Fire Cider is a traditional folk remedy used to combat colds and flus that has been passed down for centuries of generations of grandmothers. It used to be a common household staple over a century ago, but then slowly almost slipped through the cracks of time in the 20th century, as modern medicine and visits to the doctor became more prevalent.
Thankfully, it came back on the scene once again in the late 1970’s through the writings and teachings of Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, when she coined the term “Fire Cider” to describe this preventative remedy.
Fire Cider is prepared like a tincture made with vinegar that is infused with your choice of spicy herbs, peppers and roots. Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is recommended as the menstruum or infusing agent. Common ingredients are garlic, onion or chives, ginger, horseradish, your favorite variety of hot pepper, rosemary, etc. You can also add honey, lemon, oregano, thyme, turmeric, black pepper, nettle, burdock root or any of your favorite medicinal herbs.
Since this is a folk remedy, there are no specific measurements and you can personalize it to your taste, needs and fancy! It was traditionally meant to be made in every household with whatever they had growing or whatever could be found locally, making it very accessible.
Here is a basic modern-day Fire Cider recipe that you can start with:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup fresh chopped or grated ginger root or half that amount powdered
- ½ cup fresh grated horseradish root
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 10 cloves of garlic, crushed or chopped
- 2 cayenne peppers, chopped
- 1-2 Tbsp rosemary leaf
- 2 Tbsp fresh turmeric or 1 Tbsp powdered Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
- Half gallon jar
optional:
- ¼ cup raw local honey to taste optional:
- 1 lemon or 1 orange, chopped with peel included
- Nettle leaf, burdock or dandelion root
Prepare all of the ingredients and place them into a half gallon jar, minus the honey if you are choosing to add it.
Completely cover ingredients with apple cider vinegar. Use a piece of natural parchment paper or wax paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal.
Shake daily.
Stain after 3-6 weeks using a metal strainer lined with cheesecloth or a very fine mesh strainer.
Add honey at the end, stirring in until your fire cider reaches your desired sweetness.
Bottle in an airtight container and enjoy this fantastic traditional remedy!
Disclaimer:
*Keep out of direct sunlight and heat. Does not require refrigeration.
The purpose of this remedy is not only to boost the immune system and ward off colds, but also as a digestive and circulatory tonic. It helps your body feel warm on those chilly winter days. It’s also a fantastic way to perk up if you need some energy. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and decongestant properties.
Apple cider vinegar in itself is a digestive tonic and has many medicinal benefits, such as helping to balance the PH of your body, as well as blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Take a teaspoon of fire cider every few hours at the first sign of feeling run down. Since vinegar can have such a potent smell, this versatile remedy can be translated into an oil blend to use for external, antiseptic purposes. The modern-day oil version is simply a blend of several essential oils that are known for their infection-fighting properties.
The five essential oils most commonly used in modern blends are clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Other antibacterial essential oils that can be used are tea tree, oregano, thyme, sage, lavender, juniper berry, hyssop or bay laurel. Keep in mind that the oil version must be diluted before using straight on your skin, since the essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause irritation. It is especially good to use in an oil diffuser to purify the air, to add to a natural hand sanitizer, as an anti-dandruff remedy, to add to a foot soak to combat foot/ nail fungus, or to add into homemade cleaning products for extra disinfecting power.
One of the best ways to incorporate fire cider into your daily life is to use it in your food. It makes a zesty salad dressing when mixed with a little olive oil and it is great added into veggie juice, rice, stir fries, or on your eggs in the morning. You can add it into anything savory to add a little “kick!” You can also add it to your cocktails such as a bloody Mary or margarita.