic yourself will easily halve the time required to make this traditional tonic. It will also prevent your hands from smelling like garlic for 2 days!

Nightshade Allergy?

If you have an allergy to nightshade vegetables, substitute grated turmeric root for the cayenne pepper or double up on the onion or garlic.

Video Tutorial

The video included with the recipe below details visually how to make the master tonic and why it is so beneficial.  It is sometimes easier to learn with pictures than words. This tutorial is especially helpful while you are in the kitchen making it for the first time. Just follow along!

Dosage

The dosage for the Master Tonic is 1 or 2 ounces, two or more times daily. Swish and swallow.

Don’t dilute with water if you can avoid it. Mix with food if you have to, but best to take it full strength on its own.

If it makes you gag because it is strong tasting, try stimulating this acupressure point to temporarily halt the gag reflex.

For ordinary infections, a dose taken 5-6 times a day will deal with most conditions.

It can be used during pregnancies and is safe for children (use smaller doses or mix with some honey for children over age 1). Not recommended for children younger than age 1 unless under the advice of a physician.

It is the ultimate food-as-medicine. This traditional tonic is completely non-toxic.

The Master Tonic: Natural Flu Antiviral
4.49 from 52 votes
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Master Tonic Recipe

The Master Tonic is a must-have remedy for flu season or when traveling overseas. It is potently anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It requires no refrigeration and lasts indefinitely with no special storage conditions.

Course Drinks
Keyword home remedy, tonic
Prep Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Calories 15 kcal
Author Sarah Pope

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh chopped garlic preferably organic
  • 1 cup fresh chopped onion preferably organic
  • 1 cup fresh grated ginger root preferably organic
  • 1 cup fresh grated horseradish root preferably organic
  • 1 cup fresh chopped cayenne peppers or any hot peppers seasonally available preferably organic
  • 1 quart raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1 half gallon mason jar

Instructions

  1. Fill a half gallon glass mason jar 3/4 of the way full with equal parts by volume of the above fresh chopped and grated herbs (1 cup each works well). Wear gloves when chopping the hot peppers.

    organic master tonic ingredients
  2. Fill jar to the top with raw ACV. Close the lid tightly and shake.

    fermenting master tonic ingredients
  3. Shake at least once a day for two weeks, and then filter the Master Tonic mixture through a clean piece of cloth, bottle and label.

  4. Make sure that when you make this tonic that you shake it every time you walk by it, a minimum of once per day. Remember that all the herbs and vegetables for the Master Tonic should be fresh and organically grown if possible. Use dried herbs only in an emergency.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Use only fresh and preferably organically grown herbs if possible as this will make the most potent and effective Master Tonic. Substitute dried bulk herbs only in an emergency if fresh is unavailable.

If one of the ingredients is not available (fresh horseradish is difficult during certain times of the year), then substitute another hot pepper such as habanero.

Nutrition Facts
Master Tonic Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 Tbl)
Calories 15
% Daily Value*
Potassium 11mg0%
Carbohydrates 3.5g1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
master tonic best natural antiviral ingredients

Fire Cider vs Master Tonic

Fire cider is a very similar immunity-boosting tonic to the Master Tonic. The primary difference is that most versions of fire cider contain honey to mitigate the strong taste.

Fire cider is available for purchase from a number of companies in recent years.

This brand is one of the best if you prefer not to make your own full strength Master Tonic at home. However, homemade is more potent and cost-effective per dose.

More Information

Elderberry Syrup to Boost Immunity
Onion Poultice for Congestion
Power Shot: Best Green Juice for Congestion
Best Natural Antibiotics and How to Use Them
The Best Cough Expectorant You’ve Never Tried

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Category: DIY, Immune support, Natural Remedies
Sarah Pope

Sarah Pope MGA has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. She is a summa cum laude graduate in Economics from Furman University and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

She is the author of three books: Amazon #1 bestseller Get Your Fats Straight, Traditional Remedies for Modern Families, and Living Green in an Artificial World.

Her four eBooks Good Diet…Bad Diet, Real Food Fermentation, Ketonomics, and Ancestrally Inspired Dairy-Free Recipes are available for complimentary download via Healthy Home Plus.

Her mission is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.

Sarah was awarded Activist of the Year in 2010 at the International Wise Traditions Conference, subsequently serving on the Board of Directors of the nutrition nonprofit the Weston A. Price Foundation for seven years.

Her work has been covered by numerous independent and major media including USA Today, ABC, and NBC among many others.

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Reader Interactions

Comments (327)

  1. Emjay

    Feb 16, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    I have yet to make this or fire cider – always on my to-do list. Today I learned that Susun Weed makes a sweet cider, which she calls “Forgot Fire Cider.” She says “Fire cider relies on excessive stimulation, and, as is always true with stimulants, natural or otherwise, winds up weakening us and leaving us more vulnerable to viruses. Instead, try this yummy sweet cider for healthy immunity.” Her “Forgot Cider” seems much more do-able with way fewer ingredients and using organic sweet or fermented cider in place of the ACV.

    Reply
  2. Teena

    Jan 13, 2022 at 9:03 pm

    I was getting sick with a sour throat in the middle of the night.. I had some singing gigs coming up. I got up and took a table spoon of Tonic, and then gargled a quarter cup for as log as I could and spit it out.. then did it again..did not rinse my mouth. Went back to bed, and my throat was healed!! Masters Tonic has worked for me many times, I swear by it.

    Reply
  3. JeanJoyner

    Oct 2, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    I ;must make and try as I am having a couple of issues. I am 84 and mostly healthy til lately.

    Reply
  4. Kathryn Long

    Oct 1, 2021 at 6:36 am

    Question! Does it have to be shaken daily to remain good/viable? I hope mine hasn’t gone bad.

    I made this brew a year ago, and left it in the back of my cupboard. It has some white deposit on the bottom when I pulled it out this morning, most of which dissolved when shaken. I had not shaken it in many months… Now I feel the need to use it but don’t want to hurt myself if it has gone bad. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Susan Dobrowney

    Sep 16, 2021 at 10:29 am

    Do these ingredients have to be chopped. Can I out them in a blender and then add the vinegar?

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Sep 16, 2021 at 11:11 am

      They must be chopped. Not blended

  6. Bethany

    Sep 8, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Should I remove the seeds from the peppers or leave them in?

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Sep 9, 2021 at 9:01 am

      Remove the seeds.

  7. Ellen

    Jul 11, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    Hi Sarah…thank you for all that you do and have done for YEARS. Been using this for a very long time BUT this time I wondered if there’s any use for the remaining ingredients once the tonic is ready…I hate throwing all of that out. Can it be re-used in any way? Thanks for any help.

    Reply
  8. Carey

    Feb 7, 2021 at 10:06 am

    I’m surprised it doesn’t incorporate tumeric. Is there a reason for that?

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Feb 8, 2021 at 11:36 am

      Turmeric is listed as a substitute for the hot peppers if you are sensitive to nightshades.

  9. Donna Fox

    Jan 24, 2021 at 12:02 am

    Hi Sara,
    I wanted to share with you something that REALLY DOES WORK! You mentioned while listing your recipe for Master Tonic, to wear gloves while chopping garlic so you don’t smell of it for two days afterwards.
    Well…… here’s how you avoid that! While running your hands under water when washing them, rub your hands on your faucet ? SERIOUSLY! after rubbing them on the metal… smell your hands….. NO ODER! Promise ?
    You’re very welcome! Donna Fox

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Jan 25, 2021 at 8:16 am

      Yes, this really does work! I’ve tried it before in the past. However, when peeling garlic, so much of your hands get smelly including the hard to reach skin under your fingernails. So, I tend to wear gloves anyway. Just me.

      Thanks for the tip!

  10. Shelby Hofer

    Jun 1, 2020 at 10:20 am

    5 stars
    Important question re not shaking it enough. I made this tonic before CV-19 hit, so it was like several months ago (Feb/Mar). And I put in in the fridge (probably an old fear – will this hurt it?). I shook it every day for (more than) two weeks because I somehow missed the part about straining it after two weeks. But then when CV happened, the daily shaking fell through the cracks. It is still in my fridge and I just came back here to see about storing it. Glad to read it can be stored outside of the fridge and for an indefinite period. However, will it harm the tonic that is has sat for several weeks, unstrained and unshaken? I hope not. I need to use it. I love all the comments about how great it works. Hope I didn’t miss my own answer to this.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Jun 1, 2020 at 10:21 am

      It won’t ferment in the fridge.

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