Fire Cider…Winter Tonic!

The leaves are changing, the air is cooling, cold and flu season is approaching, and the holiday madness has officially arrived!  As we make the transition from Fall into Winter there is no better time to start home brewing Fire Cider so it will be ready you and your family during the cold winter months.  Fire Cider (also referred to as Cyclone Cider and Dragon Water) has been traditionally used by many herbalists as a winter tonic, immune system booster, cold and flu fighter, and peripheral circulation enhancer.

With all of these health benefits it must be an expensive and complicated recipe, right?  Not at all!  There have been many variations of the recipe over the years, but traditionally it included ginger, horseradish, garlic, onion, and cayenne mixed in a base of apple cider vinegar.  I also like to add turmeric into my recipe.  In my opinion it is a MUST have for every family kitchen, outdoor enthusiast’s backpack, die-hard winter swell surfer, and skier/boarders who want to play in the snowy mountains all winter long while staying healthy and warm!

I first discovered Fire Cider while studying at the California School of Herbal Studies in Forestville, CA.  Honestly, I was a bit skeptical when this orange/red “potion” got passed around for tasting.  After one sip I was well aware of why it was called Fire Cider.  It’s potent ingredients are most definitely FIERY!  After just one gulp I was warmed up, mind and body activated, and circulation pumping from my core out to my fingertips and toes.  I guess you could say I became an instant fan.  Here is some insight into the medicinal benefits of the Fire Cider ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar:

ACV is an extremely effective anti-bacterial agent that contains many essential minerals and trace elements including calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, fluorine, and silicon, all of which are vital for a healthy body.  A few of the MANY health benefits of ACV include balancing your body’s pH, reducing sinus infections and sore throat, fighting allergies, strengthening the immune system, increasing stamina and reducing muscle fatigue after exertion, boosts metabolism and digestion, and help with arthritis and gout.

Ginger:

Where do I even begin…I love ginger!  Ginger increases circulation, promotes sweating to reduce fevers, relieves indigestion, nausea, and vomiting, stimulates production of gastric juices, eases asthma and respiratory problems, helps eliminate congestion, and contains two natural antibiotics….just to name a few!

Garlic:

Garlic is a powerful antioxidant, has anti-bacterial properties, helps in the prevention of colds, and can help reduce blood pressure because it has blood-thinning properties.

Horseradish:

As a medicine, horseradish root has many curative properties including being a strong antibiotic, expectorant, bronchodilator, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and recommended for those with high blood pressure (diuretic properties).  Who knew that horseradish could do so much more than just make those beloved Bloody Marys nice and spicy!

Onion:

Onions have a variety of medicinal attributes including treatment of colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, and bacterial infections.  Onions are a very rich source of fructo-oligosaccharides.  These oligomers stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria and suppress the growth of harmful bacteria in the colon.

Cayenne:

Cayenne pepper is greatly gaining popularity in the medical world, and for good reason.  It has been shown to increase metabolism by immediately influencing the venous structure.  It has a direct effect on the circulatory system by feeding vital nutrients to the cells of capillaries, veins, and arteries, and helping normalize blood pressure and promote healthy cholesterol levels.  It also promotes peristalsis throughout the digestive tract and helps with assimilation of nutrients and elimination of waste.  When taken internally it drastically helps warm the body.

Turmeric:

Aww yes, turmeric, my favorite!  Turmeric is most well known for its highly anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for arthritis, IBS, joint pain, etc.  It also increases Liver function by helping with the detoxification processes.  Acting as a potent antioxidant, numerous studies have shown that Turmeric can help in the prevention of numerous neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s because of its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.  It truly is the spice of life!

Here it is….The Fire Cider Recipe:

• 1 Quart jar and enough Organic Apple Cider Vinegar to fill it
• 1/2 cup fresh Ginger root chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh Garlic peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh Horseradish root chopped
• 1 medium onion peeled and chopped
• 1 tsp Cayenne pepper (or more if you can handle it!)
• 2 Tablespoons powdered Turmeric
• **Experiment with doses and additional herbs to suit your palate**

Directions:

Add all of the above ingredients into a Quart size glass jar and cover with the Apple Cider Vinegar.  Close the jar, store in a cool dark place, and let seep for 3-8 weeks.  The flavor with change over time, but I usually begin using it at around 4 weeks.  Every few days gently shake the jar to mix.  There is no need to refrigerate because the Vinegar acts as a natural preservative.  When you feel the time is right, strain the Cider into another jar and enjoy!  If it is too spicy for you, add some honey to sweeten it up.

How to Use:

Daily Tonic:

I usually take a shot size of the cider every morning in the winter months as a tonic.  I highly recommend starting with only 1-2 tsp until you build tolerance (remember….it’s fiery!)  You can also get your daily dose by using it as a base for salad dressings or steaming veggies with it.

1st Signs of Cold/Flu: 

When you get the first signs of a cold/flu (sniffles, body  aches, chills, ect.) increase your dose up to 3x a day.

Sore Muscles/Arthritis/Upper Respiratory Infection:

Fire Cider can be used externally as a compress by soaking a cloth in the cider and placing in the affected muscles, joints, or chest with a URI.

***If taking blood-thinning medications please speak with your health-care physician before using Fire Cider.***

ENJOY!!