The winter months are creeping closer as our last days of summer approach. Our gardens are bursting with the abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables, and in the back of our minds, the thoughts of colder weather make us aware of needed preparations.
The summer is the perfect time of year to make your medicinal remedies before the cold season arrives. One such remedy, and certainly a remedy I will never go through the winter without, is homemade fire cider.
For generations, the deep healing of fresh roots, herbs, and vinegar have warmed our bellies and shunned the onslaught of colds in the form of tasty fire cider. Its robust and spicy flavor will nourish and support your body through the worst of colds. Whether you have a fever, congestion, or a sore throat, this tried and true remedy will have you back to normal in no time.
How to Make Fire Cider - The Remedy I'll Never be Without
What is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is a vinegar herbal infusion that extracts the medicinal qualities of whatever herb, root, or spice you throw into it.
I personally think it tastes great, but those of you who are not pickle fans may disagree, but don’t let that stop you from making this amazing remedy! There are many ways to sneak it so that you’ll hardly notice it.
The Benefits
Fire cider is highly antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal making it perfect to use against all colds and flu. Its ability to increase white blood cells, circulation, and waste removal allow it to quickly rid the body of uncomfortable symptoms.
I have used it successfully against bronchitis, sinusitis, seasonal allergies, digestive upset, colds hands and feet, fever, and all manner of colds and flu.
Here’s how to take fire cider:
• Colds and Flu - take a spoonful every 1-2 hours straight or in a tea until symptoms cease
• Sore Throat - mix equal parts fire cider and raw local honey and take every ½-1 hour
• Allergies - take a spoonful of fire cider daily to help prevent allergies (and colds!)
• Congestion in the Lungs and Sinuses - take a spoonful every few hours in tea or bone broth
• Digestion - take a spoonful before meals
• Sleepiness - take a shot to wake up your senses!
Some other ideas include:
- As a wellness-shot - just fill a small shot glass and knock it back!
- In tea - add a TB to hot tea and sip away
- In broth - this is the tastiest way to take fire cider. Just add 1 TB to a mug of broth
- Add it to marinades - this is a sneaky yet tasty way to add fire cider to your daily routine
Taking 1-2 TB of fire cider daily during cold and flu season is a great preventative measure for staying well all season long.
How to Make Fire Cider
I’m going to give you a simple recipe that really packs a punch.
Here’s what You’ll Need
• Enough raw apple cider vinegar
(I like Braggs) to fill a large jar. You may need more to top it off!
• ½- ¾ cup of ginger root (scrub it clean)
• 1 head of garlic
• 2-3 TB fresh rosemary
• 2 TB coriander seeds
• 2 fresh cayenne peppers (or some really spicy jalapenos)
• 1 medium-sized onion
• ¼ cup fresh horseradish (make sure it’s scrubbed clean or peeled)
Loving Preparation - Fire Cider Recipe
• Grate the horseradish, onion, and ginger
• Crush or chop the garlic cloves
• Slice the cayenne/jalapenos in half
• Bruise or chop the fresh rosemary
• Crush the coriander seeds
• Throw everything into a pint-size jar
with a plastic lid
and top it off with raw apple cider vinegar
• Keep the fire cider in a cool dark place where you won’t forget to shake it once a day
• Age for 4 weeks
• Strain and bottle
The finished product should have a nice kick to it.
Optional Ingredients for Super Fire Cider
• ½-¾ cup of fresh turmeric root (you can use powdered
)
• Burdock root
• Leeks, green onions, shallots
• Tasty herbs like thyme, savory, parsley, dill, marjoram, basil, oregano, etc.
• Orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit peel
• A handful of sun-dried tomatoes
• Medicinal herbs like Schisandra Berry
, hawthorn, or Elder Berries
• Astragalus
/ginseng root
• Hibiscus
/Elderflowers
• Rosehips
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Peppercorns
• Mustard Seed
• Raw local honey
[yumprint-recipe id='75']How to Use Fire Cider
These are some simple ways to incorporate fire cider into your daily life. Simply add it to-
• Salad dressings
• Sauces
• Marinades
• Soups and stews
• Stir-fry
• In your mug of homemade bone broth
• In your mug of cold and flu tea
• Add it to your wellness shot
• Over beans, greens, and veggies
• By the spoonful
I’m sure there are many other ways to use this awesome remedy! I know that I sure can’t live without it!
What are some of the ways you use fire cider?
You may also enjoy reading:
How to Make Instant Fire Cider
DIY Elderberry Syrup for Cold and Flu – Potent, Quick, & Easy!
12 Ways to Feel Better During a Cold or Flu
Broad-Spectrum Essential Oil Blend for Cold and Flu
Roselle Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider and the Medicine and Cultivation of Hibiscus
How To Make Fire Cider (all natural cold and flu remedy)
Heather says
If I am pregnant and have small children should I leave out the rosemary? Is there something I should substitute with? is this something kids can take?
Tash says
Hi Heather!
Hmmm, that's a tough one! I know that it's unsafe to take rosemary in medicinal amounts, so I would think putting it in a fire cider recipe might constitute it as a "therapeutic dose". Just to be safe, I would avoid using rosemary in medicinal preparations while pregnant. You can never be too careful right?
Same may go for small children as well. You can read more on the topic for choosing safe herbs for children here. Otherwise my recipe is pretty simple and kid safe 🙂 You can of course add less spicy herbs as well if you desire.
Emily says
I've had fire cider before, but only a kefir version. I love it and it doesn't bother me, but some of my friends who have had it says it gives them upset stomach and loose bowels. Do you think that's the fermentation, or the spices?
Tash says
Hi Emily!
It could be both factors. How much do your friends use at one time? Some people are sensitive to fermented foods if they aren't used to them and some people are sensitive to spicy foods. The combo may be too much for some people. Sounds delicious to me though! 😉
Courtney says
I can't wait to give this a try, but I must ask...why a plastic lid, specifically?
Tash says
Hi Courtney!
The reason is because vinegar is very corrosive. If you use a metal lid, your fire cider will turn an icky black color with a metallic flavor. Pretty gross!
Ashley says
Do you leave it unopened for the "fermentation" month, or do you open it every once in awhile?
Tash says
Hi Ashley!
I leave it unopened unless I need to top it off with more apple cider vinegar during the month it's macerating =)
Judee @ Gluten Free A-Z Blog says
I am allergic to any kind of hot pepper. Can I leave it out, or is it ineffective without it.
Tash says
Hi Judee!
You can definitely make this without the hot peppers. Maybe you could sub more horse radish, onion, garlic, ginger, or add more black peppercorns? You will need some sort of spicy element for it to be warming, especially if you need it to help cut through yucky colds with a lot of mucus.
Hope this helps!
<3 Tash
G. says
By all means leave it out! You'll still get benefits. If need be, just slice an onion, place on a plate, inhale vapors next to bedside overnight to help with bronchitis/cough/upper respiratory infection. Disclaimer: This is just a SUGGESTED remedy from an old folksy wife who tells tales. So there. LOL
Crystal says
Does it need to be refrigerated after the 4 weeks and how long does it stay good?
Tash says
Hi Crystal!
This preparation does not need to be refrigerated and lasts indefinitely. I like to store mine in a cool dark place.
joyous201 says
Question: Enough ACV to fill a large what? 🙂
Tash says
Jar! LOL!
Glenda says
Duhhh! I meant to type "Dog SNOT" in my comment above! I read about a cool thing to do for immunities. This lady puts a whole chicken in a crockpot and cooks it. She and her family eat the meat but leave the bones in the crockpot and continue to add water to it keeping it cooking, of course. Daily they strain the broth and drink it with their meals as it leaches out all of the vital nutrients from the bones to build up their immunities for cold and flu season.. When the chicken stops giving after about a week, they throw it out and start over. If I can, I will try to locate the article and again and post it here. I want to do her justice because it's her idea, not mine. Thanks again for your fantastic blog Tash! Blessings everyone!
Tash says
That's such an awesome way to support your immunity not to mention stay young looking with all that healthy collagen and gelatin. Look young and stay healthy! =)
Glenda says
This cold remedy should be renamed something along the lines of "Donkey Kick" or "Knock the Dog Not Cold Out of You" remedies!
Thanks! I need look no further.
Tash says
*LAUGHS* it can certainly knock your socks off!
Sarah @ RevolutionaryMom.com says
I'm pinning this recipe to try soon! I love your blog! It looks great!
Tash says
Thanks! The recipe I used in my photos is a bit different: 1 head of garlic, 1 med onion, 2" chopped ginger, the juice and zest of one lemon, fresh rosemary and thyme, peppercorns, 1 tsp each of cayenne and turmeric, and 3 chopped up jalapenos. Glad you like it!