The winter months are considered cold and flu season, but our immune systems can be susceptible to infections all year round. Eating cold-fighting foods and living an immune-supporting lifestyle are helpful year-round. However, when you’re stung by a nasty bug, you don’t always want to cook broth or stir a bowl of soup. Here comes a great fire cider recipe – with one quick shot, you’re inundated with nourishing power!
The taste of fire cider is, in all honesty, downright gross. And yet it is extremely effective, which is why it is an essential tincture to have on hand in our culinary food pantry. What makes fireproof cider so powerful? First of all, its main ingredients are the roots, all of which contain phytochemicals that protect them from the harsh environment underground. When we consume these roots, we get this protection too! Let’s take a detailed look at what’s in our fireproof cider recipe.
Fire Cider Ingredients: Why They’re IMMUNE SUPPORT
- Horseradish: This bitter root it is extremely anti-inflammatoryincreases circulation and blood flow, helps clear the sinuses, and has anticancer properties due to glucosinolate contenta family of compounds that neutralize cancer cells and help us detox.
- Onions: These contain a substance called Onionin A, which helps fight inflammation and supports the immune system. They also contain sulfur antibacterial and antiviral compounds, are a good source of vitamin C, and have a flavonoid called quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells from damage and has flu-fighting properties.
- Garlic: Garlic has a strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It has been used throughout history to prevent infections, and more recently scientists have discovered consuming garlic when you are sick boosts immune cell function, reduces cold symptoms, and reduces the severity of colds and flu.
- Ginger: If you have nausea, ginger calms the stomach and reduces nausea. It also contains anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerbreadwhich are strong compounds that prevent inflammationas well as fresh ginger prevent viruses from sticking to our airways.
- Red pepper: A strong spice to handle, but the cayenne helps increase blood flowreduce inflammation and painsupport immunity and clear congestion.
- Apple cider vinegar: As a fermented food, apple cider vinegar helps improve digestion and the immune system. In a mulled cider recipe, it helps bring out the properties of the other ingredients. Discover 20 more ways to use apple cider vinegar throughout your home.
- Raw honey: Added after the distillation process to help sweeten the bitter taste of fire cider, raw honey is a natural sweetener that contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It also has amino acids (the building blocks of protein) that help with healing and repair.
how to make fireproof cider: a step by step guide
Our fire cider recipe is based on proportions so you can modify it to suit your needs or how much fire cider you want to dye. It’s a versatile recipe!
Equipment you will need:
- Wide mouth jar, either 500ml or 1 liter/quart (note: your ingredients should fill the jar about halfway)
- Strainer with fine mesh or cheesecloth
- Medium sized bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Masking tape and pen/marker
Materials you will need:
- 1 part garlic
- 1 part horseradish
- 1 part onion
- 1/2 part fresh ginger
- A pinch of cayenne (or more if you can tolerate it)
- Apple cider vinegar, enough to cover all ingredients
- Honey to taste
What to do:
- Cut the fresh garlic, onions and horseradish into small pieces. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes to activate the ingredients in the garlic and onion after you chop them.
- Grate fresh ginger.
- Add the garlic, onions, horseradish and ginger to the jar. It should fill the jar about half full.
- Cover the ingredients with apple cider vinegar (keep the vinegar about two to three inches above the roots).
- Add cayenne. Cover the jar with the lid and shake well.
- Label the jar using tape, noting the name of the recipe and the date.
- Let sit in a cool, dark place for two to four weeks.
- Place your mesh strainer or cheesecloth over the bowl, then strain and discard the used herbs.
- Add honey to taste when serving.
How to use Fire Cider
- As a precaution: If you can handle it, a small daily dose works to keep your immune system strong.
- As a cold and flu remedy: If you feel a cold coming on or have a full blown cold, drink a small shot daily.
- As a cooking ingredient: Liquid fire cider has a salty and tangy quality – add a small amount to salad dressings, dips, sauces or other recipes for flavor. It basically works as a great homemade seasoning.
More ideas for tinctures that support the immune system
There are a wide variety of herbs and roots that you can use to make tinctures! First, check out our Guide to Homemade Tinctures and Tonics for all the common methods you can use to make them. It’s easy to learn how to make tinctures and the possibilities with herbs are huge. Some of our favorite immune-supporting herbs include:
- Ginger: Anti-inflammatory, immune booster and great for nausea.
- Reishi/Chaga: Immune regulation, has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Echinacea: It stimulates the immune system, has antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects.
- Licorice: An excellent digestive aid, and it is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial.
- Turmeric: Strongly anti-inflammatory and contains anti-cancer properties.
- Elderberries: Rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin C.
- Culinary Adaptogens: These help our bodies adapt to mental, physical and emotional stress. They bring our body back into balance.
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We love immune-supporting tinctures because they’re long-lasting, potent, and convenient when you feel something coming on. You may curse us when you take that first shot of cider, but once you reap the benefits, you’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again.
