Fire Cider

It's that time of year again.... cold and flu season. I have been on the hunt for something to have for my family that utilizes the natural power of herbs and vegetable to help keep us healthy. This is where fire cider comes into play

In doing my reasearch, I found that there are umteen ways to make this particular tonic. To make this herbal fire cider recipe, I decided to use the folk herbalism method. I am using two different recipies to make my own.

But first, what exact is fire cider? Fire cider is a traditional tonic that is stock full of immune-boosting herbs and ingredients. Typically, it’s very spicy and warming and made before cold and flu season which is in the winter. The combination of immune-boosting herbs and ingredients helps to prepare ones body for the extra ailments that seem to come during this season. The spicy qualities of the fire cider come from warming ingredients. These ingredients are essential for increase the potency of the tonic as well as the heating qualities which also warm the body. Your body will be physically soothed by the warming effects of the cider. As a reminder, fire cider can be made literally hundreds of different ways and through many different methods.

What is Folk Herbalism?

Folk herbalism is a traditional practice that is typically used by beginner herbalists. The methods are is since it’s a simple technique and method to follow. According to Herbal Academy, when practicing folk herbalism, “there is no difficult math involved, you use what you have on hand, and no extra equipment is needed”. This method makes it easy for beginner (and advanced) herbalists to quickly make high-quality, healthy recipes, easily and effectively.

Common starting point

Most fire cider recipies all have an essitail starting point of ingredients: horseradish, oranges, jalapeños, onions, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. The most prominent flavor in the fire cider is the horseradish, seeing as it is extremely potent and spicy. Because horseradish is naturally an anti-bacterial, it makes it an essential ingredient for this tonic.

To make the herbal fire cider, you simply chop, slice, grate or smash your ingredients. Place them in an air tight glass container, I used this one, then infuse them with apple cider vinegar. Now you want to set your jar aside in a dark and cool location for at least two weeks. Ideally you would want your tonic to sit for at least a month. The longer your tonic has the ability to "marinate" the better. I guess you could say that it only gets better with time!

How does it help?

Fire cider is known for its immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. While there aren’t any scientific studies specifically on fire cider benefits that have been able to be found, there are known benefits to many of the ingredients common to moat fire cider recipes. Most fire cider recipes are a potent blend of some of nature’s most powerful herbs, such as rosemary, garlic, ginger, and turmeric.

Conditions found to benefit from properties in fire cider ingredients- listed alphabetically by ailment:

· Antibacterial

· Antifungal

· Anti-inflammatory

· Antioxidant

· Antiviral

· Atherosclerosis prevention

· Autoimmune disorders

· Blood cholesterol, lowers blood cholesterol

· Blood pressure, lowers high blood pressure

· Cholesterol:

· LDL oxidation (low-density cholesterol)

· Raise HDL (high density cholesterol)

· Circulation boosting

· Decongestant

· Digestive health

· Energizes the body

· Fights cancer

· Immune boosting

· Inflammation

· Pain reduction

· Plaque reduction from arteries

· Rheumatoid arthritis

Meanwhile here’s some good information from Debra Maslowski on DIYnatural.com, on why Fire Cider should be in your medicine cabinet, whether you make your own or buy it.

https://youtu.be/JU8U0bDmXks

How much should I take?

Some people, like Crystal Hamby, faculty member in the Bastyr University Department of Botanical Medicine says she takes two tablespoons twice daily. If she feels an illness coming on she takes 1 teaspoon every hour.

IMPORTANT: this is NOT prescriptive. We’re sharing what we and others are doing.

• 1 Tbsp. twice daily for ongoing immune booster

• 1 tsp. ever hour if feeling ill or exposed to illness

Here are some additional ways to take fire cider as well:

• Add to lemonade or orange juice

• Mix with hot water and some extra honey to make a tea

• Use in place of vinegar in salad dressings and condiments

• Drizzle on steamed vegetables or sautéed greens

• Use in marinades for meat and tofu

• Add to soups or chilis (this one sounds like my favorite for the colder seasons)

The recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 orange

• 1 pomengrate

• 2-3 cups of apple cider vinegar

• 1-2 cup of honey

• 1 jalapeno - including seeds

• 1 onion

• 1/2 cup grated horseradish root

• 1 lime

• 1 lemon

• 1-2 inches of grated ginger

• 1-2 inches fresh turmeric root (see notes below)

• 2 tablespoons of rose hips

• 2 tablespoons of elderberries (see notes below)

• 1-2 sprigs of thyme

• 1/2 sprigs of rosemary

• 1-2 sprigs oregano

• 6-8 cloves of garlic

• pinch of black pepper

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions Chop and grate vegetables, fruits, and roots such as horseradish, ginger, and turmeric.

1. Add ingredients to a 64-ounce glass jar (I found a really good deal on these glass jars)

2. Pour apple cider vinegar over the ingredients

3. Now this is where you shake shake shake!!

4. Let sit for 4-6 weeks (you'll want to shake/mix your tonic every other day)

5. Strain through a cheesecloth and strainer.

6. Store in a glass bottle.

7. Drink 1-2 tablespoons a day.

Notes

1. I decided I wanted to make a big batch of this to last up to 6-8 months therefore I use a 64-ounce glass jar all the way up to 84 ounces glass jar, depending on what I have available at the time.

2. To be on the safe side you can boil the elderberries for 10 minutes before placing them into apple cider vinegar. This helps to release any toxic matter that you may be worried about.

3. Serving size will vary depending on the size of your jar.

4. For the greatest assimilation of turmeric, it needs to be consumed with oil, so you need to either add 1/4 cup of castor or olive oil to your fire cider, or, take it with a teaspoon of oil when you take it. If you tend towards constipation, use castor oil. If you are sensitive to laxatives use olive oil. Both of these oils have powerful health properties.

If you make your own please share your tips and tricks in the comments below! I'd also love to see any picture and recipe adaptations you made as well.

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