When the cold weather hits, it’s more important than ever to keep your immune system strong. One way to do that is by incorporating fire cider into your daily routine. Fire cider, or fire tonic, is a powerful tonic made from apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, and other healing spices and astringents. Here are four reasons why you could consider making your own fire cider this winter:
1) It’s relatively easy to make and customizable to you and your family’s preferences.
2) It’s a great way to get all the anti-microbial benefits of ginger, garlic, and apple cider vinegar.
3) It can regularly support your immune system.
4) It’s warming on a cold day!
What is fire cider?
Fire cider is a traditional folk remedy that has been used for centuries to help boost immunity and relieve congestion. It’s made by infusing vinegar with a variety of ingredients like onions, garlic, horseradish, and ginger. The resulting mixture is then taken orally, typically a tablespoon at a time.
Fire cider is a homemade tonic that is said to boost immunity and fight off colds and flu. It’s made with a combination of apple cider vinegar, onions, garlic, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers, all of which are known for their health benefits. The ingredients are chopped up and put in a jar and allowed to infuse for several weeks. The finished product is a spicy, tangy tonic that can be taken by the spoonful or added to soups and sauces.
What makes fire cider work?
The efficacy of fire cider, or fire tonic, is thanks to the naturally occurring anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties of the astringent ingredients (garlic, horseradish, turmeric). These ingredients have been used for thousands of years to support health and fight infection.
To boot, fire cider’s astringent ingredients are steeped in vinegar which is known for its ability to kill off microorganisms, bacteria, and some viruses. You may have heard of people using vinegar as a household cleaning agent for these reasons.
How to make your own fire cider
It’s easy to make your own fire cider at home, and you may even use up leftover veggie sitting in your fridge. In general, here’s how to do it:
- Start by chopping up your astringents: an onion, a garlic clove, and a piece of ginger. You can also add in other immunity-boosting ingredients like turmeric or horseradish.
- Put the chopped vegetables into a jar and cover them with apple cider vinegar.
- Let the mixture sit for at least two weeks, then strain out the solids. Some choose to incorporate honey at this point for a more palatable flavor.
- Enjoy! You can take a tablespoon of fire cider every day, or add it to soups and stews for an extra immunity boost. This can be stored on a shelf or refrigerated, your preference. Due to the nature of the anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties of the vinegar this tonic is pretty hardy and shelf stable and should last you one season.
What are the benefits of drinking fire cider?
There are many benefits to taking fire cider, an anti-inflammatory tonic made from herbs and vegetables. For centuries, astringents like garlic, turmeric and horseradish have been used for their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, fire cider can help to fight off colds and flu, as well as ease congestion and fight infection.
How to use fire cider in your daily life
While the exact recipe varies from family to family, the end result is always a powerful tonic with a fiery kick. Fire cider can be taken straight by the spoonful, or diluted with water or juice. It can also be used in cooking to add flavor and spice to dishes.
A surprising way to use fire cider is in a vinaigrette. Simply combine equal parts fire cider and olive oil, and then add a splash of honey and some salt and pepper to taste. This dressing is great on salads, roasted vegetables, or even grilled chicken or fish.
If you’re looking for a way to add some extra warmth and flavor to your cooking this winter, give fire cider a try!
FAQs about fire cider
Are there any side effects? When taken in small amounts, fire cider is generally safe for most people. However, it can cause heartburn or indigestion in some individuals. Additionally, horseradish can irritate the skin, so it’s important to use gloves when handling it. Finally, because fire cider contains vinegar, it can damage tooth enamel if taken excessively or without diluting it first.
How long does fire cider last? Fire cider will keep for several months when stored in a cool, dark place. However, it’s best to consume it within six months of making it.
Can I give fire cider to my kids? While fire cider is generally considered safe for most people, it is not recommended for children under the age of 12. It does have a strong and distinctive flavor that may not be palatable for young kids.
As you can see, fire cider is an accessible and easy way to boost your immunity this winter. So go ahead and give it a try! Let us know what you think.
Recipes for different flavors of fire cider
Here are a list of local practitioner’s personal Fire Cider Recipes:
Andrea Claussen, Ayurvedic Practitioner’s Fire Cider Tonic
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- Apple cider vinegar (it will be used to fill up the jar so anywhere from 1-5 cups)
- 1 tbsp turmeric fresh works as well just chop it up
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 inch fresh ginger chopped
- 2 small peppers any variety chopped
- 1 small jalapeno
- Juice of lemon
- 2 inches sliced burdock root (optional if you can’t find it)
- Honey to taste (add after you have infused it for 1 month)
Constellation Acupuncture + Healing Art’s Fire Cider Tonic (Find more immune-boosting recipes in their Sinus and Cold e-book)
- 1/2 cup chopped horseradish root
- 1/2 cup chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped ginger
- 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
- Optional: additional herbs or spices you prefer
- Raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the mother (like Bragg’s brand)
- Raw honey (local is best if you can find it) Added after 4 weeks, to taste.