Red Root

☼ Fire Cider ☼

I first learned about this magical concoction last fall while interning at Herb Pharm and since then have been  eager to make my own. I started this batch of fire cider about a month ago now. While nestled on my kitchen shelf it has been inoculating itself with powerful immune boosting properties. Making it a beneficial anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, decongestant, digestive aid, and circulatory system stimulater. All of which are much appreciated during this time of weary bodies & minds, making it an admirable winter remedy. 

Fire cider is a traditional folk remedy passed down from grandmother, to daughter, to granddaughter, and in my case from teacher, to student. It is traditionally prepared on the new moon and buried in the earth until the full moon (a one month period of time), but this is best performed in the warmer spring and summer months when the ground isn't frozen. It's ingredients include a base of apple cider vinegar,  with accompaniment's of ginger root, horseradish root, garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, and the sweet touch of honey. Although ingredients have been known to vary, these few remain recipe monarchs. Fire cider can be taken straight in small doses  such as a tablespoon at a time (more if coming down with a cold), added to salad dressings, soups, stir-frys, rice and meat dishes, and just about anything else you can think of that is in need of an invigorating and restorative spicy tick. 

- Ingrediants -

(for a quart sized jar)

☼ Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

☼ 1/2 cup fresh Organic Ginger Root

☼ 1/2 cup fresh Organic Horseradish Root (very potent)

☼ 1 medium Organic Onion

☼ 5-10 cloves Organic Garlic

☼ 2 fresh Organic Jalapeño Peppers 

☼ Zest & juice of one Organic Lemon

☼ A few sprigs of fresh Organic Rosemary or 2 TBLS dried

☼ 1 TBLS Organic Turmeric powder or 1/2 TBLS Fresh Organic Turmeric Root

☼ Raw Local or Organic Honey to taste

Begin by chopping or grating all fresh ingredients. Then add fresh ingredients and dry ingredients (except honey) to a quart sized jar. Cover with apple cider vinegar. Cover jar with a small piece of wax paper and then secure jar with a tight fitting lid. Impart a blessing of healing and love upon your fire cider and shake your jar to infuse the ingredients together. Either bury or let sit in your kitchen for a months time. Then strain out solid ingredients with cheesecloth/strainer and pour remaining cider into a clean jar of choice, add honey to taste, refrigerate, and enjoy!