Make your own Fire Cider!

Fire Cider is a popular herbal folk remedy for colds and flu. I learned how to make Fire Cider from John Redden last fall and it's now one of my must haves in my kitchen medicine cabinet, along with Garlic Honey (recipe coming next week). I have a few tbs a day when I feel a cold coming on to reduce it's life span. It's a great way to boost your immune system.

It's extremely simple to make, you just need a few immune boosting ingredients! I recommend buying organic, if possible.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup freshly chopped horseradish root

1/2 cup freshly chopped ginger root

10 -14 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, chopped or 1/4 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper

1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

1-2 tbsp turmeric

organic apple cider vinegar

raw, local honey to taste

1 L mason jar

1. Prepare all of your ingredients. Chop everything! I wore gloves to save my hands.

2. Place all your ingredients (except apple cider vinegar + honey) into a quart sized jar. Pour apple cider vinegar into the jar.

3. Place parchment paper over the opening of the jar, before securing your lid on top. *this prevents rusting due to the vinegar content.*

4. Shake your jar well. Store in a dark, cool place for a month.

5. Remember to shake your jar daily!

6. After one month, your Fire Cider is ready! Use a cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidy goodness as you can from the pulp while straining.

7. Next comes the honey. Add 1/4 cup of honey and stir until incorporated. Taste your cider and add another 1/4 cup until you reach the desired sweetness.

*You can always add more herbs to your own Fire Cider. The base is onion, horseradish, ginger, and garlic. Add any herbs or herbs you have growing in your garden.

Dose: Take when you first feel a cold coming on. You can take several tsp or tbs daily. I suggest diluting it in water and taking it as a shot. You can also use this vinegar to make an immune boosting salad dressing, add it into meals whenever it calls for vinegar.

You can also use this vinegar to make an immune boosting salad dressing, and add it to meals whenever it calls for vinegar.

Enjoy! Colds beware, this stuff is potent!