The winter months are creeping closer as our last days of summer approach. Our gardens are bursting with the abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables and in the back of our minds the thoughts of colder weather make us aware of needed preparations.
The summer is the perfect time of year to make your medicinal remedies before the cold season arrives. One such remedy, and certainly a remedy I will never go through the winter without, is fire cider.
For generations, the deep healing of fresh roots, herbs, and vinegar have warmed our bellies and shunned the onslaught of colds in the form of tasty fire cider. Its robust and spicy flavor will nourish and support your body through the worst of colds. Whether you have a fever, congestion, or a sore throat, this tried and true remedy will have you back to normal in no time.
Fire Cider- The Remedy I’ll Never be Without
What is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is a vinegar herbal infusion that extracts the medicinal qualities of whatever herb, root, or spice you throw into it. I personally think it tastes great, but those of you who are not pickle fans may disagree, but don’t let that stop you from making this amazing remedy! There are many ways to sneak it so that you’ll hardly notice it.
The Benefits-
Fire cider is highly antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal making it perfect to use against all colds and flus. Its ability to increase white blood cells, circulation, and waste removal allow it to quickly rid the body of uncomfortable symptoms.
I have used it successfully against bronchitis, sinusitis, seasonal allergies, digestive upset, colds hands and feet, fever, and all manner of colds and flus.
Here’s how to take it-
• Colds and Flu– take a spoonful every 1-2 hours straight or in a tea until symptoms cease
• Sore Throat– mix equal parts fire cider and raw local honey and take every ½-1 hour
• Allergies– take a spoonful of fire cider daily to help prevent allergies (and colds!)
• Congestion in the Lungs and Sinuses– take a spoonful every few hours in tea or bone broth
• Digestion– take a spoonful before meals
• Sleepiness– take a shot to wake up your senses!
How to Make Fire Cider
I’m going to give you a simple recipe that really packs a punch.
Here’s what You’ll Need-
• Enough raw apple cider vinegar
• ½- ¾ cup of ginger root (scrub it clean)
• 1 head of garlic
• 2-3 TB fresh rosemary
• 2 TB coriander seeds
• 2 fresh cayenne peppers (or some really spicy jalapenos)
• 1 medium sized onion
• ¼ cup fresh horse radish (make sure it’s scrubbed clean or peeled)
Loving Preparation-
• Grate the horse radish, onion, and ginger
• Crush or chop the garlic cloves
• Slice the cayenne/jalapenos in half
• Bruise or chop the fresh rosemary
• Crush the coriander seeds
• Throw everything into a pint size jar
• Keep the fire cider in a cool dark place where you won’t forget to shake it once a day
• Age for 4 weeks
• Strain and bottle
The finished product should have a nice kick to it.
Optional Ingredients for Super Fire Cider-
• ½-3/4 cup of fresh turmeric root (you can use powdered
• Burdock root
• Leeks, green onions, shallots
• Tasty herbs like thyme, savory, parsley, dill, marjoram, basil, oregano, etc (fresh is best! but you can get the highest quality dried herbs HERE if you want dried)
• Orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit peel
• A handful of sun dried tomatoes
• Medicinal herbs like Schisandra Berry
• Astragalus
• Hibiscus
• Rosehips
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Peppercorns
• Mustard Seed
• Raw local honey
The list goes on and on! Don’t be afraid to experiment!
- • Enough raw apple cider vinegar (I like Braggs) to fill a large jar. You may need more to top it off!
- • ½- ¾ cup of ginger root (scrub it clean)
- • 1 head of garlic
- • 2-3 TB fresh rosemary
- • 2 TB coriander seeds
- • 2 fresh cayenne peppers (or some really spicy jalapenos)
- • 1 medium sized onion
- • ¼ cup fresh horse radish (make sure it’s scrubbed clean or peeled)
- Grate the horse radish, onion, and ginger
- Crush or chop the garlic cloves
- Slice the cayenne/jalapenos in half
- Bruise or chop the fresh rosemary
- Crush the coriander seeds
- Throw everything into a pint size jar with a plastic lid and top it off with raw apple cider vinegar
- Keep the fire cider in a cool dark place where you won’t forget to shake it once a day
- Age for 4 weeks
- Strain and bottle
- The finished product should have a nice kick to it.
- Optional Ingredients for Super Fire Cider-
- ½-3/4 cup of fresh turmeric root (you can use powdered)
- Burdock root
- Leeks, green onions, shallots
- Tasty herbs like thyme, savory, parsley, dill, marjoram, basil, oregano, etc (fresh is best! but you can get all of these herbs HERE if you want dried)
- Orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit peel
- A handful of sun dried tomatoes
- Medicinal herbs like Schisandra Berry, hawthorn, or Elder Berries
- Astragalus/ginseng root
- Hibiscus/Elder flowers
- Rosehips
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Peppercorns
- Mustard Seed
- Raw local honey
How to Use Fire Cider-
These are some simple ways to incorporate fire cider into your daily life. Simply add it to-
• Salad dressings
• Sauces
• Marinades
• Soups and stews
• Stir fry
• In your mug of homemade bone broth
• In your mug of cold and flu tea
• Add it to your wellness shot
• Over beans, greens, and veggies
• By the spoonful
I’m sure there are many other ways to use this awesome remedy! I know that I sure can’t live without it!
What are some of the ways you use fire cider?
For more great fire cider recipes check out the posts below:
Roselle Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider and the Medicine and Cultivation of Hibiscus
How To Make Fire Cider (all natural cold and flu remedy)
Fire Cider, and other stories.
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