Name: Fire Cider Immune Tonic
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped horseradish; 1/2 cup fresh chopped and peeled ginger; 1 medium white onion (chopped); 2 jalapeno (finely chopped); 1/4 cup local raw honey; 1 rosemary sprig (leaves finely chopped); 1 tablespoon powdered turmeric; 16 ounces apple cider vinegar with mother

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

5 Reasons You Should Make Fire Cider — Fire Cider Ingredients

Table of Contents

Some of the links on this page contain affiliate links. Renaissance Path is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to products. We only link to products we normally use and trust. When you purchase an item through the link we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps pay for the costs associated with running this blog. Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank You!

What is FireCider?

Fire Cider is an immune-boosting herbal tonic. Some people refer to Fire Cider as an Oxymel. If you add honey to your Fire Cider it is an oxymel.

Fire Cider is made by infusing chopped garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers in raw apple cider vinegar in a glass container for 2-4 weeks and then straining off the liquid. Honey can be added later to improve the taste. The liquid is what is considered Fire Cider. It is a spicy and fiery concoction that is thought to boost your immune system.

History of fire cider

Fire Cider has been around since the early 1980s. The name Fire Cider was coined by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Rosemary taught her students at the California School of Herbal Studies how to make Fire Cider. Fire Cider is similar to Cyclone Cider although Cyclone cider usually has sliced lemon, orange, and parsley.

There is some recent controversy over Fire Cider. On April 20, 2012, a company called Shire City Herbals (SCH) filed for trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the name Fire Cider.

Why was this an issue? Well, many small herbal companies and herbalists had been selling Fire Cider at farmers’ markets for decades. Now they were suddenly getting cease and desist letters to stop using the name Fire Cider. They felt fire cider was an herbal tradition available for all to use and should not be trademarked.

As you can imaging this was very upsetting to many people. Within a couple of days a movement began. This movement was called Free Fire Cider and over 9,000 people signed it to Free Fire Cider from its trademark.

The courts ruled in favor of the Free Fire Cider movement and Fire Cider is no longer trademarked to make a long story short. You can read more about that story here.

What are the benefits of Fire Cider?

Fire Cider is made with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is high in acetic acid. Acetic acid has many wonderful benefits.

Kills Bacteria– acetic acid is a strong antibacterial. It was shown in studies to be effective at killing drug-resistant strains of mycobacteria (1). The honey in Fire Cider is also antimicrobial as well as garlic.

Aids in Weight Loss-The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar was shown in studies to improve insulin sensitivity. Acetic acid improves the glycemic response to carbohydrate-rich meals(2),(3),(4). Because Fire Ciders’ main ingredient is apple cider vinegar, it may also help with weight loss and glycemic response.

May Lower Blood Pressure– Several studies have demonstrated that acetic acid in vinegar reduces blood pressure (5),(6). Fire Cider contains garlic which is known to be antihypertensive (7).

Supports Your Immune System– Fire Cider can help support your immune system because it has probiotics. The anti-inflammatory ingredients like onions, garlic, and ginger keep inflammation in check. It also has anti-microbial properties.

Anti-inflammatory– Acetic acid was shown in animal studies to decrease inflammatory cytokines which contribute to inflammation and pain(8). Fire Cider has ginger which is a very well-known anti-inflammatory(9).

Why is fire cider good for you?

Let’s go over the ingredients individually and talk about what each one brings to the table.

Horseradish root has been used for centuries to treat bacterial infections and was shown to be anti-inflammatory(10). Horseradish is in the brassica family. It is rich in phytochemicals.

Horseradish root increases digestive enzymes and can help with the digestion of fatty foods. This is most likely why it is served alongside a fatty steak as a condiment. Horseradish is a pungent food, just a little bit can help with congestion of sinuses.

Horseradish contains glucosinolates which have anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory abilities(11), (12).

Garlic-This culinary herb not only tastes delicious it is so good for you. I would say it is most well known for its ability to help reduce the number of colds you get (13). I have several family members that swear by it.

Garlic is also good for your heart and was even shown to reduce high blood pressure in patients (14),(15).

Onion– This pungent vegetable/herb is used all over the world in cuisine. But did you know it has so many other benefits? Onion is high in Quercetin. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine, it is also anti-inflammatory.

Onions were shown to have anti-asthmatic, and anti-carcinogenic properties. They also have anti-platelet activity and have antibiotic properties(16).

Hot Peppers-. When making Fire Cider you are after the capsaicin in hot peppers. Depending on what type of hot pepper you use they will contain different amounts of capsaicin.

Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties and pain-relieving abilities (17).

Apple Cider Vinegar- If you use raw apple cider vinegar(ACV) it contains what is referred to as ”the mother”. The mother has good bacteria. This is a good source of probiotics. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which is anti-inflammatory, aids in weight loss, improves digestion, and helps lower high blood pressure.

Is fire cider good for acid reflux?

Although there is no scientific data suggesting fire cider or apple cider vinegar can alleviate acid reflux there is a lot of people who swear by it. I know for me personally, I have a history of heartburn in my past, so when I take a shot of Fire Cider I drink a glass of water after and I am fine.

Does fire cider help weight loss?

Fire Cider may help with weight loss. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has been shown in studies to help lower blood sugar and assist in weight loss.

How long does fire cider ferment?

It is recommended you let it sit out for 2-4 weeks. I prefer 4 weeks myself.

Is fire cider safe?

Yes, Fire Cider is safe. Because it is a spicy drink I recommend people start with smaller amounts and see how they do before they consume bigger amounts.

5 Reasons You Should Make Fire Cider

It contains probiotics-because fire cider is fermented for 2-4 weeks it contains probiotics. Probiotics help your immune system ward off bad bacteria and viruses.

Its anti-inflammatory-Ever single ingredient in fire cider has anti-inflammatory properties.

It has antimicrobial properties-The onion, garlic, honey, horseradish and apple cider vinegar in fire cider all have antimicrobial properties.

Supports healthy immune function– every single ingredient in fire cider has either anti bacterial, anti microbial and anti-inflammatory benefits. The pungent spicy ingredients also help open up airways and relieve nasal congestion. It warms the body.

Supports weight-loss– The main ingredient in fire cider is apple cider vinegar. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has been studied and proven to aid in weight loss.

How to use Fire Cider?

You can take 1 tablespoon daily during cold and flu season to help boost your immune system. Some people take more. I recommend starting slowly.

You can use it as a salad dressing.

Put a few spoonfuls in soups or stews.

You can use it in cocktails like a bloody mary or mocktails.

Tips For Making Fire Cider

Use a decent brand of apple cider vinegar, preferably one containing the mother.

Open a window when chopping onions, garlic, and horseradish. These herbs are pungent and can make your eyes water.

Use fresh ingredients.

Make sure your glass container is clean.

Keep Fire Cider out of direct sunlight.

Use a plastic lid on your mason jar because the vinegar can corrode against the metal lid. You can also use a piece of parchment paper in between the lid and top of the jar, this would keep the vinegar from touching the metal lid.

I also like to use fermenting weights to keep the ingredients below the vinegar. Being exposed to air is what can cause them to mold. I have a link to the ones I use below.

Ingredients to make Fire Cider

Horseradish root

Ginger root

Onion

Garlic

Jalepeno

Honey

Apple Cider Vinegar

Supplies Needed

Chefs knife

Peeler

Quart Mason Jars

Plastic lid for mason jars

Fermenting weights

Apple Cider Vinegar

Fire Cider Immune Tonic

This immune boosting herbal tonic can help with congestion from cold and flu. It is a great way to kick start your day and immune system and get digestive juices going.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Equipment

1 Chefs Knife
1 potato peeler
1 cutting board
1 Quart sized Ball glass jar with lid
1 measuring cup

Ingredients

1/2 cup chopped horseradish
1/2 cup fresh chopped and peeled ginger
1 medium white onion (chopped)
2 jalapeno (finely chopped)
1/4 cup local raw honey
1 rosemary sprig (leaves finely chopped)
1 tablespoon powdered turmeric
16 ounces apple cider vinegar with mother

Instructions

Place chopped ingredients at bottom of quart-sized jar and pour apple cider vinegar over top. Add powdered turmeric. Put the lid on and shake. Use a plastic lid. If you don't have one you can use parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal. You can also use a fermenting lid or pickle pipe.
Let sit for 2-4 weeks shaking the jar occasionally. You may need to occasionally burp the jar and release the gases. After the time is up you can strain off the liquid and add honey. Rebottle and enjoy! Fire Cider is shelf-stable but you can also refrigerate.

Final Thoughts

This immune tonic is super easy to make and I can definitely attest to its ability to help with congestion. Have you ever tried fire cider? Let me know in the comments.

Much Love,

Melissa

If you love to make your own herbal medicine check out my post on Elderberry Syrup.

This website is for educational purposes only. The information provided by Renaissance Path is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. Please consult a qualified health care professional for medical advice.