Fire Cider🔥: A Time-Honored Immune-Boosting Elixir
Fire Cider: A Time-Honored Immune-Boosting Elixir
As the weather turns colder and flu season approaches, fire cider is an ancient immune-supporting remedy worth incorporating into your wellness routine. This potent tonic is a blend of accessible kitchen herbs, vegetables, and spices, steeped in apple cider vinegar to create a healthful elixir that has been used for centuries to support the immune system.
A Bit of History
Fire cider’s origins date back to traditional folk medicine, with modern herbalist Rosemary Gladstar popularizing the recipe in the 1980s. It’s a blend of ingredients known for their warming, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Over the years, it has been cherished as a natural remedy for colds, flu, and general immune support.
The Ingredients
Fire cider is made with a variety of ingredients that have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immune stimulating, antioxidant rich, and digestive aiding properties. Feel free to adjust the recipe to suit your taste and what you have on hand, but some common ingredients include:
Roots: Ginger, turmeric, horseradish
Vegetables: Garlic, onion, jalapeño peppers
Citrus fruits such as lemon
Herbs: Rosemary, oregano, thyme
Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cayenne
It’s ideal to use organic herbs in your fire cider to avoid pesticide exposure, ensuring the purest form of medicinal benefits.
Making Fire Cider
To prepare, chop your ingredients and place them in a large jar. Cover the mixture with apple cider vinegar and use a square of parchment paper between the jar and lid to prevent oxidation and rusting. Let it steep for 3-4 weeks in a dark place, and shake it to mix daily. After the steeping period, strain the mixture and store the liquid in a clean jar. Stir in local raw honey, adding the amount to your taste preference.
Storage & Use
Fire cider keeps for 6 months to a year in the fridge. For daily immune support, take a shot of this sweet and spicy brew. It’s a simple and effective way to bolster your body’s defenses during the colder months.
Fire cider is a fantastic addition to your natural medicine cabinet—simple to make, versatile, and a timeless remedy for immune health.