I know it is a little late in the season to start a batch of Fire Cider (or is it?!), but since we moved back to Italy, I have not been able to find any fresh horseradish root anywhere. It is not a very common ingredient here, or at least not in my area, so I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a stall selling the plant at a local herb/flower fair near my hometown. This was over a year ago. Fast forward to yesterday, and at long last, I was able to harvest some. Goodness, it smelled so potent it made my eyes water. I did not want to waste any time. I started to gather all the other ingredients which, for the first time, I have grown at home (well, all bar a couple), so this is quite an exciting batch for me!

What is Fire Cider

Fire Cider is an immune-supporting tonic that has been used for many generations and was made popular by the famous herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in the late 70s. It is made using a variety of healing herbs and roots infused in Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). It is said to help fight colds, improve digestion and blood circulation, and boost metabolism, amongst other things. 

You can find many variations on the net. Still, the main ingredients are horseradish, garlic, onions, ginger, hot peppers, and apple cider vinegar. 

I do use it quite a lot during the cold months. I find that it helps my immune and digestive system, and, as I do like to have a shot first thing in the morning, it has become like a little ritual to kickstart the day. 

The best part about this remedy is that you can also make it your own by adding spices or any other healing herbs to your liking. As I mentioned before, there are a lot of different recipes on the net. I have experimented a little, and for now, I have settled for this recipe that I will share with you.

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Home made Fire Cider recipe

Keyword apple cider vinegar, cold, Fire Cider, flu, ginger, herbal remedy, horseradish, immune system, turmeric

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 whole onion
• 10 cloves of garlic
• 2-3 hot peppers
• 1 lemon zest and juice make sure it is unwaxed, organic would be best
• 50 g fresh ginger root chopped
• 40 g fresh horseradish root grated
• 1 tbsp fresh turmeric root chopped
• 1 quarter tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 twigs of rosemary
• 500-650 ml Apple Cider Vinegar with mother
• honey to taste if you can find, raw and local is best.

Instructions

• Prepare all your ingredients by chopping the onion, crushing the garlic cloves, slicing the hot peppers, and grating all the roots.
  
• Add all of the above plus the zest and juice of the lemon, the cayenne pepper, and the rosemary twigs to a 1L (quart) jar and cover it with Apple Cider Vinegar. All the ingredients should be completely submerged. You can put a little weight on top in case you need it.
• Close with the lid and shake well. The lid should not be metal, as the ACV will corrode it over time. However, should you not have a plastic one, you could always put some baking paper or cling film between the jar and the lid (like I have done).
• Shake every day (or as often as you remember) for the next 3 to 4 weeks.
• Strain all the ingredients using a fine sieve or a cheesecloth, squeezing as much juice as possible.
• Add honey to taste, decant in a glass container, and store in a cool, dark place or in the fridge.

Notes

How to use it:

As a general tonic for your immune system take 1 tbs a day.

At the first signs of a cold or flu, take up to 3 tbs a day.

You can adjust the honey or add to some warm water or juice if you find it too spicy.

Enjoy!