Amish Amoxicillin Recipe (Traditional Immune-Support Tonic)
A traditional herbal immune-support tonic in the fire cider family, made with garlic, ginger, turmeric, horseradish, onion, raw apple cider vinegar, and honey. Despite the name, this is NOT a real antibiotic and cannot treat bacterial infections — it's a folk wellness tonic for general immune support during cold and flu season.
Equipment
- 1-quart glass mason jar with lid
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Glass storage bottles
Ingredients
Tonic Base
- 1/2 cup fresh garlic peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh ginger root peeled and grated
- 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root grated, or 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
- 1/2 cup white or yellow onion chopped
- 2 fresh hot chili peppers jalapeño or habanero, chopped (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh turmeric root grated, or 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- 3 cups raw apple cider vinegar with the mother enough to fill the jar
To Finish
- 1/4 cup raw honey added after straining, to taste
Instructions
Prepare and Steep
- Prep your ingredients. Chop and grate everything as described. The smaller the pieces, the more flavor and active compounds you'll extract.
- Layer into the jar. Add all chopped ingredients to a clean quart-sized mason jar. Pack them in — the jar should be about 3/4 full of solids.
- Cover with apple cider vinegar. Pour raw ACV over the ingredients until the jar is full, leaving about 1 inch of headspace. Make sure all solids are fully submerged to prevent spoilage.
- Seal and store. Cover with a plastic lid (vinegar corrodes metal). If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment paper between the lid and jar.
- Steep. Store in a cool, dark place (a pantry works) for 2 to 4 weeks. Shake the jar gently every day or two.
Finish and Bottle
- Strain. After steeping, strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bowl. Press the solids firmly to extract every drop. Discard the pulp or compost it.
- Add honey. Stir in raw honey to taste. This balances the intense bite of the tonic.
- Bottle and refrigerate. Transfer to clean glass bottles and store in the refrigerator. Keep cold to maintain freshness for up to 6 months.
Notes
⚠️ Important Medical Disclaimer: This is NOT a real antibiotic and does not contain amoxicillin. It cannot treat bacterial infections like strep throat, pneumonia, or UTIs. If you have symptoms of a bacterial infection, please see a licensed medical professional.
How to use: Start with a small amount — most people work up to 1 tablespoon at a time, daily during cold-and-flu season. Can be diluted in warm water with extra honey and lemon, used as a salad dressing base, or added to vegetable broth.
Who should NOT use this tonic:
- Children under 1 (botulism risk from honey)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women — talk to your doctor first
- People on blood thinners (garlic, ginger, turmeric can affect clotting)
- People with acid reflux, GERD, or ulcers
- Anyone allergic to any of the ingredients