Kitchen herbs have a deep history of being used to promote health and ward off illness. A popular and simple formula that you can make now is called fire cider. Using this daily throughout the winter can boost your health and it tastes good too. You can use it in cooking or take just as a tonic. I originally was introduced to this formula as Dr. Shultz’s health tonic and just put the herbs together with some apple cider vinegar. I then found out there is a whole following of home tonics. I got this recipe from the book Fire Cider! 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar by Rosemary Gladstar and Friends.
FIRE CIDER
Fire cider is a traditional homemade herbal remedy made with kitchen herbs and apple cider vinegar. Moving into fall now is a great time to make fire cider. There are a lot of recipes out there. This one is based on herbalist Rosemary Gladstar’s recipe from the above book. You can drink a shot glass of this formula daily throughout the winter season.
You can likely get fresh horseradish root at either Asian markets or a well-stocked grocery store. I grow my own. It’s really easy, all you need is a part of a root with a sprout on it and just put it in the ground. Horseradish grows very easily and multiplies. I got my start from a friend’s dad.
- 1/2 cup fresh grated horseradish root
- 1/2 cup or more chopped onion
- 1/4 cup or more chopped garlic
- 1/4 cup or more grated ginger
- jalapeno chopped to taste
Apple cider vinegar – raw organic is best
Raw, local honey
Place herbs in clean 1/2 gallon mason jar, pour enough vinegar in the jar to cover the herbs by 3-4 inches. Seal the jar with a tight fitting lid and put in a warm location. Shake daily to help with the maceration process.
After 3-4 weeks, strain the herbs, reserving the liquid. Warm the honey so it will easily mix into the herbal liquid. Add honey to taste. It should be hot, spicy, and sweet. Just like Mary Poppins says, “a spoonful of honey makes the medicine go down!”
Make sure you label and date your bottle. Store in the refrigerator, although it will be stable at room temperature for several months.
ENJOY!
