My Favorite Detox, Anti-Bloat, Immunity Boosting Elixir

If you haven’t already read my blog post on my eating disorder and self-love, it gives some context on the phase of life I was in when this elixir came into my life. You can check it out [here].

Around the time I started moving my body gently, actually eating full meals, and practicing mindfulness, I was also deep in health-related content on Instagram and Pinterest. Thankfully, it wasn’t the toxic, diet-culture kind. It was the kind that made me realize, "Oh, my body just needs the right tools to function optimally—I didn’t have to be suffering all this time!"

This recipe originally came from Yovana Mendoza Ayres around 2015 (though I can’t find the exact source now), but I did track down this YouTube video that outlines three similar elixirs for digestion and metabolism support. Don’t let the title turn you off—I’m sure it was just for SEO. The version I’m about to share is a mix of those teas plus some tweaks I picked up along the way.

Originally, this was meant to be a post-dinner, pre-bedtime drink to aid digestion and eliminate morning bloat. And let me tell you—it worked. I’d wake up feeling light and bloat-free, even after the most indulgent meals.

Then my "more is more" mindset kicked in.

I figured, if this drink is so full of good-for-you ingredients, why not have it daily? So instead of drinking it as needed, I started chugging it every morning with breakfast (mostly to get it over with, because let’s be honest—it’s not exactly delicious).

And here’s what happened:

• Regular digestion. Like clockwork.

• Clear, glowing skin.

• More energy.

• Zero bloating—ever.

• Long, shiny hair.

• An immune system made of steel.

• A metabolism that actually felt efficient.

SO WHAT’S THE RECIPE, SUZY?!

Every morning, mix:

• 8 ounces warm water

• Juice of half a lemon

• A squeeze of honey

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (with the mother)

• 1 dash cinnamon

• 3 dashes turmeric

• A pinch of black pepper

• 2 dashes cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or 2 drops Young Living’s Ginger Vitality essential oil)

Then, CHUG THAT SHIT.

I highly recommend making this part of your daily health routine. But if not, at least drink it three times a day at the first sign of sickness until all symptoms subside. Can’t handle a full eight ounces? Use just one ounce of water instead (but don’t go straight apple cider vinegar—that’s a crime against your throat).

No, it’s not pleasant. But you will get used to it. And trust me—it’s worth it.

WHY EACH INGREDIENT MATTERS

• Lemon – Packed with vitamin C to boost immunity, fight infections, balance pH, aid digestion, reduce bloating, detox the liver, and clear skin.

• Honey – Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and full of antioxidants. Supports immunity, gut health, digestion, and energy levels while helping stabilize blood sugar.

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Boosts metabolism, digestion, and gut health while regulating blood sugar, reducing bloating, detoxing, and clearing skin.

• Cinnamon – Stabilizes blood sugar, curbs cravings, improves circulation, and reduces bloating with its anti-inflammatory and digestion-boosting properties.

• Turmeric – Thanks to curcumin, it fights inflammation, supports metabolism and digestion, detoxes the liver, boosts immunity, and clears skin.

• Black Pepper – Enhances turmeric absorption by 2,000 percent, making it a digestion, metabolism, and inflammation-fighting powerhouse.

• Cayenne Pepper – Kicks up metabolism, aids digestion, reduces bloating, and boosts circulation for better skin and energy.

• Ginger – The digestion queen. Soothes bloating, boosts metabolism, supports immunity, and reduces inflammation.

You’re welcome in advance.