How To Make Fire Cider
It's true, there are a lot of Fire Cider recipes out there but this one is my family's favorite. It's so good that my husband feels the need to give out a big "WHOOHOO" after each shot of it he takes. But I have to agree because it really is that good.
What Is Fire Cider
Fire Cider is a jar of digestive healthy, immune boosting, disease fighting, delicious tonic that you won't ever want to be without. It is made with organic raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother, has to have the mother) and your choice of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that you feel would best suit your needs. There is no specific recipe that you must follow in order to make Fire Cider. The ingredients can be tailored to your needs and only the process needs to be followed. Let me explain.
Different fruits, vegetables, and herbs have different healing properties and benefits. And some also can be harmful if an individual is on certain medications or has certain ailments. For example: I take Synthroid so I'm not suppose to eat grapefruit (for whatever reason) which is not a problem for me because I don't like grapefruit. But you see what I mean. So do your research and know what you are putting in your body, the benefits, and the risks.
Our Fire Cider Ingredients & Why
My husband, fortunately, is very healthy so my goal for him is to keep him that way. For me, I have an auto-immune disease so my goal is to boost my immune system in hopes of keeping me healthy too.
Ingredients:
Horseradish: anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants, promotes respiratory health, fights against sinus infections and bronchitis, contains anti-cancer properties.
Ginger: good for nausea relief, blood sugar management, anti-inflammatory, indigestion, helps to lower cholesterol, and may improve brain function and protect against Alzheimer's.
Garlic: boost immune system, help with blood pressure and cholesterol management, holds anti-cancer properties, antibiotic properties, and can improve athletic performance.
Onion: rich in antioxidants, aids in digestive health and blood sugar management, anti-inflammatory, reduces risk of Alzheimer's.
Cayenne Pepper: good source of nutrients (Vitamins C, A, B6, K), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, promotes digestive health, clears congestion.
Orange: high in vitamin C, prevents skin damage, promotes good heart health, blood pressure and cholesterol management, boost immune system.
Lemon: promotes good heart health, prevents kidney stones and anemia, prevents some kinds of cancer, heart healthy.
Peppercorn: promotes digestive health, boost immune system, antioxidant.
Cinnamon: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, protects against heart disease, helps lower blood sugar, can prevent bacterial and fungal infections, has anti-viral properties.
Rosemary: boost immune system, aids in stress reduction, can improve memory and concentration.
Thyme: anti-inflammatory, cough suppressant, antimicrobial, helps skin conditions like eczema and acne, mood boosting, boost immune system.
Apple Cider Vinegar (raw, organic, with the Mother): helps kill harmful bacteria, aids in blood sugar and diabetes management, boost skin health.
Honey: antioxidants, cough suppressant, healthier choice than sugar, may improve heart health.
Alternatives:
Cranberries: help prevent urinary tract infections.
Jalapeno peppers: full of nutrients, natural pain reliever, helps to prevent stomach ulcers, fights against infections.
Sage: antioxidants, support oral health, ease menopause symptoms, support memory and brain health, aids in cholesterol and blood sugar management.
This is just an example of the different things you can use to create a tonic that will help you and your specific needs.
Fire Cider Recipe
This recipe is for a half gallon so if a quart would suit your household better, just half the recipe.
First, let's prep our ingredients. Peel and dice 1 cup of horseradish. Thinly slice 1 cup of ginger. Smash and peel 2 heads of garlic. Peel and dice 1 small onion. Slice 2 lemons and 1 orange into 1/4" to 1/2" slices. Cut the tops off of 4 cayenne peppers and split. I leave the seeds in for the extra heat but it's your choice.
Time to Make the Fire Cider
Place all prepped ingredients in the half gallon mason jar. Add 4 cinnamon sticks, 2 teaspoons whole peppercorn, 6 sprigs of rosemary and a small bunch of thyme. Cover with apple cider vinegar. Make sure all ingredients are covered with the apple cider vinegar.
Whenever you use apple cider vinegar, do not use a metal lid. I love the white lids you can get that are made for mason jars except they leak. But I have a remedy for that! Take a piece of parchment paper that is larger than the lid and place it over the top of the mason jar. Place the white lid over the parchment paper and screw it closed. Now it won't leak and this is super important because we'll be shaking the Fire Cider daily.
Place in a cool, dark space for 4 weeks. Don't forget to shake daily.
Tip:
Write the date the Fire Cider needs to be strained and honey added on the parchment paper.
4 Weeks Has Passed
Cover a large strainer/colander with cheesecloth and place in a medium-sized bowl. Carefully pour the Fire Cider and all of it's contents into the cheesecloth. Let sit for just a bit in order for all of that lovely goodness (apple cider vinegar) to strain from all of the fruits, vegetables, herbs.
Add 1 cup of raw honey to the apple cider vinegar mixture. Mix and taste. Add more honey as needed until you reach just the right taste for you and your family. Store in the refrigerator and it will last for up to 6 months. However, it never last that long around here which is why we make a large amount.
How to Take
My husband and I, we like to keep a little shot glass close by for a daily dose of Fire Cider. Taking it daily helps to keep illness away and gives the body a daily shot of immune boosting goodness. But if an illness does creep in, (i.e. a little cough, congestion, feeling yucky), you can safely take a tablespoon or 2 every two to three hours. For children, you can give them 1 to 2 teaspoons daily or every 2 to 3 hours. Around our house, the littles prefer Elderberry Syrup to the Fire Cider (less zing). But Elderberry Syrup is great for the immune system too so get what you can into them to help keep them well this winter And it really does work y'all!
Disclaimer:
Do Your Own Research Before Using Any Fruits, Vegetables, or Herbs Medicinally. I am not certified or licensed herbalism or homeopathic medicine. If you are on any medications, I recommend you talk to your doctor concerning any risk factors concerning certain herbs, etc.
Also, as an Amazon affiliate, I receive a small commission on qualified purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use or would use myself.
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Once you have tried this delicious Fire Cider, I'd love it if you would give this post 5 starts and tag us @SimplyMadeHomestead on Instagram with a photo of your Fire Cider. Please feel free to add any variations that you made to the recipe in your post.
Happy Herbalism!
Marian
If you ever have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd love to hear from you!
