Fire Cider Recipe

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I’ve been feeling the call to be more self sufficient— to take my family’s health and future into my own hands and not rely too heavily on outside sources. Have you? 

A few weeks ago, I started a popular herbal Oxymel— Fire Cider! The Greek word Oxymeli means “acid and honey”— which is exactly what an oxymel consists of. They are herbal medicines made with apple cider vinegar infused with herbs, then mixed with honey. Fire cider is a long held old fashioned remedy that is used to boost the immune system and to help aid the upper respiratory system. I decided to prepare a large batch for this years cold/flu season, because I am a big believer in terrain theory (over the commonly held germ theory.) I believe that if we support our bodies and immune systems, that we are able to avoid illness even if we come into contact with the germs. 

Here’s the recipe:

1 medium onion, chopped

10 cloves of garlic, crushed or chopped

2 jalapeno peppers, chopped

Zest and juice from 1 lemon

1/2 cup fresh grated ginger root

1/2 cup fresh grated horseradish root 

1 Tbsp. Turmeric powder

1/4 tsp. Cayenne powder

2 Tbsp. Dried Rosemary leaves 

Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 cup of raw, local honey (adjust to taste)

Chop up all your ingredients. Fill your jars evenly, then cover with ACV. I use these plastic lids with silicone sealing rings for covering my mason jars when I am making tinctures and oxymels or storing herbs. Let sit in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks. Then strain through a cheesecloth (I like these or these because they are reusable) and add honey. Mix til incorporated, taste, and add more honey if desired. This doesn’t have to be refrigerated but it can be.

I do not follow perfect proportions with all of my herbal medicines. With folk remedies like this, I take a rather intuitive approach, and I use what I have. I did not have horseradish. I had more jalapeños and ginger and slightly less onion. I just chopped it all up and divvied it out between the 4 jars I had. 

Do you make and take fire cider? Have you heard of it before? What are you doing to take charge of you and your family’s health? 

A few serving suggestions:

🔆 Straight up: Rosemary Gladstar recommends taking 1 to 2 tablespoons of the oxymel at the first sign of a cold, and then repeating every 3 to 4 hours until symptoms subside. Some people also take fire cider as a preventative during cold and flu season.

🔆 Mix with lemonade or orange juice

🔆 Mix with hot water and extra honey to make a tea

🔆 Use in place of vinegar in salad dressings and condiments * (Recipe)

🔆 Drizzle on steamed vegetables or sautéed greens 

🔆 Use in marinades for meat, tofu, and tempeh *

🔆 Add to soups and chilis *

🔆 Try a couple of dashes in a cocktail, such as a Bloody Mary (I like to make virgin bloody marys to drink with lox and bagels in the morning— as a special treat occasionally) *

*= before adding honey 

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and that it brings you and your family an extra health boost this winter! I also support my family’s wellness with elderberry syrup, immune-boosting superfoods, plenty of fresh air & sunshine when we can get it, cod liver oil with vitamin D, and real, whole foods.

Click here to read more about our family’s full wellness arsenal.