Make your Own: Fire Cider

If you’ve ever had Fire Cider, then you will not forget it! This warming and tasty blend is a great addition to all kitchens and medicine cabinets. I love adding it as a salad dressing, topping off soups and using it as a marinade. The age-old question is, is it food or is it medicine? Maybe it doesn’t really need to classified into either category, because food is medicine. When we put good things into our bodies we get good healthy results. Ultimately, I am seeing a wave of awareness in folks that want a transition in lifestyles towards incorporating “food as medicine.” We are constantly re-learning what is good for our bodies and how to keep them a well-oiled machine. Fire Cider is one of my favorite ways to give my digestion or immune system a little boost. Anytime I am feeling sick or sluggish I just take a bit of fire cider and quickly I am on my way to feeling better. Vinegar infusions have been used all over the world to extract medicines of all kinds. Try making your own blend of infusions. Want it a bit sweeter add a little honey or maple syrup. Make yourself an herbal salad dressing that will ease digestion or a batch of bitters for your holiday cocktails. Rosemary Gladstar, a grandmother of American Herbalism, was one of the first to bring Fire Cider to the public eye. This was the first Fire Cider Recipe I ever made and I want to share it with you! Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Fire Cider Recipe: Here’s what you will need: 1- 1/2 cup ginger, fresh (grated) 1/2 cup horseradish (fresh, grated) 1 onion (chopped) 10 cloves garlic (crushed or chopped) 2 pepper, jalapeño (chopped) 1 lemon (zest of) 2 tablespoons rosemary, dried (or several sprigs of fresh rosemary) 1 tablespoon turmeric, ground Apple cider vinegar (at least 32oz) 1/4 cup honey (plus more to taste) 1-Quart size jar *Several containers for putting the Fire Cider in. To Make Your Own: Fire Cider Put ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, peppers, lemon zest, lemon juice, rosemary and turmeric in a quart canning jar. Cover with apple cider vinegar by about two inches. Use a piece of natural parchment paper or wax paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place for one month and shake daily. After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquid goodness as you can from the pulp while straining. Add ¼ cup of honey and stir until incorporated. Taste your cider and add another ¼ cup until you reach desired sweetness. Fire cider should taste hot, spicy and sweet. It is great as a winter time tonic and as a remedy for colds and coughs. Often people use it as salad dressing, on rice, or with steamed vegetables. To Use: Take a sip of the Fire Cider when needed or add to your foods. Learning to make your own herbal products is a fun evolution to bringing balance to your life. On your person and in your home. We understand that not everyone likes to make his or her own products and we take great pleasure in creating products and recipes for you. However, if you are interested in going more in depth to make all your own herbal products get signed up for THS Make Your Own: Herbal Product Series, Beginning in January 2019. In this 4 month, hand-on, program we will dive into making an assortment of products for your hair, skin, body and home. Space is limited. Secure your spot today! To set up an herbal consultation with me email: info@theherbshoppepharmacy.com