Fire Cider

Fire Cider is a spicy tonic full of anti-inflammatory and digestion-stimulating vegetables, herbs, and spices. It is used to prevent and treat colds by boosting the immune system. It also can also soothe the throat, fight infection open the sinuses, stimulate blood blood circulation and generally improve health.

Fire Cider is an oxymel, an inexpensive and easy-to-make elixir with a storied past. The ancient Greek word oxymeli translates to “acid and honey.” The simplest definition is an herbal extraction of vinegar and raw honey. The origination of Fire Cider has been credited to Hippocrates’ vinegar-honey oxymel nearly 2500 years ago.

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Details about the power-packed main ingredients in Fire Cider, as well as optional additions, are posted further down on this page.

You can watch a video of me teaching a class on making fire cider at the medicinal herbs garden.

Using Fire Cider as a Tonic

Mary Poppins touted a spoonful of sugar, but a teaspoon of Fire Cider once or twice a day is a terrific health tonic — straight or diluted in a beverage such as tea, fruit juice, lemonade, or tonic water:

first thing in the morning as a daily eye-opener;
after a large meal to aid digestion.

I don’t drink Fire Cider every day. However, one of my favorite uses is for making salad dressing, in place of plain vinegar, so I do consume it regularly. Here are some other ways to use Fire Cider in place of vinegar in everyday cooking:

in sauces, vinaigrettes, and salad dressings (click here for some suggestions);
in casseroles;
in sweet-and-sour soups
when stir-frying;
sprinkled over cooked veggies, scrambled eggs or potatoes;
on baked potatoes;
to flavor steamed vegetables or sautéed greens;
in marinades for meat or tofu;
in soups or chili.

Using Fire Cider for Illness

When the cold and flu season comes around, be prepared with Fire Cider as a preventative.
If I feel like I may be getting the flu, or know I have been exposed to someone who is ill, I will take 1 teaspoon several times a day.
At the first sign of a cold, I will take 1-2 teaspoons and continue every 2-3 hours throughout the day until symptoms subside.
If I develop a scratchy or sore throat, or even feel one coming on, I gargle with straight Fire Cider and then swallow it. The ingredients work pretty well at killing off viruses that might be lurking. I repeat every couple of hours until the sore throat goes over.
For a cough syrup, add Fire Cider to honey.
For congestion, add 2-3 teaspoons of Fire Cider to 8 ounces of hot tea or hot water (and perhaps a bit of honey and lemon to taste); then breath in the vapors as you sip.
For sore muscles or to aid peripheral circulation, use externally as a compress.

Contraindications

The herbs in this formula can affect individuals who are taking blood thinning medications or aspirin.
Anyone undergoing any surgical procedures should stop taking blood thinning herbs at least two weeks prior to and one week following surgery.
Fire Cider is a very strong tonic so it’s best to not take it on an empty stomach. Individuals with a sensitive, acid reflux or chronic heartburn, gastric ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, or flatulence should use with caution.
There is strong evidence that horseradish can lead to miscarriage especially in early pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedy or tonic during pregnancy.
Rinse the mouth with water after consuming anything with vinegar, including fire cider — vinegar of any sort may be hard on tooth enamel if it remains on one's teeth.

Some Properties of Fire Cider

Antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal.
Contains probiotics.
Enhances the immune system.
Most of the herbs contained in the blend have expectorant properties.
Adjunct treatment for sinusitis, bronchitis, allergies, poor circulation, and for digestive infections.
Increases the blood flow and the amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues.
Aids the removal of waste products from the tissues.
May be beneficial in both the treatment and prevention of arteriosclerosis.
Many of the herbs used in Fire Cider help lower elevated cholesterol levels, lower LDLs, and increase HDLs.
Some of the herbs used in this formula have blood thinning properties which can be beneficial for people with elevated blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.

Fire Cider Ingredients

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is rich in enzymes and minerals, and it’s unpasteurized. It’s the foundation for a successful fermentation process so the active ingredients get extracted and fully infused together to get the best possible fire cider.
Gives the sour to the "sweet, sour and spicy" in this recipe.
More than just adding a bit of pep to the blend. There are books written on the value of ACV because it's that good for you. Full of trace vitamins and minerals, ACV supports the immune system, helps digest food, prevents indigestion, eases allergies and can help control diabetes, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, just to name a few.
We want the acid levels stronger so that the food doesn’t ferment in your stomach.
Raw ACV is the best vinegar choice, in my opinion – when you get an unfiltered brand you get the added benefits of the probiotics it contains.
Helps diabetics control blood sugar levels.
Promotes healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Kills cancer cells and slows their growth.
Supports healthy weight loss.
Improves digestion and absorption of food.
Creates a balanced and healthy gut biome with friendly bacteria.

Garlic

The active ingredient in garlic, allicin, increases by several times after raw garlic has been chopped or crushed and left to sit for about ten minutes. This is a great way to get the most bang for your buck from your garlic. Eating it raw is the best way to consume it.
Garlic is known as “The Poor Man’s Antibiotic.”
It has been used in medicine for centuries.
It contains many antioxidants — preventing cell damage from free radicals.
It helps regulate blood pressure.
It is said to stave off bladder and kidney infections, yeast infections, strep throat and ear infections.
Researchers report that regular garlic consumption can help prevent the growth of cancerous cells, hardening of arteries, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Ajoene is the garlic compound related to more biological activities, as showed in in vitro and in vivo systems. Those studies found that ajoene has antithrombotic, anti-tumoral, antifungal, and antiparasitic effects.

Onion

The onion is quite nutritious and contains many vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, B6, C, Folate and the minerals Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium and Zinc.)
Onion is great for treating coughs, colds, the flu and many other illnesses.
An antioxidant, the onion has a high concentration of the beneficial polyphenol flavonoid quercetin (studied for its ability to prevent histamine release).
It is antibacterial and helps fight yeast infections.

Ginger

There seems to be hardly anything that ginger can’t help with!
Very warming.
Helps to stimulate peripheral circulation, keeping your hands and feet warm and your brain active.
Aids in stomach issues including nausea and vomiting and sluggish digestion, colic
Pain relief - arthritis, headaches and menstrual pain.
Wards off colds and flu.
Reduce fever and chills.
Thin mucus and help move it out of the sinus cavities.
Lowers cholesterol.
Ginger is a synergist — it increases the actions of other herbs and boosts their effectiveness by relaxing blood vessels and increasing circulation, thus carrying the active constituents of the other herbs more efficiently throughout the body.

Horseradish

Great for all things sinus — opens and loosens up the mucus to help with draining.
Kills the infection.
Member of the Brassicaceae family (think cruciferous vegetables like broccoli) – a high intake of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of cancers, particularly those of the lung and the gastrointestinal tract.
Beneficial in respiratory tract and urinary tract infections.
Effective for promoting stomach secretions and often used as a digestive agent.

Hot Pepper

Cayenne or other hot pepper (according to personal taste)
Very warming and stimulates the circulatory system
Offers a more intense stimulating effect on the circulatory system than, say, ginger.
Very useful to promote the movement of mucous from the body.
Acts as an anti-inflammatory, which often our entire body needs, both inside and out.
The active ingredient is called capsaicin – very effective against pain and inflammation.
Cayenne pepper is a common oral remedy for stomach and digestive issues as well as circulation problems.
Strong antioxidant capacity.
Improves circulation by preventing blood from clotting.
Stimulates the brain to secrete endorphins.
Relieves pain.
Treats arthritis, high cholesterol, colds, coughs, the flu, dysentery and sore throats.
Detoxifies by increasing internal body temperature and metabolism – helps detox the bad stuff faster.

Fire Cider is very versatile and there are so many other herbs, roots, and peels that can be added to the above ingredients to achieve the desired taste and strength. Here are some optional additions.

Raw Honey

Left in its natural state with all of its medicinal constituents intact.
This amazing compound has impressive antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties.
Raw honey has been shown to strengthen the immune system and help eliminate allergies and respiratory conditions.
Very soothing internally and is great for soothing sore throats and coughs during an illness.
Local honey can help ease the problems of seasonal allergies because local honey contains pollen from the area, the very pollen that causes your allergies. By taking a daily dose, it acts as a sort of natural vaccination, giving your body a minute dose that can be tolerated and grown accustomed to, helping your body get the ability to fight off the invading pollen from the air.
May help to lower cholesterol when taken daily.
Illness prevention and treatment (especially during cold and flu season).
Potent immune booster.
Note: For those with allergic reactions to bee stings, use another sweetener or leave unsweetened.

Citrus

Peels, slices, or juices of fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit.
Stimulates the appetite by encouraging the release of gastric juices to digest food, and helps provide Vitamin C
Lemons support digestion, specifically hydrochloric acid production (adequate levels of HCl in the stomach are critical for the proper absorption and digestion of nutrients).
Lemons also contain large amounts of Antioxidants, Vitamin C, Essential oils in the zest/peel, citric acid, which really supports your body’s ability to detox.

Turmeric

Contains curcumin - main active ingredient and polyphenol responsible for the yellow color) and curcumin has been gaining more and more attention in the world of research.
Anti-inflammatory, Anti-cancer, Antioxidant.
Helps reverse and prevent heart disease, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fights Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and other age-related diseases.

Blac k Pepper

Increases bioavailabilty of curcurmin in turmeric.

Other possible additions

Berries of all sorts. Bilberries, in particular, can support eye health support
Calendula flowers are a great antiviral and can offer great support for the lymphatic system.
Cinnamon can reduce sugar cravings (I prefer sticks or chips).
Fennel Seed can aid digestion.
Lemon Balm adds nice taste and can be relaxing to the nervous system.
Rose Hips are one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin C.
Spilanthes is a fabulous antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, "anti-illness" herb.
Star Anise is flavorful and serves as the active ingredient in over-the-counter Tamiflu.
Tulsi can encourage calm response to stress.
Any of the culinary herbs such as Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme (raw, grated, or dry).
Wild greens such as Dandelion (good for everything!), Mustards, Nettle, Plantain.
Wild roots such as Burdock (sweet with a mucilaginous/slippery consistency that soothes mucus membranes, Dandelion, Solomon's Seal, Yellow Dock.