Now that the cooler weather is here, I wanted to share an amazing Fire Cider Recipe with you. Fire Cider is a traditional folk remedy to warm the body and stimulate the immune system. It can be used to ward off cold and flu, aid the digestive system, warm the body during cold months, improve circulation, and much more.  Some people use it as a salad dressing, some take it as a shot whenever they feel the need. Since it is a home remedy, you can use it any way you see fit, or that your body tells you to. It has been used for hundreds of years and re-popularized in the 70’s by the lovely, kind and brilliant herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

I want to extend a huge dose of gratitude to some fellow herbalists for spending the last five years in a legal battle to defend our rights to make Fire Cider, and call it Fire Cider.  Rosemary Gladstar, Nicole Telkes of Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine, Mary Blue of Farmacy Herbs, and Kathi Langelier of Herbal Revolution were sued by a small company that had trademarked this common term that had been used for many many years.  The ladies fought a long hard battle so that we can all use this term, and keep the medicine for the people! I am so grateful to them for their hard work, tireless hours, and dedication to this cause.  You can learn more about this whole case at https://freefirecider.com/

I have been teaching people in my community how to make their own Fire Cider since 2013. I love teaching and sharing this information! It’s important that we all spread this knowledge and empower one another to make our own remedies within our own homes. So, should you fall in love with this awesome home remedy, and feel the draw to teach those in your community how to make Fire Cider, please do! This is the People's Medicine!

Now back to how we make this amazing stuff. One of the great things about making fire cider is that there’s really no right or wrong way to do it.  You can get creative and have fun with it. You can mix and match herbs. If you don’t have something fresh available, you can use dried versions. Is there another flavor you desire out of your fire cider?  Go ahead and add it in. Don’t like something on this list, take it out. Do you think there’s too much of a certain herb and not enough of another? Really, you can make it your own creation! I’ve added a list of other beneficial herbs that you may want to put into your very own fire cider creation.  It’s very important to remember that you MUST have fun while making your own Fire Cider! Do it with an Open Heart & an Open Mind! Then go ahead and teach someone you love or admire how to make their own fire cider! Let’s spread the Cider like WildFire!

Fire Cider Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup fresh ginger chopped: warming, immune stimulant, circulatory stimulant, antibacterial, antiviral
• ½ cup fresh horseradish root chopped: circulatory stimulant, warming, immune stimulant, decongestant, digestion 
• 1 onion chopped: respiratory decongestant contains sulfur (beneficial to the immune system) 
• 1 bulb of garlic chopped: antiviral, antibacterial, circulatory stimulant 
• ½  orange chopped: vitamin C, Yummy! 
• A pinch of cayenne pepper: warming circulatory stimulant, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulant, expectorant

Directions

1. Place all of the above ingredients in a glass jar
2. Add apple cider vinegar to fill the jar
3. Place the lid on the jar and store it in a warm place that you’re likely to visit daily.  It’s nice to be able to shake the jar daily to help the herbs macerate and to share the love with the medicine you’re making.
4. Allow the preparation to sit for 3-4 weeks. Many people will prepare their Fire Cider on a full moon, and bury it in a special place until it’s time to strain it
5. Strain the herbs, & reserve the liquid
6. Add honey to your desired liking

Store it in a cool place, preferably your refrigerator, or a dark cupboard

I think it’s absolutely wonderful to make your own medicine exactly how you like it, or to just be able to get creative with what you’ve got on hand. So, I’ve listed a few things down below that you might consider adding to your own Fire Cider, and what health benefits they can provide for you!

Turmeric: Warming, anti-inflammatory, circulatory stimulant, aids digestion, joint pain, endless benefits!

Echinacea: Immune stimulant, lymph mover, antibacterial, circulatory stimulant, anti-inflammatory

Rosehips: Antioxidants HIGH vitamin C & A, flavonoids, immune strengthener  

Astragalus: Sweet, warming, moistening, immune stimulant, antioxidant, liver protector 

Thyme: Great for coughs, congestion, & sore throat, warming, circulatory stimulant, antibacterial, antiviral   

Rosemary: Improves memory & brain function, a strong antioxidant, warming, antibacterial, diaphoretic

Black Pepper: Warming digestive, increases nutrient absorption, diaphoretic, antimicrobial, expectorant 

Beets: loaded with many beneficial nutrients!  And they’re so pretty!  

Jalapeño: Hot, spicy, flavorful, warming, Vitamin C, B’s, & E, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, & so much more! 

Lemon: Vitamin C, great flavor,  soothes a sore throat, cooling, anti-inflammatory 

Cinnamon: Warming, tasty, digestive aid, circulatory stimulant (cold hands and feet?), clears stagnation

Oregano: Antioxidants, immune support, antifungal, antibacterial, high in Vitamin A, b6, C, E, & K and is anti-viral

Looking for more help with your digestive health? 

Love learning about herbs? 

Ready to take a class with me? Join me in this free class about the 5 Most Essential Herbs for Your Natural Medicine Chest. Click here to get signed up!