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How to Make Fire Cider for Immune Support

5 from 10 votes

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Fire Cider is a natural tonic you can make at home to help boost your immune system. Which helps your body fight off illness. And it’s not just for the winter months when colds and flu abound, either. I try to make sure I have some on hand all year long. You just never know when you’re going to need it!

Fire Cider in shot glasses on wooden cutting board

Well, it’s here again.

It comes back around every year just like clockwork.

Or a bad penny.

Or that one friend that never calls unless they need something…

It’s never fun.

And thankfully, it never lasts that long.

I’m talking about cold and flu season, of course.

I really, really prefer using natural and herbal remedies whenever I need to take something.

And I like to make sure that I always have stuff on hand for the cold and flu season.

I haven’t had the flu in decades. And while I may just be lucky, I think it has a lot to do with taking my herbal remedies.

I use echinacea tincture, elderberry syrup, and fire cider to keep those nasty bugs at bay.

And today, I’m going to introduce you to my favorite fire cider recipe.

But first, the obligatory FDA statement so they don’t fine me or shut down my site: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for medical advice.

Ok. Let’s get down to business..

Fire Cider Benefits

Fire Cider, also called Fire Cider Tonic or Master Tonic, is a natural way to boost your immune system. Here are just a few of the benefits of taking fire cider:

  • Honey is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial . It contains hydrogen peroxide and glucose oxidase and has a low pH level, which means it can kill harmful bacteria and fungi. It’s also high in antioxidants and has been used for centuries to sooth sore throats.
  • Peppercorns contain a compound called piperine. Studies have shown that piperine is high in anti-oxidants, is effective against inflammation, and has anti-bacterial properties.
  • Both Apple Cider Vinegar and hot peppers appear to speed up your metabolism.
  • Capsaicin is a substance found in hot peppers that has been used for centuries as an analgesic (pain killer) and has also shown anti-viral properties in studies.
  • Turmeric has many health benefits. The main beneficial compound is curcumin which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has also shown promise in fighting brain degeneration, heart disease, and even cancer.

There are about a bazillion recipes all over the internet for fire cider. And even more in hundreds of herbalism books and courses.

They are all just a little bit different, but all basically the same. Just tweaked for personal preferences and availability of ingredients.

The original fire cider recipe was developed by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar and first published in her book, “Winter Recipes for Health and Well-Being”.

It has since been published in several of her other books, and is by far one of her most popular recipes.

Rosemary’s books are easy to follow and understand, and they were my first introduction to herbalism. This is my favorite beginner herbalist book: Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use 

I am personally not one for really hot and spicy stuff. So I gotta be honest and tell you that I sometimes struggle to take a shot of this when I need to…

But it’s way better than being sick for 2 weeks…

So here’s how to make fire cider.

ingredients for fire cider on wooden cutting board

Fire Cider Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup diced fresh horseradish root
  • 30-35 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 cup sliced ginger
  • 1 teaspoon dried cayenne pepper, OR 3-5 sliced fresh cayenne peppers
  • other hot peppers of your choice
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary OR 2 Tablespoons dried rosemary
  • 4 tsp whole black peppercorns
  • 1 organic lemon, sliced into thin rounds (including the rind)
  • 1/2 cup raw honey, or more to taste
  • 5 cups raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup diced fresh turmeric OR 1 Tablespoon turmeric powder

Instructions

I make this fire cider recipe in a gallon jar. It fills it up about half way depending on how small I cut things up.

That may sound like a lot, but it keeps for at least a year in the fridge.

Start out by dicing the onion and toss it into your jar.

Then, peel the garlic cloves and smash them with the side of a knife and toss them into the jar as well.

You could mince the garlic if you want to, but I just smash them to save a bit of time. 🙂

Now you need to peel and dice the horseradish root. This stuff is quite strong smelling, so be forewarned!

Toss the horseradish into the jar as well.

And then peel and slice the ginger root and layer that in the jar.

Now add the cayenne, peppercorns, turmeric, and rosemary sprigs.

Give the lemon and good scrub and then cut it into thin slices. Add the lemon and any juice to the jar.

ingredients for fire cider in gallon glass jar

All that’s left is to add the honey and the apple cider vinegar.

Give it all a good stir.

Then put the lid on the jar. If your jar has a metal lid like mine does, you need to put a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap between the fire cider and the lid.

That will keep the metal from corroding from the acid in the vinegar.

fire cider in glass gallon jar

Now that it’s all mixed up you need to let it sit someplace cool for 3 to 4 weeks.

The longer it sits, the more mellow it becomes. But also the more beneficial it gets.

For the first week or so you need to shake the jar once or twice a day.

After the 3 or 4 weeks are you, it’s time to strain your fire cider!

You can see my set up there for straining the fire cider.

fire cider in jar next to strainer over bowl

A large strainer over a large glass bowl.

Put a bread cloth or closely woven cheesecloth in the strainer and slowly pour the fire cider through it.

Then hang the cloth and let it drip for about an hour. After that, squeeze the bag a little to get all the good stuff out.

Then just put the strained fire cider in a glass jar (or jars) and keep it in the fridge.

Some people toss the solids into the compost heap. But you can also dehydrate the solids and then grind them into a powder and use them for a spicy seasoning for meats and eggs.

Fire Cider will keep for about a year when it’s refrigerated.

How to use Fire Cider

You should take 1 shot (about 1.5 to 2-oz or just under a 1/4 cup) 3 to 4 times a day just as soon as you feel anything coming on.

In fact, there are those that say you should just go ahead and start taking it if there is anyone in your sphere that is getting sick.

So any family members, office mates, or friends who are sniffling is your sign to start taking a shot of this every morning.

It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.

Other uses for fire cider

  • Use fire cider as a marinade for meats. The vinegar helps to break down the fibers in the meat so it’s great for those cheaper cuts. And depending on how spicy you made it, it can add a little kick to the meal.
  • Add fire cider to vinaigrettes to spice up your salad dressings and give you an extra immune boost. Just use the fire cider in place of the vinegar in your recipe.
  • Add a teaspoon to hot lemonade or hot orange tea and drink it that way. You’ll probably need to add a bit more honey, though. The orange and lemon, or course, add an extra boost of vitamin C. Which we could probably all use in our lives.
  • You can even add a splash to your soups, stews, and chilis to add a little extra zip. It’s particularly good in chicken tortilla soup.

Possible Side Effects of Fire Cider

  • If you suffer from acid reflux, you should only take this in a large glass of water so it’s well watered down
  • Large amounts of turmeric can cause upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea. If that happens, make sure to water down your dose, take it in smaller quantities, or just leave it out of your next batch
  • Unpasteurized honey may be harmful to small children and pregnant women. Use pasteurized honey instead if there is a chance of it being taken by them
  • Some people get bad breath after taking fire cider, so have a tic-tac handy!

Fire Cider

Fire Cider is a natural tonic you can make at home to help boost your immune system. Which helps your body fight off illness.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Sitting time 21 days
Total Time 21 days 10 minutes
Course Herbal
Cuisine American
Servings 24 shots, approximately
Calories 53 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 cup diced fresh horseradish root
  • 30-35 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 cup sliced ginger
  • 1 teaspoon dried cayenne pepper OR 3-5 sliced fresh cayenne peppers
  • other hot peppers of your choice
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary OR 2 Tablespoons dried rosemary
  • 4 tsp whole black peppercorns
  • 1/4 cup diced fresh turmeric OR 1 Tablespoon turmeric powder
  • 1 organic lemon sliced into thin rounds (including the rind)
  • 1/2 cup raw honey or more to taste
  • 5 cups raw apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Dice the onion and toss it into a 1 gallon jar.
  • Peel and smash the garlic cloves and toss them into the jar.
  • Then peel and dice the horseradish root and toss it into the jar.
  • Next peel and slice the ginger root and layer that in the jar.
  • Add the cayenne, peppercorns, turmeric, and rosemary sprigs.
  • Give the lemon and good scrub and then cut it into thin slices. Add the lemon and any juice to the jar.
  • Add the honey and the apple cider vinegar and stir well.
  • Place the lid on the jar and let it sit someplace cool for 3 to 4 weeks. Shake the jar once or twice daily.
  • After 3 to 4 weeks, strain the fire cider in a glass jar (or jars) and keep it in the fridge.

Notes

Some people toss the solids into the compost heap. But you can also dehydrate the solids and then grind them into a powder and use them for a spicy seasoning for meats and eggs.
Fire Cider will keep for about a year when it’s refrigerated.

Nutrition

Serving: 2ozCalories: 53kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 11IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
Keyword fire cider
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
By on January 18th, 2022

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