It's time to make Fire Cider! Fire Cider is an old folk remedy that is made in early autumn for the cold winter months. It can help boost the immune system, clear up sinus congestion, warm you up on a cold day, and aid digestion. Fire Cider is a combination of an herbal infused vinegar, sweetened with local honey – so it’s hot and sweet. Because it’s an old folk remedy, there are a lot of variations of the recipe. Most recipes call for garlic, onion and horseradish infused in apple cider vinegar and then honey mixed in. However, feel free to add other ingredients such as cayenne pepper, ginseng root, rosehips, astragalus, ginger, turmeric, lemon or orange juice and zest, oregano, osha root, thyme, or some of the herbs you grew in your garden this summer. Here's my recipe.
Ingredients:
2 clean, sterilized jars
Small funnel
1/4 cup freshly grated ginger root
1/4 cup freshly grated horseradish
1/8 cup chopped garlic
1/2 an onion, diced
1/8 cup rosehips
1/2 a lemon or orange, sliced
Organic apple cider vinegar
1/8-1/4 cup Local Raw Honey
Colander
Cheesecloth
Saucepan
Directions:
Place herbs in a glass mason jar.
Pour in enough vinegar to cover the herbs by an inch or two.
Seal jar tightly. If using a metal lid, you can place a piece of parchment paper under the lid.
Store in a dark, cool place for 2-4 weeks; and shake the bottle daily.
After a few weeks, place colander in saucepan and line it with cheesecloth; strain the herbs from the vinegar.
Pour vinegar into a clean jar and stir in honey to sweeten. Taste it and add more honey if desired.
To use your Fire Cider, take a spoonful directly in the mouth when you’re beginning to feel under the weather, or to warm up on cold mornings. You could also mix a spoonful in vegetable or rice dishes.
With a jar of Fire Cider, as well as Elderberry Syrup (see my article Elderberry Syrup), you'll be set for the cold and flu season,
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