Food for thought

Today, I got an email from one of my yoga teachers, recommending that we make this recipe of a "curing broth" and drink it for four weeks, to prevent catching the flu or the usual colds that start infecting people at the this time of year.

Curing Broth

2 quarts of organic broth, chicken or vegetable
1 tablespoon of whole cloves
3-4 drops of cinnamon oil, or 1 stick of cinnamon (canela)
6-10 thin slices of fresh ginger
2 heads of fresh garlic, separated, peeled and rough chopped (yes, two whole heads)
2-3 hot peppers (serrano, habanero, thai dragon) quartered, seeds in
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns

Put all ingredients into a large saucepan and let steep for two to four hours. When ready, strain into a mug, add the juice of 1/2 lemon or lime, and drink like tea. Drink every two or three hours. When the liquid gets low, add more broth and continue steeping--there is still plenty of life in the ingredients.

It sure sounds hot! Do you really think that hot foods can strengthen your immune system? Perhaps the smell will keep germy people at bay!