What is Fire Cider and How to Make It at Home
Here’s my recipe version of Fire Cider, a famous tonic folk herbal remedy recipe and immune system booster for health—especially in the cold, dark months of fall and winter. It’s good to keep on hand, ready to go; or drink a bit every day for your family’s wellness. It’s easy to make and adjust for your own needs, too!
School days seem so far away, don't they? After all--we are just getting ready to inch into July and the hot summer months will be upon us for awhile. But guess what? That means it's time to start getting your immune-boosting homemade Fire Cider ready for the Fall!
My version of this traditional herbal folk recipe for health is a tonic that is easy to make and unusually delicious. All you need to make it is a little time and some easy-to-find ingredients.
Here, we'll talk about all the benefits of Fire Cider, is the stuff really healthy? And how you can use it, even with kids! Plus, my recipe that is quite adjustable, as are all fire cider recipe variations.
**If you are reading this and we happen to be well into Fall or Winter---no problem! Go ahead and get some Fire Cider going anyway!
This is a beautiful guide to 10 common herbs plus a handy cheat sheet on how to use them for specific reasons. It’s perfect for your home apothecary or kitchen….and it’s FREE. Get yours sent to you now by clicking here!
Note: This article has been edited from its original version. Plus, FTC Disclosure: There are affiliate links scattered throughout this article. If you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!
What on Earth is Fire Cider, Anyway?
Fire Cider is an herbal infused vinegar that packs a powerful punch! It fends off colds and flu with the intense antibacterial and antiviral properties of the ingredients. It tastes great too! However, it's not for the faint of "stomach"!
The hot spices of this tonic are great for digestion, and they will definitely warm you up! Although hot and spicy, it is a delicious and tasty tonic. Keep reading, and you'll not only have the recipe, but ways to use it too! I just love this infusion for the Fall and Winter months. The thing is, it takes some time, so it's best to start making it early!
My recipe (like 1,000's of other versions) is inspired by Rosemary Gladstar's original recipe from the 1970's. I'm sure her version is based on an even more ancient recipe too, as I have heard this tonic dates back perhaps thousands of years.
Benefits of the Ingredients in Fire Cider
1) Vinegar
Usually raw apple cider vinegar, although I’ve made Fire Cider with many of my own versions of homemade vinegar made with fruit right from my orchard. As I write this I have a five gallon bucket of fermenting grapes in my storage room which is in the process of becoming a beautiful grape vinegar. You can find out how to make your own raw fruit vinegar from fruit in this link.
Raw Vinegar, the Foundation
Vinegar has been used medicinally and as a food for thousands of years. In fact, in Biblical times, vinegar was enjoyed in both of these ways. Ruth 2:14 in the Old Testament is a great example, where Boaz said to Ruth, “Have some bread and dip it in the vinegar.”
Residues of vinegar have been found in ancient Egypt, China, and in Europe. Hippocrates treated patients with remedies made of honey, vinegar, and herbs in 400 BC, and the Greeks and Romans kept barrels of vinegar in their home storage. Vinegars were used for preserving foods, cooking, body care, and cosmetics.
Traditionally made vinegar is a form of fermentation that goes through two stages. Usually, vinegar making starts with a sugar carbohydrate such as a fruit (apples, grapes, plums, etc.) that is mixed with water and exposed to the wild yeasts in the air. During the first stage of the process, the mixture turns to a form of alcohol, and this is where we may get wine. The second stage of the fermentation process is when it turns to vinegar. This process occurs when bacteria in the air convert the alcohol into acetic acid, and this is what gives vinegar its sour taste.
Raw vinegars will form a “mother” which is a gelatinous and/or precipitous growth in the vinegar that may be used to jump start new batches of homemade vinegar.
The great thing about homemade fruit vinegars or commercial raw vinegars is they contain many of the same nutrients and minerals of the original fruit used. These nutrients may include vitamin B’s, vitamin C, biotin, folic acid, and others. Mineral content may include types of sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Even some fiber is often retained in the raw vinegar in the form of any pectin the fruit may have.
The raw vinegar all by itself is a wonderful tonic for wellness! In fact, old country doctors turned to raw vinegars before they tried harsher “modern” medicines a couple of hundred years ago. Many of these doctors, including Dr. Jarvis in Vermont, found that raw vinegars did wonders for their livestock and animals as well.
Although modern medicine tends to shun raw vinegar as a health tonic, more and more studies are being done on vinegar as more and more people share the wealth of benefits they’ve received from its use. From weight loss to support of insulin resistance and blood sugar levels and more, science is concluding that raw vinegar can be a reputable and evidence-based support.
Because of the studies done on blood sugar levels, the American Diabetes Association has concluded that “vinegar can significantly improve postprandial insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant subjects” and that “further investigations to examine the efficacy of vinegar as an anti diabetic therapy are warranted.” (Diabetes Care)
Other studies have shown validation for the antibacterial nature of vinegar. Specifically, it’s been proven to kill E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and the lovely Candida albicans. More and more, we’re realizing that with super strains of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms on the modern scene, alternative natural therapies can be useful.
Sometimes even good things may have contraindications, though. Here are some things to keep in mind about vinegar, even high quality raw vinegar:
Although vinegar usually helps with most people’s digestive processes, for a few, it may exacerbate heartburn and indigestion. Usually diluting the vinegar in some water alleviates problems.
People with stomach ulcers should avoid vinegars of all kinds.
Vinegar, especially in its pure undiluted form, can erode tooth enamel in some individuals. Be sure to rinse and/or brush teeth well after drinking your Fire Cider!
Finally, I’ll end with a nice list of traditional uses of diluted raw vinegar to set your mind at ease:
Raw vinegar makes a delightful hair rinse and serves to condition and clarify the hair and scalp. Be sure to dilute it well.
Used on sunburns, it’s helpful in relieving pain.
Believe it or not, raw vinegar diluted in water and sipped during a meal may help reduce heartburn!
It’s great for fighting a variety of fungal infections including athlete’s foot and thrush.
As a post-workout drink! There’s some evidence that it may help counter the lactic acid that builds up in muscles after weight lifting or physical activity causing muscle soreness.
For digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, and others.
If using raw apple cider vinegar, the potassium it contains might just help thin the mucus, even without the help of medicinal herbs being added.
Raw apple cider vinegar can be excellent for sore throats. Here’s a quick remedy for you: Take 1/2 cup of lukewarm water. Add 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar. Add about 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, give or take. Gargle every hour on the hour.
Some people say it’s a great hangover remedy!
2) Onion
Onions are very dense with nutrient value, and have many health benefits because of this.
Supports the cardiovascular system. Containing quercetin, it supports heart health. Onions may also reduce LDL cholesterol in the body.
Antioxidants! There are over 17 different antioxidant compounds in onions. These help rid the body of dangerous free radicals. They may also keep you acting younger!
Some studies have shown that onions may have anti-cancer actions.
Eating onions daily might support healthy blood sugar levels, which is important for those who are pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Several studies have shown that eating onions daily or drinking onion juice daily helps to strengthen and protect bones.
Onions have antibacterial properties, and may specifically be helpful in fighting a certain bacteria (H. pylori) that causes ulcers.
As you can see, onions are absolutely amazing when it comes to your health. It’s a great idea to get that onion a day!
3) Garlic
Oh, lovely garlic! what is a spaghetti sauce or a pizza without it? Besides its delicious flavor, though, garlic is filled with health benefits!
Garlic is a wonderful preventive for the common cold. In fact, one large study found that taking garlic daily reduced participant’s getting the common cold by 63%! And on top of that, it speeds recovery by about 70%.
Garlic is now well-known to help reduce blood pressure. In fact, I use garlic on a daily basis along with other heart supportive herbs to manage my blood pressure naturally.
Eating garlic daily helps support cholesterol levels.
Some of the compounds garlic contains may help decrease dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Although longevity is impossible to prove, many doctors feel that garlic might add some time to our lives.
It just might help the body detox heavy metals. One study found that workers exposed to lead had a 19% improvement in levels after four weeks.
Like onions, garlic may improve bone health.
Contraindications for taking garlic——These are things to watch out for. One of these is bad breath. I know that for me, I don’t realize when I’ve had too much because I eat it and take a supplement every single day. But my mom notices! :-) Also, those taking blood thinners should speak with their doctor before taking garlic consistently or in large amounts.
4) Ginger Root
Ginger, besides being delicious, has some exceptional health benefits! Here’s a nice list for you:
It’s very effective against nausea, and that includes motion and morning sickness. It may be helpful for chemotherapy-related nausea, but there aren’t a great number of human studies in this regard yet.
Ginger may just help in the area of weight loss! Studies have shown that eating giner and ginger supplementation reduced overall BMI (body mass index) scores as well as insulin levels in the blood. Another study showed the waist-hip ratio in overweight people was improved significantly, which is linked to cardiovascular health.
Ginger just might be helpful with joint health, specifically, osteoarthritis, which is painful and debilitating.
May have anti-diabetic properties and improve A1c scores, which is a marker for longer term blood sugar levels. This information is based on a small study, and researchers are planning larger studies due to the stunning results.
Indigestion? Try ginger! Ginger speeds up the digestive process once food hits the stomach.
Ginger is excellent at helping reduce menstrual cramping. As an aromatherapist, one of my most popular blends contains high amounts of ginger, and it’s an excellent anti-spasmodic. One scientific study showed that ginger was as effective as two different types of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Ginger just may help lower cholesterol levels.
Supports brain health and protects against Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginger is helpful against bacteria that cause gum diseases.
Contraindications for ginger: If you are pregnant, be sure to discuss with your doctor how much ginger is safe for you.
5) Horseradish Root
I just LOVE horseradish root. The flavor is very pungent and similar to wasabi root, which is the green Japanese version of horseradish. Here are some of the health-related benefits and why it’s so excellent in your Fire Cider!
Horseradish contains a compound that may be helpful in the fight against certain cancers. These compounds are glucosinolates, and in the plant world protect plants from toxic environments.
Horseradish is rich in antioxidant properties. Free radicals do incredible damage to the body, and foods containing high levels of antioxidants can mitigate these effects.
May just be protective of microbes and harmful bacteria. In fact, horseradish essential oil has been proven to help protect spoilage of roast beef!
Because of the respiratory supporting actions of horseradish, it’s helpful to improve symptoms of bronchitis, sinusitis, and coughs. It’s a powerful decongestant all by itself!
Horseradish helps protect the bladder and urinary tract as well as the kidneys. It has been shown to speed the resolution of urinary tract infections.
Like many “hot” foods, horseradish is a helpful digestive support. It may even be helpful with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and diverticulitis.
It’s very anti-inflammatory and may relieve certain types of pain.
6) Cayenne Pepper
I find it crazy that with all that’s known about capsaicin, a compound found in cayenne pepper, research is still rather limited on the benefits of these delightful and beautiful red peppers. Most of the research is centered around the isolated compound, capsaicin, and herbalists know that there is a synergy in the way God made the plants. All the plant chemicals work together, and isolating compounds sometimes does more harm than good (aspirin is a great example—-find out about willow bark and how to make your own natural aspirin). At any rate, here are the benefits of cayenne:
It’s a wonderful pain reliever, both topically and internally. It’s very warming to the surface of the skin, and this can help with sore muscles and even joint pains.
Some studies have shown that capsaicin may improve athletic performance, and I personally believe this is because it greatly enhances circulation in the body. It’s stimulating.
Lower blood sugar levels.—-again, there is not much research on this.
Cayenne is loaded with nutritious plant chemicals including flavonoids, vitamin C, and carotenoids. All of these protect our body’s cells.
Improved cardiovascular function when taken daily. Actually, I have found this to be personally true. I take a bit of cayenne tincture on a daily basis.
Also, All About Cayenne by Heidi Villegas, a masterclass included in the Confident Herbalist Tribe
Heidi’s Basic Fire Cider Recipe
Ingredients for Heidi's Version of Fire Cider
*** 1 onion, chopped
*** 5-6 cloves of garlic, minced or chopped
*** 1/2 cup shredded ginger root (I used a cheese grater)
*** 1/2 cup shredded horseradish root (cheese grater again)
*** 3-5 sliced cayenne peppers (or Jalapeno...I grow them all, so when I make this I just use the hot peppers on hand....but DEFINITELY the cayenne for it's healing properties)
*** Raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (with the "mother"). I used a half gallon Mason jar, so you'll need quite a lot if you make this much at a time. You can also half the recipe and just use a quart size Mason jar too. NOTE: You can find out how to make your own raw apple cider vinegar here!
Molasses---to taste
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How to Make Heidi's Version of Fire Cider
1. Chop the onion and the garlic. Add to a quart wide-mouth Mason jar. Feel free to add more garlic! Garlic has incredible immune boosting properties!
2. Add the shredded ginger root and horseradish root. Warming and stimulating roots---great for the digestion too.
3. Add your peppers. Cayenne peppers, in particular, contain constituents that benefit many systems in the body, including the heart and joints.
4. Pour raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the "mother" over all to within an inch or so of the top.
5. I add about 2 tablespoons of the Molasses at this point, just so the flavor will soak into the herbs. You can also use honey, but add the honey AFTER the infusing is done, as I have heard the antibacterial properties of the honey may kill off the good bacteria in the infusion. I have no idea if this is true or not, but I suspect it’s not. You can also add the Molasses at the end too, if you prefer.
6. Cover with a plastic lid OR use the Mason jar lid, but put a piece of cloth under the lid part because the vinegar will corrode the metal.
7. Let infuse in a nice spot (I just put mine in a windowsill that gets hit with a little sunlight---you probably shouldn't let it sit in direct sun, but I have not ever had problems putting anything in this western facing sill) for about four weeks or so. Shake when you think about it.
If you forget about it, and it ends up infusing for longer, that's ok! You'll just have a super strong tonic! Rejoice! :-)
8. After it's done, just strain out the herbal matter, bottle it up, and enjoy!
Straining out the herbs.
Bottled up! This batch yielded almost two full quart jars of tonic! I'll be making some more in about three months or so.
Be sure to click here to get your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide and cheat sheet! It’s perfect for your kitchen or home apothecary. Start making home remedies today!
Ways to Use Fire Cider:
Are you wondering how to use fire cider? Yep. I was too, when I first heard of this amazing herbal concoction. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
As a Daily Tonic:
Just drink a tablespoon or two a day! You can take it straight if you're brave, or, if you are like me, just mix it into some water. You will be amazed at how great it makes you feel!
As a Hangover Remedy:
I have never actually tried this myself, but I have heard Fire Cider works wonders as a remedy for when you have imbibed too much!
As a Dressing:
YES! It tastes that good! You can mix it with some oil, and it makes a completely delicious dressing.
In Your Cooking:
You can use it in your casseroles, sauces, etc. Just know that the heat will kill the good bacteria from the "mother" in the ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar). But the herbs still work, and so does the vinegar!
For Occasional Use When Feeling Like You are About to Get Sick....or IF You are Under the Weather----
Fill a small glass half full of the Fire Cider and mix up with half water. Sip and enjoy! If this is too strong, just dilute a bit more with the water. Drink throughout the day or as you feel like it. It really does help kick colds and flus faster, in my experience!
You can find out lots more home remedies for cold and flu on the website. Here is one about how to deal with cold and flu symptoms if one gets hold of you, in spite of all your efforts!
Here’s a version of my Fire Cider recipe that herbalist Paula Lyons made (and photo is hers, as well). Isn’t it beautiful?
Fire Cider FAQ’s
Sometimes things happen with your Fire Cider, and other times you might just have a great question. Here are some of the most common questions I’ve had myself or been asked by others.
You might be wondering about the shelf life of your Fire Cider?
Most herbalists tend to agree that herbal infused vinegars will last around six months, and even up to many years if only dried ingredients are used. I do suggest keeping it in the refrigerator only because you are adding moisture if you choose to use fresh vegetables and citrus fruits.
Oh-oh! Why did my garlic cloves turn blue or green?
Depending on the soil you grow your garlic in, it may contain constituents that might react with the acid in the vinegar, turning it blue or possible green. Don’t worry! Enjoy its lovely color… It’s perfectly harmless. It’s very safe to eat.
What happens if I can’t find one of the ingredients?
In some areas of the country, horseradish for example, is very hard to find in the stores. In fact, that’s how it is where I live. I have to grow it myself, or I just don’t have horseradish! Luckily, Fire Cider recipes are forgiving and flexible! Use some additional heat if you like (cayenne or jalapeños) or consider some additional ginger. Try some of the variation ingredients in the next section, too!
Can I reuse the herbs to make another batch?
I don’t recommend this because once herbs have infused into a solvent, they are “spent.” However, you sure can use them in some stew, soup, or stir fry and enjoy them that way!
Final Thoughts on Making Fire Cider
You know what? I love this stuff! I love how it tastes! I love that you can cook with it! You can even use it on salads and in dressings. This was one of the first herbal preparations I ever made when I began studying herbalism almost a decade ago. It's never too late to start!
If you are going to use it as a tonic for your children, though be sure you dilute it as it can be very spicy.
You may also enjoy these related articles:
Natural and Herbal Ways to Deal with Cold & Flu Symptoms (congestion, fever, cough, aches, more)
VIDEO: How to Correctly Use Elderberry and Echinacea PLUS a Recipe for Elderberry and Echinacea Tincture (please subscribe!)
Hey! Are you interested in getting started learning more about using herbs for your health? It's so very empowering!
Check out our School of Botanical Arts & Sciences! There’s a course for you. Here’s a link to some of our most popular courses.
You may also enjoy joining us in the Confident Herbalist Tribe community! There are now over 55+ courses, including one on Cold and Flu, among many others, all for a very low monthly price. It’s an affordable and fun way to learn herbalism! What makes it fun? The community, where we gather daily to share and once a week have a live Question and Answer chat on all things herbal.
I hope to see you in a class soon! I hope you enjoyed this great recipe for Fire Cider.
Hugs, health, & Self-Reliance!
Heidi
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Disclaimer: The information in this article, elsewhere on my blog, in my shop sites, in conversations, and on labels is for informational purposes only and not meant to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor, so please see a medical professional for concerns. I simply provide my own personal advice based on experience and study for ways to live a healthy and natural way of life. I disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of any of the information contained in this article or elsewhere on this website. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Fire Cider is a Fall and Winter health and wellness tonic drink you'll want to start making now to be ready for cold and flu season. It's an easy to make immune boosting sipping drink that can even be used in your cooking! Find out my version of this popular recipe for Fire Cider by clicking through and giving it a try! #firecider #benefits #homeremedies #immuneboostingfoods #immuneboost #howtomake #getridofcold #natural #remedy #healingharvesthomestead #rosemarygladstar