Fire Cider
Given the current controversy around this traditional home remedy* and the snow falling outside my window, this seems like a perfect time to share a fire cider recipe! Fire cider is a spicy, sour, and sweet winter tonic that burns away obstacles, from the cold and flu to cloudy thinking and low energy. Many people use apple cider vinegar alone as a daily tonic for its various health benefits. Fire cider steps it up a few more notches! A great winter tonic for those of us who tend to be cold bodied, fire cider is an integral part of every home medicine cabinet.
You can use fire cider as you would any vinegar in cooking or as a salad dressing, or you can take it straight (if you're feeling brave!) or diluted in water or juice. I like to take it preventativley in the winter months, especially when there is a bug going around, but it can also be taken acutely to relieve symptoms of a cold or flu and speed recovery. Many of the herbs in this traditional recipe have well-researched anti-viral, immune-boosting, sinus-clearing, and circulation-stimulating properties.
Below is my personal fire cider recipe – I suggest using fresh, organic, and local products as much as possible as this will further aid your body’s healing process. Please feel free to tailor this recipe to your own taste!
Below is my personal fire cider recipe – I suggest using fresh, organic, and local products as much as possible as this will further aid your body’s healing process. Please feel free to tailor this recipe to your own taste!
Ingredients:
Grate, chop, dice, and smash all of your lovely spicy fruits and roots; this in itself is a cleansing process! Add all of the ‘dry’ ingredients to a quart jar, then fill up with apple cider vinegar. *Make sure to put plastic or parchment underneath the lid, as vinegar corrodes metal.* You have a choice to add the honey now, or wait until everything has steeped and add the honey later.
Let it steep for 4-6 weeks, but if you feel a cold coming on sooner there’s nothing wrong with sneaking some off the top of the jar. After 4-6 weeks, strain using cheesecloth or a nut-milk bag (I prefer the latter), squeezing out as much of the fiery goodness as possible.
It is important to me to always compost plant material after straining, as a way of honoring the plants. If you do not have a compost system, used plant material can be spread in a garden or forest as mulch. While I would not do this with fresh vegetables, for fear of smell or attracting animals, I find used herbs to be relatively benign and very good mulch.
I suggest taking about 1 tablespoon per day as a winter tonic, and 1 tablespoon every 2-3 hours as an acute remedy, along with rest, broth, and lots of liquids. The pepper tends to boost energy levels, so it may be best to take this after a nap or upon waking, rather than before rest. As with any and every food or medicine, listen to your body: use this remedy as long as it feels good to you.
Stay warm!
Elise
- ½ cup grated fresh ginger root
- ½ cup grated fresh horseradish root
- ¼ cup grated fresh turmeric root (1-2 TBS powder will do as well)
- 1 medium organic onion, diced
- 10 cloves of garlic, diced or crushed
- ¼ tsp cayenne powder
- 4-6 slices of astragalus root
- ½ cup lemon juice (pulp and zest are just fine!)
- apple cider vinegar
- honey to taste
Grate, chop, dice, and smash all of your lovely spicy fruits and roots; this in itself is a cleansing process! Add all of the ‘dry’ ingredients to a quart jar, then fill up with apple cider vinegar. *Make sure to put plastic or parchment underneath the lid, as vinegar corrodes metal.* You have a choice to add the honey now, or wait until everything has steeped and add the honey later.
Let it steep for 4-6 weeks, but if you feel a cold coming on sooner there’s nothing wrong with sneaking some off the top of the jar. After 4-6 weeks, strain using cheesecloth or a nut-milk bag (I prefer the latter), squeezing out as much of the fiery goodness as possible.
It is important to me to always compost plant material after straining, as a way of honoring the plants. If you do not have a compost system, used plant material can be spread in a garden or forest as mulch. While I would not do this with fresh vegetables, for fear of smell or attracting animals, I find used herbs to be relatively benign and very good mulch.
I suggest taking about 1 tablespoon per day as a winter tonic, and 1 tablespoon every 2-3 hours as an acute remedy, along with rest, broth, and lots of liquids. The pepper tends to boost energy levels, so it may be best to take this after a nap or upon waking, rather than before rest. As with any and every food or medicine, listen to your body: use this remedy as long as it feels good to you.
Stay warm!
Elise
* for more information regarding the fire cider controversy, see
http://commonwealthherbs.com/2014/01/trademarking-tradition-the-fire-cider-controversy/
http://commonwealthherbs.com/2014/01/trademarking-tradition-the-fire-cider-controversy/
Image credit: http://alchemical-weddings.com/
image credit (and another recipe!): http://mountainroseblog.com/fire-cider/
image credit (and another recipe!): http://mountainroseblog.com/fire-cider/
This information is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is not a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional.
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