Today I made an Immunity Tonic that is most commonly known as "Fire Cider".
This tonic has been around for generations and is made in the fall before Cold/Covid and Flu seasons starts. I made enough for the whole family to have 1 - 2 tablespoons every day to boost their immunity and help to keep them well this winter.
I started out with a recipe that I found on Pinterest, but ended up using my intuition for some aspects of it and added herbs that are growing in my yard. The fun thing about making Fire Cider is that it can totally be customized so that it almost feels like a work of art after you're finished making it!
Here's my recipe (all organic):
1/2 onion - contains vitamin C, Potassium and Quercetin which is a powerful antioxident. It is known to inhibit the growth of bacteria including E Coli and Staph (among others)
8 cloves of garlic - this does more than keep vampires away! It is also antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, antiviral and the Allicin present in garlic is essential for a healthy heart
1/2 lemon - Vitamin C and helps with making this tonic more flavorful
1/2 grapefruit + the juice of the other half - most recipes call for an orange here, but I am intolerant to orange juice so I used a grapefruit for another source of Vitamin C
1 large cinnamon stick broken in half -anti-oxidant, ant-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, regulates blood sugar
2 tablespoons diced, fresh horseradish - first of all - OUCH, Horseradish is very irritating to the skin and eyes. Be careful. However, it is a very important ingredient as it is antibacterial, helps with circulation and clears mucus.
4 tablespoons of sliced fresh turmeric root - powerful as an anti- inflammatory, reduces pain and inflammation associated
8 black peppercorns - Black pepper is necessary to help with the absorption of the turmeric
2 tablespoons of dried, cut and sifted ginger root - for muscle aches and pain, nausea, it's an anti-inflammatory
8 rosehips - I harvested these from my yard. Each one contains the same amount of Vitamin C as 5 oranges
4 fresh sage leaves - also harvested from my yard. Sage ahs cleaning and purification properties. I only included 4 leaves because I know that most people in my family doesn't like the taste of sage
4 sprigs of thyme - Harvested from my window sill plant. Thyme has powerful anti-viral, antibacteral and ant-microbial properties. It is so powerful that many hospitals use Thymol as a disinfectant. I made a cough syrup out of thyme as well.
2 sprigs of rosemary - I love rosemary! It helps with headaches, body aches & spasms and foggy memory (a symptom of Covid)
1/2 jalapeno pepper - Peppers are a catalyst that help all the other herbs work better by increasing circulation. They are also rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Potassium. It also contains the compound Capasaisin which is an excellent pain reliever.
2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar
3 tablespoons of raw honey
I think everyone knows the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and Raw Honey
After adding the honey and Apple Cider Vinegar, I used a butter knife to chop and stab the contents to release their medicinal properties for a few minutes, closed the lid and shook it all up. Then I topped it off with more time and rosemary. I will shake it every day for 2 - 4 weeks, then strain it with a cheesecloth into another jar.
Are you going to make Fire Cider this winter?
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