Fire Cider

It’s fall, and this means it is time to start thinking of immune-boosting remedies.  We can not talk about Fire Cider and not talk about Rosemary Gladstar.  If you haven’t heard of her, I would look her up.  She is one of the top herbalists that everyone should know.  She has many books, and videos on Youtube where she shares her wisdom.  

Around 1980 Rosemary Gladstar came up with this Fire Cider.  This is a remedy that she so generously shares with everyone and encourages everyone to make it their own.  She even wrote a book with other herbalists a few years ago, all about Fire Cider.   Fire Cider has become a staple in most herbalists' households.   

Fire Cider is a liquid that most people will take a shot every day to boost the immune system.  You can also add it to salads for a dressing.  

Fire cider is great for when everything is cold and damp.  It helps to bring that heat back.  

Let's talk about the main ingredients in Fire Cider:

• Horseradish is packed with nutrients, so it’s going to help to nourish the body.  It is a natural antibacterial.  Decreases mucus.  Increases circulation.  Boosts the immune system, because of it being a powerful antioxidant that stimulates white blood cells.  

• Onion is also packed with nutrients, like vitamin C, B1, B6, biotin, folic acid, and vitamin K.  Onion is known for producing a compound that causes the bronchial muscle to relax.  

• Garlic was nicknamed the “cure all” many many years ago.  It is packed with vitamin C, B6, calcium, potassium, iron, and copper.  Garlic has antimicrobial,  antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are helpful for not only boosting the immune system but also while struggling with a cold or flu.  

• Ginger has antiviral, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties.  This herb/root is also known to help with nausea of any kind.  

• Cayenne Pepper is packed with vitamin C.  It opens up circulation and gets everything in the body moving, including the immune system.  

• Apple Cider Vinegar can help with things like a sore throat, stuffy nose, and fever. 

• Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.  Honey helps with coughs and sore throats, as it coats everything going down.  

Those are the main ingredients for Fire Cider, but there are so many other things you can add to it.  I love adding oranges, turmeric, rosemary, and thyme.  You can also add things like lemons, rosehip, and elderberries. Echinacea, oregano, and so many other ingredients.  I have also seen a lot of herbalists replace the cayenne powder with jalapeno.  

Recipe:

Things you will need:

• 1 Jar, preferably Ball

• Either a plastic lid or parchment paper

• A sharp knife or a food processor

Ingredients: (There is no real measurement, you measure to fill the jar)

• Horseradish 

• Onion

• Garlic

• Ginger

• Cayenne Powder  

• Apple Cider Vinegar 

• Honey

Directions: 

1. Chop horseradish, onion, garlic, and ginger.  Sometimes I’ll just chop everything with a knife.  Sometimes I’ll use a food processor.   I encourage you to make this your own, so add any other ingredients you think would be good.  Fill the jar all the way up to the top with your ingredients.   

2. Add Cayenne Powder.  I am a person that doesn't do well with a lot of spice, so I don’t put a lot of cayenne powder in.  If you like spice, use your judgment. 

3. Fill the jar all the way to the top with Apple Cider Vinegar.  Put the lid on, and shake well.  Take the lid off, you will probably notice that the apple cider vinegar is no longer to the top.  So add more, filling all the way to the top again.  Add the lid again and shake again.  You should be good.  

   (Let’s talk about the lid really quickly.  I am not a fan of plastic, but in this situation, a plastic lid is best.  Apple cider vinegar will rust the metal lid, and rust in your Fire Cider isn’t a good thing.  If you don’t want to purchase plastic lids, you can cut a piece of parchment paper and put it in between the glass and lid.) 

4. Put your jar in a dark cool place for 4 - 6 weeks. Shake daily

5. When the 4 - 6 weeks are up, strain the all liquid into another jar.  

6. Add honey to liquid to taste.  

7. Keep refrigerated. 

8. Enjoy! 

Bonus:   Don’t want to waste the ingredients after they have been strained.  I got you!  A lot of herbalists like to dehydrate the ingredients.  When they are all dehydrated they powder them and use it as a seasoning.  

References:

Easley, T., & Horne, S. H. (2016). The modern herbal dispensatory: A medicine-making guide. North Atlantic Books.

Gladstar, Rosemary (2019). Fire Cider