Fire Cider for the Immune System
Happy New Year!
As the weather gets cooler, its the perfect time make some Fire Cider.
Fire cider is a spicy herbal remedy used as an immune booster, congenstion relief, cold and flu remedy, and digestive aid.
It is a traditional hebal remedy created in the late 1970s by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, that is now a popular home herbal remedy used by thousands of herbalists for the winter months.
I like to take 2-3 tbsps of this tonic a day or add it into soups and teas as a preventative measure. If I do happen to get sick, the spicy and stimulating qualities help move stuck congestion and shorten the duration of an illness.
It’s fun to get creative with Fire Cider recipes by using your favorite herbs. But, the common ingredients, like ginger, onion, garlic, and vinegar, can be found at any grocery store year-round; making it easy and affordable.
Fire cider is an oxymel, meaning its an herbal remedy that uses both vinegar and honey. Oxymels have been used for thousands of years dating back to the ancient Geeks.
This Fire cider recipe is rich in vitamin C and has a heart opening boost from the Rosehip. Play around with the recipe and if there is an herb that you can harvest at the moment throw it in there. Formulating plant medicine should be fun and fire cider is a great place to start.
Garlic has been used traditionally to boost the immune system, as well as being anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial (1). Garlic at the onset of symptoms may help shorten the duration of illness and soothe a sore throat (3).
Onion is rich in quercetin which is anti-inflammary and antiviral. You can also add the onion skin for an added quercetin boost (2). I like to use purple onion for my fire cider.
Horseradish aids in clearing the sinuses and stimulating the circulatory system. It is known to assist in digestion and have antiseptic qualities as well.
Fresh Ginger in Ayurvedic is considered the “universal medicine”. Its diffusive and stimulating properties is perfect for getting stuck mucus flowing again, while its antiviral properties is great for upper respiratory infections (4). Ginger is a must do to all of the incredible benefits it has to offer.
Hot Pepper supports circulation and truly warms up your body. The spicy flavor is definetely one to clear up sinuses.
Rosehip, as the name suggest rose is a beautiful herb for the heart chakra and love. Rosehips is also very high in vitamin C and rich with nutrients and bioflavonoids.
Rosemary can be anti-inflammatory and increase circulation. When combined with ginger, this duo helps with stagnant congestion in the sinuses and lungs.
Honey is antiviral and and antibacterial. It has been used for thousands of years and rightfully so. Honey may boost the imune system and soothe inflamed organs and tissues. Local honey may also help with allergies.
Other ingredients that are fun to add are Elderberry, Thyme, black peppercorn, Star Anise pods, Turmeric, Echinacea, Cinnamon, other dried or fresh herb.
The fiery elements help warm the body up which is a natural craving during cold days. (TCM)
The well balanced blend of spicy, hot, and pungent flavors steeped in apple cider vinegar and finished with the sweetness of local honey makes Fire Cider pleasantly delicious, and also, a wonderful blend of medicinal herbs.
Ingredients:
Citrus peel of one fruit (lemon, orange, or both)
1 Medium grated ginger root
10 cloves of garlic
1 Medium grated horseradish root
1 Purple onion (add some of the skin)
1-2 Hot pepper of your choosing (Jalapeño, Serrano, Habanero, Cayenne)
A couple of sprigs on Rosemary, Thyme, &/or Sage
Some shakes of powdered cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and turmeric (or the root)
Handful of dried or fresh rose hips
Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother
Organic local honey to be used after the mixture has been sitting for 3 weeks.
Tools:
A 32oz mason jar
Wax paper in order for the metal not to rust
Label
Grater + knife + cutting board
.
Directions:Grate the ginger root and horseradish root, some skin is fine. Then add it to the mason jar.
Remove the top & seeds of peppers
Peel your citrus fruit
Peel the garlic and roughly mash it a bit for some juice to release.
Chop up the onion and keep some skin on it.
Add all of the ingredients into the mason jar. Make sure there is some empty space at the top of the jar so you can pour in the apple cider vinegar. You may need to press the mix down a bit to ensure everything is submerged.
Cover the opening with wax paper and then put on the lid. The wax paper prevents the vinegar from eroding the metal lid. Close it tightly and label your fire cider with the date and ingredients used.
Let it infuse for 3-4 weeks and remember to give the jar a good shake throughout the week.
When its ready, strain all the liquid out and add honey to taste.
This can be stored in room temperature or in the fridge. It makes a great addition to salad dressings, sauces, teas, or you can dilute it with some water and take a shot as needed for a boost in immunity or as a digestive aid.
References
Ayaz E, Alpsoy HC. Sarimsak (Allium sativum) ve geleneksel tedavide kullanimi [Garlic (Allium sativum) and traditional medicine]. Turkiye Parazitol Derg. 2007;31(2):145-9. Turkish. PMID: 17594659.
Li Y, Yao J, Han C, Yang J, Chaudhry MT, Wang S, Liu H, Yin Y. Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 15;8(3):167. doi: 10.3390/nu8030167. PMID: 26999194; PMCID: PMC4808895.
Yadav, Seema, Niyati A Trivedi, Nantz, Meri P, Cheryl A Rowe, Catherine E Muller, Rebecca A Creasy, Joy M Stanilka, and Susan S Percival. “Supplementation with Aged Garlic Extract Improves Both NK and Γδ-T Cell Function and Reduces the Severity of Cold and Flu Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Nutrition Intervention.” Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) 31, no. 3 (2012): doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2011.11.019
Chang JS, Wang KC, Yeh CF, Shieh DE, Chiang LC. Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jan 9;145(1):146-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.10.043. Epub 2012 Nov 1. PMID: 23123794.