Time truly has a way of slipping through our fingers, doesn't it? We waved goodbye to the Oregon summer in the blink of an eye, and now the autumn winds are whispering that winter is on its way. And you know what that means – it's the perfect time to fortify our defenses and give our immune systems the support they deserve. The good news? You can do it all by raiding into your kitchen pantry!
Allow me to introduce you to Fire Cider – a venerable tradition in the realm of herbal folk medicine, revived with modern vigor thanks to Rosemary Gladstar. This tonic isn't your ordinary concoction; it's an age-old remedy that's as flexible as it is powerful. Folk medicine is my type of medicine because you can practically fly by the seat of your pants and create recipes as the mood directs you - I am horrible at strictly following recipes. I often wonder how I and my lab partners survived organic chemistry lab as even then I just didn't have it in me to 100% follow the directions/recipe.
The herbal magic behind Fire Cider is all about blending pungent aromatic herbs with vitamin C-packed fruits. Think garlic, onions, peppers, ginger – you get the drift. But don't feel boxed in; this is a remedy that thrives on flexibility. Swap, skip, and toss in whatever tickles your taste buds. There is great redundancy in this recipe with the pungent aromatic herbs, so you have the freedom to play with the ingredients, adapting the recipe to your personal tastes and what's readily available.
Pungent herbs are the warming and spicy herbs that get your blood (and heat) moving, such as cayenne and jalapeno peppers, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, mustard, nutmeg, rosemary, thyme, sage, etc. Many of the pungent herbs also help support a healthy digestive system and help balance blood sugars. The vitamin C-rich fruits are added in to balance the flavor as well as add additional nutrition and more immune support.
If you are interested in going in-depth on your learning of Fire Cider, check out Rosemary's book, Fire Cider! 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar
Use Fire Cider Daily Fire Cider is a traditional tonic you can make inexpensively at home and drink a bit little daily. It's a super immune system booster! Fire Cider is spicy, so for kids, it's probably a good idea to dilute it in another drink, like broth or water. You can also adjust the recipe a bit, to tone down the spice.
Fire Cider can be taken straight by the spoonful (this can be a little harsh on your tooth enamel), added to a glass of water or veggie juice, or get creative and use as a salad dressing, or as a marinade. After straining off the solids, they can be put into your compost pile or saved to be mixed with mustard to create a sandwich spread, used in a stew, or mixed with shredded veggies (carrots, cabbage, broccoli, etc.) to make a delicious stir-fry or homemade spring rolls.
While you can find pre-made Fire Cider on the market, it might burn a hole in your wallet. Making your own is not only easy but also budget-friendly. Here's a recipe for Fire Cider you can try. It takes several weeks to make, so start now, and keep a supply going.
Here is a base recipe to get you started, but note that you can be really flexible in how you make your own homemade Fire Cider. This recipe is to make about a half gallon of cider, but if you have never tasted Fire Cider before and you are not sure if you will like it, feel free to scale down the recipe to a sampler size.
Ingredients
1 large chopped onion, red is preferred, but use what you like
3 heads garlic, peeled and chopped
1 organic lemon with peel, sliced
½ cup fresh ginger root, chopped or grated, can sub with powdered ginger
½ cup fresh turmeric root, chopped or grated, can sub with powdered turmeric
¼ cup fresh horseradish root, chopped or grated
¼ cup fresh or dried thyme aerial parts, chopped
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
A few fresh cayenne or jalapeño peppers (depending on how spicy you want your fire cider, you might use more peppers, or omit them altogether—it’s better to err on the side of caution because you can always make it spicier later!)
Raw apple cider vinegar
Raw honey (to taste)
Half-gallon mason jar
Directions
Place all ingredients except honey in a half-gallon glass jar, and cover it with raw apple cider vinegar. Be sure to cover the herbs by at least a few inches.
Remember that vinegar is an acid and will corrode metal, so it is best to cut a square of waxed paper and cover the mouth of the jar before tightly capping it with a lid or use a plastic lid.
Store in a dark cupboard for a few weeks, shaking the jar daily.
After 3 weeks, your fire cider will pack a healthy punch.
At this point, you can strain out the herbs from the liquid, but another option is to blend the whole batch in a blender, place it all back in a lidded jar, and let it sit for an additional week (without shaking for the last few days to let the ingredients settle) before pouring off the liquid.
Add raw honey to taste (start with about ⅓ cup), may need to warm the mixture gently to be able to incorporate the honey, and bottle.
Don’t forget to label it!
If you are using it to prevent illness, consume one Tbsp daily, and if you are feeling like you may have caught a bug, then increase it to 1-2 Tbsp up to four times a day. Refrigerate and use within a year.
Some other great additions to consider for your Fire Cider recipe include:
cinnamon sticks
echinacea root, seed, or aerial parts
astragalus root
lavender flower buds
holy basil (tulsi)
sage
oregano
elder berries
cranberries
pomegranate seeds
blueberries
As the colder winds draw near and daylight grows shorter, let Fire Cider be your sidekick in this autumn and winter season. May your immune system be as strong as a superhero and your taste buds forever grateful for that spicy kick. Cheers to embracing the spice and keeping winter's woes at bay!
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