In anticipation of seasons changing, cooling weather, moments of high stress, viruses, or added travel, fire cider can be your all natural support made preemptively. Each ingredient has a purpose, so choose the highest quality that you can find, organic is best. Ingredients & health benefits listed below…
Servings: Intended to fill up two 32oz. airtight glass jars. Once strained, will make about 4 cups of fire cider liquid.
Ingredients:
-2 oranges (rich in vitamin c)
-2 lemons (rich in vitamin c, improves digestion, etc.)
-1 large ginger root, chopped (decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, improves digestion, improves circulation, just an overall powerhouse)
-1/2lb turmeric root, peeled & chopped (anti-inflammatory)
-4tbsp. black peppercorn (turmeric becomes more bioavailable when paired with black pepper)
-16 garlic cloves, smashed (antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial)
-2 small onions, chopped (lowers cholesterol, regulates blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, & rich in antioxidants, protecting us from free radicals)
-Fresh rosemary (rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, improving blood circulation, which aids in healing)
-Fresh thyme (natural cough remedy, rich in vitamin c & a, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral, mood-boosting)
-4tbsp. local raw honey (antibacterial, anti-fungal, balances the strong flavor of other medicinal ingredients, local honey can acclimate us with nearby environments & improve allergy symptoms, raw honey allows for these benefits to be stronger instead of highly processed honey which can strip away these healing properties)
-Apple cider vinegar, I like Bragg’s or an organic brand sold with mother (thins mucus, reduces congestion, improves digestion, acetic acid levels help to stabilize blood sugar, can reduce blood pressure & cholesterol levels, malic acid levels make it anti-fungal, antiviral, & antibacterial. Should I keep going?)
Optional Additions:
-2 habaneros, chopped (increases blood circulation, which aids in healing & signals brain to release endorphins)
-Fresh horseradish (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, sulfur levels can help clear mucus supporting respiratory health, & promotes digestion)
Directions:
-Layer all ingredients evenly between two jars, layering honey throughout.
-Fill up with apple cider vinegar & close. I recommend using a plastic Ball jar cover to avoid rust. If using the traditional metal cover, place wax paper underneath before screwing on lid (as seen in the top photo).
-Shake up and down slowly a few times to get the juices flowing.
-Let sit for 1 month minimum in a cool & dark place, strain, and enjoy! The longer it sits, the stronger the fire cider gets, but I recommend consuming within 2 years of the bottling date. Feel free to write the bottling date on the jar for your reference.
For immune support, take a spoonful a day. I like to fill a shot glass for me and my partner & have a cheers, “To Life!” If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, fire cider can be added to salad dressings or used as a marinade for meat, fish, or tofu. Fire cider can also be turned into a sparkling tonic by adding seltzer, a sprig of fresh rosemary, & ice! You can add a spoonful to a mug of hot ginger & lemon tea as a replacement for drugstore Theraflu. A few other ingredients that you can try adding are star of anise, dried schizandra berries, or other chili peppers. Make a batch, taste it, & tweak ingredients to change the flavors to be more pungent or sweet. This also makes a great gift in the winter months!
Enjoy & let me know if you try it!
For your health,
Lily
