This tonic is powerful, don’t underestimate its healing capabilities. It has helped people to heal from many viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal diseases. Fire cider is a delicious homemade herbal tonic that uses raw apple cider vinegar to extract the medicinal properties from the herbs. Fire cider takes four weeks to extract the medicinal benefits from the herbs but leaving it even longer can be more beneficial. I have found this brand of fire cider to be very effective in treating colds and flu when you do not want to wait for yours to finish.
Fire cider is consumed during winter months to ward off colds and flu. It is also a very effective digestive tonic if you drink a shot before meals. The raw apple cider vinegar and herbs stimulate the secretion of gastric juices that help break down food.
Take by the spoonful to warm the body and ward off sickness, clear the sinuses and aid in digestion. Add to hot water and serve with lemon and honey as a tea, stir into soups, or sprinkle on salads and other dishes. Please use organic ingredients for a healthier option.
Fire Cider Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup grated fresh horseradish
- 1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
- 1 lemon unpeeled and sliced thin
- 1 orange unpeeled and sliced thin
- 2 chopped fresh chili peppers or 1 jalapeno
- 1 tbs black peppercorn
- 1 tbs cayenne pepper
- 1 tbs turmeric
- 3 tbs honey or to desired sweetness
- raw apple cider vinegar to fill your jar
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients in a mason jar and pour in the raw apple cider vinegar to fill the jar.
- Place a piece of waxed paper over the jar and cap tightly with a canning lid and ring. The paper keeps the vinegar from splashing on the metal lid and rusting it. Or you can use a repurposed mayo lid, they fit perfectly on a mason jar.
- Keep the jar in a cool and dry place for 4 weeks. Shake well daily if you remember.
- After 4 weeks, line a colander with cheesecloth and strain the liquid into a large measuring cup, squeezing the cheesecloth to make sure you get all the juice out.
- Take one or two tablespoons a few times a day as needed.
Why These Ingredients?
Garlic is known for its powerful anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It can help prevent the common cold and is useful when fighting the flu. Garlic helps ease fever, cough, sinus congestion, bronchitis and asthma.
Onion contains quercetin, a plant polyphenol which is helpful for reducing allergies and relaxing the muscles in the respiratory airways associated with asthma. Like garlic, onion is also helpful for fever, cold, cough and bronchitis.
Horseradish is a root vegetable in the brassicaceae family related to mustard and broccoli. It is very helpful in the treatment of sinusitis as well as cough, colic, bronchitis and sore throat.
Cayenne and chili peppers provides a lot of heat which improves blood flow and acts a diaphoretic, meaning it will make you sweat. It is important to eat spices and herbs that warm you and improve circulation. These peppers bring more sinus searing heat, along with a ton of vitamins and capsaicin to stimulate the immune system, relieve pain and speed cell recovery.
Black pepper will add a bit of fire similar to cayenne but it also brings additional benefits that help with arthritis, asthma, upset stomach, bronchitis, sinusitis and rhinitis. Black pepper increases the absorption of turmeric when taken together.
Ginger is stimulating, warming, antibacterial, and boosts tremendous health benefits. Ginger is an excellent expectorant and antispasmodic helping to produce an effective, productive cough, without painful coughing fits.
Lemons and oranges aid in digestion, treat colds and flu, improve the function of blood vessels, and reduce inflammation water.
Turmeric relieves inflammation and is an excellent detoxifier. This root works best when combined with black pepper.
Raw apple cider vinegar has so many health benefits. It is a great source of vitamin C and has often been used to increase digestion, reduce symptoms of allergies, balance blood sugar and aid in weight loss. Raw apple cider vinegar by Bragg’s is best because it contains naturally occurring enzymes and probiotics.
Don’t throw away the spent herbs after infusing, you can use them in foods! Freeze in ice cube trays or dehydrate it, and add as a flavor base for soups, stew and sautés.
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