making Dr. Christopher's anti-plague

More than 15 years ago a dear lady by the name of Mildred gave me a copy of Dr. Christopher's anti-plague formula. She studied herbs with Dr. Christopher many years ago, I think more than 70 years, and had been in attendance in his class when someone asked him what to do if a plague like the Black flu came back. He rattled off a list of herbs to be made into a formula. Mildred said later he called one of the students in the class that had written the formula down and asked for a copy. He was given this formula of herbs under inspiration at the moment the question was asked.

Mildred was always encouraging me to learn more about herbs. I grew to love and admire Mildred, but it was not until last week that I MADE the anti-plague "mess." She warned me it would stink! As I warmed each herb slowly in distilled water, extremely slowly and then drained off the herbs saving the liquid to "slowly, very slowly" cook down to 1/4 the contents. I thought; this isn't so bad. I poured this mixture in a quart jar, covered it and stored it in my fridge. Which is an extreme accomplishment on its own! My fridge is full. Perhaps 'full' does not convey the intended meaning-stuffed would be more accurate. I remind my children that it is not bits and pieces, but mostly vegetables from my garden-beets, carrots, kale, green beans, squash, cucumbers, apples, pears and peaches from my neighbor. Yes, I do live alone. But my fridge is much too small and I mostly eat fresh. Not a lot of room for an extra jar. By the time I got to the twelfth jar, I moved the apples outside and rejoiced that I do not refrigerate the tomatoes.

This process took several days. I forgot to mention the garlic slurry in my cool storage room that needed to sit for 4 days while I processed the rest of the herbs. Finally I was ready to mix all together. Did I mention that I had borrowed a large kettle from my daughter Jennifer, because mine was not big enough. I combined all with the honey and "slowly, very slowly" heated up my, sure to "heal the world mix," and actually got it in quart jars (yes, plural, because I was making some for a friend and I do have 7 children and 26 grandchildren), without spilling too much. Put my jars in the basement, cleaned the floor and stove and rejoiced!

The next day I did a thorough cleaning of my fridge, you know, take out all the drawers and shelves and really scrub. It is not a job I enjoy doing. I FOUND ONE MORE BOTTLE! I had counted and counted. This seems to be a skill I am loosing.

Downstairs I went, to retrieve the bottles, pour all back in Jennifer's large pot, along with the forgotten bottle and "slowly, very slowly" warmed up the "mix," which I was now calling it, the entire time trying not to have negative thoughts. Once again, re bottled, carried downstairs to storage room, washed stove, pots and floor.

I have now shared with my children, given my friend hers and hoped I would never repeat this process.BUT, then again, we will be prepared for the Plague, should it come our way.