Fire Cider is a traditional remedy with deep roots in folk medicine. The tasty combination of vinegar infused with powerful anti-microbial, decongestant, and spicy circulatory movers makes this recipe especially pleasant and easy to incorporate into your daily diet to help boost natural immune system processes, stimulate digestion, and get you nice and warmed up on cold days.
Because this is a folk preparation, the ingredients can change from year to year depending on when you make it and what’s growing around you. The standard base ingredients are apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers, but there are plenty of other herbs that can be thrown in for added kick.
Fire Cider
Author: Rosemary Gladstar
Ingredients
½ cup fresh grated or chopped organic ginger root
½ cup fresh grated or chopped organic horseradish root
1 medium organic onion, chopped
10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped
2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 organic lemon, sliced
½ organic orange, sliced
1 tbsp organic turmeric powder
¼ tsp organic cayenne powder
organic apple cider vinegar
raw local honey to taste
optional: Rosehips, Rosemary, Astragalus, Peppercorns, Grapefruit/Lime Zest
Instructions
Prepare all of your roots, fruits, and herbs and place them in a quart sized jar. If you’ve never grated fresh horseradish, be prepared for a powerful sinus opening experience! Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid if you have one. Shake well!
Store in a dark, cool place for one month and remember to shake daily.
After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquid goodness as you can from the pulp while straining. Next, comes the honey! Add ¼ cup of honey and stir until incorporated. Taste your cider and add another ¼ cup until you reach the desired sweetness.
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Laureen Wallravin is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Founder of Relished Foods. She works to balance and heal the body with a diet based on real food. Learn more about Laureen and her practice here.
Recipe/Information credit: Rosemary Gladstar and Mountain Rose Herbs
