Learn how to make this fire cider recipe and survive cold and flu season! This homemade fire cider is an immune-boosting tonic that contains gut-healing, antibacterial ingredients to support your system. Use it daily or double up when you feel a cold coming on.
What Is Fire Cider?
It is a collection of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, mixed with apple cider vinegar and fermented for a few weeks.
Most of the ingredients you’ll have on hand and all of them have their own chart stopping benefits (like the benefits of turmeric and how to use it). The main ingredients are:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Turmeric
Note: I’m no doctor or even an herbalist (just an every day Certified Nutrition Coach). This is just a tonic I make for myself and my family. Consult doctors' friends.
Benefits Of Homemade Fire Cider
Fire cider is a winter tonic that helps boost the immune system and prevent colds.
Because it uses so many ingredients that are anti-bacterial in nature, it is a great way to stay healthy over cold season, along with this homemade honey cough syrup!
Likewise, not only does it help prevent colds in the first place but it can also help alleviate cough and cold symptoms faster if you get one.
Basically, its benefits include:
- Boosted immune system
- Fewer colds
- Helps fight bacteria like Candida
- High in antioxidants
- Can reduce inflammation (in the belly, in joints etc)
- Aids in digestion
How To Make Fire Cider
Step 1: Divide all ingredients evenly (except apple cider vinegar) into two large mason jars.
Step 2: Pour apple cider vinegar over the ingredients so that the vinegar is roughly two to three inches above.
Step 3: Weigh the ingredients down with a plastic baggie with water and let ferment for at least four weeks.
How To Use It
There are a few ways to go about using homemade fire cider. For immune support and digestion, the brave of heart simply take one shot daily to help prevent colds.
If you feel a scratchy throat coming on, you can take 2-3 shots throughout the day to really give your system a hit
However, many people don’t enjoy the taste of fire cider by itself. In which case, you can use the fire cider in a recipe to consume it more frequently. It can be pretty delicious as:
- A salad dressing (whisk in more honey and some Dijon mustard)
- A marinade
- Sauteed onto greens
Other Ways To Relieve Cold Symptoms
The truth is, there is no one thing that is going to keep you healthy- it’s a collection of things. Come wintertime, below are a few of the things we do and keep on hand to prevent and relieve any cough or cold symptoms.
- Keeping Homemade Cough Drops On Hand (both in honey lemon flavor and elderberry throat lozenges)
- Homemade elderberry cough syrup
- good old fashioned, super healthy eating
- staying hydrated
- Homemade honey and garlic elixir for coughs and colds
And though dairy-free probiotic foods won't relieve cold symptoms, they will help you from getting the symptoms so I try to rotate through a lot of those also.
Using Bone Broth For Your Immune System
Another way to both fight colds as well as prevent them is to use bone broth! It’s actually one of my most recommended foods for toddlers because it’s so healing. However, making homemade broth takes a lot of time.
However, there is a solution: bone broth powder from perfect supplements (use code mamabear10). This powder works just like any other broth and all you need to do is whisk it into boiling water (or make a crazy, gut-healing chocolate smoothie)
Perfect Supplements uses only the highest quality products and this bone broth powder is free from additives and spices. Plus, it uses grass-fed, organic chickens.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Cider
It almost has a spicy tangy combination of flavors. It is vinegar-based but the fire from the horseradish and jalapeno take over.
Almost like taking a shot of spiced pickle juice.
However, it also depends on how much (if any) honey has been added.
Because the base of the fire cider is vinegar, it does not need to be refrigerated. However, it does need to be stored in a cool dark place.
That said, if not stored in the fridge, it will continue to ferment slightly and get more and more potent. Storing it in the fridge stops the fermentation. The tonic will last roughly one year.
Natural Cough & Cold Remedy
Video
Equipment
- Large mason jars
- Cheesecloth
Ingredients
- ½ cup pearl onions peeled and sliced
- ½ cup turmeric root peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup ginger root peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup horseradish peeled and chopped
- ½ jalapeno seeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 1 bottle apple cider vinegar large
Instructions
- Divide all ingredients evenly (except apple cider vinegar) into two large mason jars.
- Pour apple cider vinegar over the ingredients so that the vinegar is roughly two to three inches above.
- Fill a small Ziplock bag ⅓ of the way with water. Place the baggy into the jar and use a spatula to press all the roots/ingredients down as much as possible to make sure everything is submerged.
- Tie off the bag or wrap around mouth of the jar. Place parchment paper over the jar and then cap the jar.
- Let ferment in a dark area for four weeks. When ready, strain out the roots and whisk in raw, local honey to taste.
Notes
- Any kind of onion will work for the recipe
- Chop the vegetables finely so that they can infuse better
- Make sure to use raw honey (unpasteurized) for the biggest benefits
- Flavor with honey to taste depending on what you’re using it for (salad dressing, shots etc)
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
If you want to prevent colds during this winter season, rock this fire cider recipe! The ingredients are all anti-bacterial, help fight inflammation, and most importantly, help you boost your immune system, so you don’t get sick.
Lucy says
Used this recipe during a recent bout of colds. It was warming and seemed to help. I'll be prepping this again for the colder months. Also got some positive feedback from the family!
fitasamamabear says
Amazing!
Lex says
I made this for myself but shockingly my kids actually like it! it's been a life saver since the littlest one started daycare and has been bringing home all kinds of germs.
fitasamamabear says
Haha my kids use it too thankfully!
Ellen says
This recipe is a lifesaver during the sniffle season! Packed with immune-boosting nutrients, it's my new go-to remedy for cold and flu vibes. Thanks for sharing!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you liked it!
Pepper says
I keep reading about this drink and finally made it. Tasted great and none of the kiddos are sick! Will be making it again.
fitasamamabear says
Glad you gave it a go!
Joy says
This was so helpful to have when my kids got sick. I'm about to make another batch soon since the sicknesses are only getting worse!
fitasamamabear says
Such a great one to have on hand!