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What Is Fire Cider?

Fire Cider is a natural remedy used to restore our immune systems. It helps with inflammation, fights viruses and bacterial infections, eases sinus congestion, and contains an array of antioxidants and supports our immune system.

Recipe

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup  fresh ginger root 
  • ½ cup fresh horseradish root 
  • ½ cup fresh turmeric root (if not available substitute ¼ cup additional ginger and ¼ cup additional horseradish)
  • ½ cup white onion 
  • ¼ cup garlic cloves
  • 2 jalapeno peppers (your choice of spicy pepper)
  • 2 organic lemons (sliced – no rind if not organic)
  • raw apple cider vinegar (ACV)
  • several sprigs fresh rosemary and/or thyme
  • ½ tsp whole black peppercorns
  • Raw honey (added afterwards)

Instructions

  1. Add the ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, jalapeno and lemon juice/zest to a clean jar. Pack them down lightly so that the jar is about 3/4 full.
  2. Pour apple cider vinegar over the roots/vegetables. You want everything to stay under the liquid to prevent spoilage. Keep in mind that some of the roots will expand a little so top it off well.
  3. Put the lid on. (If you’re using a metal lid, line it with parchment paper / wax paper so that the vinegar doesn’t corrode it.) Place in a dark, room temperature cabinet for 2-4 weeks. (A month is best.)
  4. When the cider is ready, shake well and then strain the roots/veggies using a cheesecloth or mesh strainer, then pour liquid into a clean jar.
  5. If desired, add raw honey to taste.

 

Health Benefits of Fire Cider

Vinegar infusions like fire cider are especially good at getting herbs to release their beneficial compounds. Let’s take a look at some of those benefits:: 

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale)

Once rare and expensive but now widely available, ginger root has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. As a cold and flu remedy, it’s traditionally used to ease nausea and/or soothe a sore throat.

Horseradish root (Armoracia rusticana)

Rich in folate and a compound called sinigrin, studies have found that horseradish helps the body break up congestion and calms inflammation. 

Turmeric root (Curcuma longa)

Curcumin, the main compound in turmeric, has been shown to exhibit “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal” and other properties

Onion (Allium cepa)

Loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C and quercetin plus minerals like potassium and sulfur, onions are amazing for supporting digestive health and immune function.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Supports balanced immune system and has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial properties

Jalapeno (Capsicum annuum)

Hot peppers such as jalapeno (or habanero if you’re feeling brave) are rich in capsaicin, which assists the body in managing inflammation.

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which supports immune function. This recipe also incorporates the rind, which draws out a compound called limonene that has mood lifting, digestion supporting, and immune system benefits. 

If you don’t have access to organic lemons, I suggest leaving the rind out because conventional lemon may have absorbed pesticide residue that can’t be washed off.

Black Peppercorns (Piper nigrum)

Rich in antioxidants such as piperine, black pepper increases the absorption of other nutrients and helps the body manage inflammation. They may also play a role in brain health.

Rosemary and Thyme (Rosmarinus officinalis or Thymus vulgaris)

Both of these herbs have long been used in folk remedies to support healthy respiratory and immune function.

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