Of course, here in the northern hemisphere, it’s the time of year again with so many viruses and other yucky bugs going around. It’s a great time to get your household Fire Cider going! You may have heard of fire cider but have you ever made it? If you’re looking for a Fire Cider Recipe you’ve come to the right place!
Fire Cider Ingredients on a Cutting Board
Fire cider is a traditional herbal remedy that goes back many centuries. Herbalists have been making it for decades to support the immune systems and health of their families and communities. Rosemary Gladstar first coined the name fire cider in her recipe for this oxymel in the 1970s, as it is meant to “light your fires” . There is no one recipe for fire cider, it’s only limited to your imagination. The main idea is to use warming, herbs and spices with immune supportive, and antibacterial and antiviral properties.
As the name suggests, this is a blend of fiery roots and herbs including onions, garlic, ginger, (and more) that is infused in apple cider vinegar. After several weeks it is strained and bottled with honey, to taste. You then take this daily as an immune tonic or when you feel symptoms coming on.
Free Fire Cider
A few years back an herbal company, that has since gone out of business, trademarked the term fire cider and started to sue small herbal businesses who were making and selling fire cider in their own communities. Herbalists were having to get creative renaming their blends and it became harder to market fire cider under names such as “Inferno Vinegar” (eyeroll).
The “Fire Cider 3”, Kathi Langelier of Herbal Revolution, Mary Blue of Farmacy Herbs and Nicole Telkes of Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine, along with Rosemary Gladstar fought back against this lawsuit in court for several years and ended up winning the case! Fire Cider is indeed a generic term and everyone is free to use call this remedy by its rightful name: fire cider, no matter how you make it. And the basic recipe is free to all! You can read more about the Free Fire Cider story here.
Hardly a recipe, more of a method
Fire Cider
The basic recipe is as follows. It’s hardly a recipe though, more of a method. Just chop/shred everything- onion, horseradish, garlic, ginger, cayenne then let it macerate in apple cider vinegar for a few weeks, strain and add honey. You can use just these ingredients, a combination of whatever you have/can get easily, or any substitutions or additions you want. You can include medicinal herbs like adaptogens or bitters, culinary herbs thyme or rosemary, citrus, turmeric, jalapeno, pomegranate. –The possibillibilites are literally endless!
To Enjoy Fire Cider
Enjoy a few tablespoons or a shot (about 1.5 oz) every day as a preventative tonic.
Fire Cider Macerating
Take a teaspoon each hour at first sign of depressed resistance.
My favorite way to incorporate it into my diet is is to use it as a salad dressing along with olive oil, mustard, salt and pepper, and various dried herbs. An whole different type of vinaigrette! I also add unsweetened Fire Cider to my special Chili recipe that I will get published on the blog one of these days soon! (but for now you can find it HERE).
Fire Cider makes a great gift for the holiday season. It is thoughtful, handmade, practical, and something that shows you truly care about their health. Packaged in a nice bottle with some ribbon or twine is so cute and unique.
Be sure to get your Fire Cider started now and enjoy it by the new year! If you make Fire Cider be sure to post a picture and tag me on social media!
Click Here For A Direct Link to the Recipe Card
Lindsay has been practicing herbalism and holistic nutrition since 2010. Click HERE to read more about Lindsay and how to work with her!
