There is still time to make this immunity tonic for the winter. It started with me begrudgingly taking shots of apple cider vinegar ten years ago. I heard this was good for you while reading one of those women’s daily magazines waiting to check out at the grocery store. After I went to herbaslim school, I discovered something quite spicy called fire cider, that has become popular again since the ongoing court case about it being trademarked by a company on the east coast. Meanwhile, fire cider has been around in the herbal community forever and coined by the herbal goddess Rosemary Gladstar in the late 1970s.
It’s kind of like a chili recipe. Everyone has their favorite and clam theirs is best! I compare it to pickles, however. I’m always experimenting with variations each time I make it. It’s become an enjoyable monthly ritual, every first day of the month I will make a new batch, and add honey to the previous batch, consuming it through out the month. It’s especially nice to have my fridge stocked with it in the cold winter months. Who doesn’t want more warming herbs in their diet?
I have been using rainbow peppercorns from Mountain Rose Herbs to at the standard ingredients- garlic, onion, ginger, and jalapeño. I also added in some fresh flowering rosemary, cinnamon, lemons, and orange slices to offset the spice! I order all my dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs because they are all organic and I trust them more than anyone!
It’s really easy to make and it makes a fantastic immune boosting tonic during the winter. I take a spoonful a day in the morning. It kickstarts your metabolism and definitely wakes you up with all the spice in it! If you start feeling sick try taking it three times a day. Here’s what’s in it!
Ginger
Ginger is a warming and circulatory herb. It’s best to buy it fresh and organic.
Jalapeno or horseradish
this is the ingredient that will wake you up and start your day. Horseradish is great for your sinuses and also for nausea. It puts the fire in fire cider!
Garlic
the most antimicrobial and antiviral herb. I literally swallow a raw clove when I think I am getting sick and it works! It also produces heat that reduces cholesterol.
Onion
great for coughs and raw onion keeps the respiratory tract open
Honey
Ideally, raw, local honey is best. Honey is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic. (Not recommended for children under 1 year old.)
How To Make Immune Enhancing Fire Cider!
Drink a shot of this fire cider every morning and it will kick your metabolism into gear and boost your immune system!
- Prep Time15 min
- Ready in4 weeks
- Yield10 ounces
- Serving Sizeone shot
What you need:
For the burger
- Pint sized jar
- Apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s is great!)
- Jalapeno
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 inches fresh ginger
- 2 lemon slices
- 1/4 of orange
- 1 t. rainbow peppercorns from Mountain Rose Herbs
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- raw honey
Preparing the spices
Clean the jar out thoroughly.
Roughly chop ingredients to release flavor. Fill to the top of the jar.
Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar so the herbs are full submerged. Cover with a piece of wax paper and put the metal lid on top.
Place somewhere dark and cool, and allow to macerate for a month.
After a month, strain through cheese cloth or muslin. Add about 1/4 cup of honey. Experiment with this. If you like sweeter add more. Add maple syrup if you prefer a vegan option.
Keep in your fridge and take a shot every morning during flu season!
