Fire Cider - Winter Wellness Preparations!
Can you believe it's September? ππ Itβs the unofficial start to fall, and I have been busy with my autumn rituals, as I suspect most herbalists and family medicine-makers are too. We are busy preparing our fire cider blends, elderberry syrups, tonics and tinctures, etcβ¦
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Generally I like to start preparing a bit earlier than September; however, in our area temps have exceeded 100 degrees for over two months! It almost makes me forget that fall is nearly here. Those of you in cooler climates are most certainly already knee-deep in winter preparations for the long, dark season, which inevitably is accompanied by cold and flu season.
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It's been a couple of years since I posted about Fire Cider, and many of you have reached out regarding tried-and-true recipes. The internet is full of recipes, but the core ingredients for Fire Cider are garlic, horseradish, onions, jalapenos, ginger and of course apple cider vinegar. As promised here is a recipe to get you started, but first a bit of history. π₯ππΆπ§
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Fire Cider is an herbal remedy used to support the immune system during cold and flu season. It helps stifle the sniffles, invigorates the body and boosts immunity. It's one powerful, warming tonic. Renowned herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar, first introduced this remedy in the kitchen of the California School of Herbal Studies between 1979 and 1980, and this herbal remedy has become tradition in many households, including ours, and has been passed along to herbalists all over the world.
There was even a lawsuit over use of the trademarked name some years ago. Three herbalists sued over using the βgenericβ term Fire Cider, which had become trademarked by a start-up company in Pittsfield, MA. In the fall of 2019 the lawsuit was settled, and the βFire Cider 3β and herbalists around the world were given back the name Fire Cider to freely use.
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Here is a basic recipe and some ingredient variations you may be interested in if you are in the mood for a little DIY remedy. We have our batches steeping and they will be available in limited quantities later this month.
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We also have our easy-to-make πππ π
π’π«π ππ’πππ« ππ’ππ¬ available for those not interested in doing all the chopping and dicing. π
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ππππ’π©π:
π±1/2 cup fresh grated or chopped ginger root
π§1/2 cup fresh grated or chopped horseradish root
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1 medium onion, chopped
π§1/2 cup garlic, crushed or chopped
πΆ2-3 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
π2 lemons
πΆRaw apple cider vinegar
π―1/4 cup of raw local honey, or to taste (do not add until mixture has infused for 3-4 weeks and mixture is strained)
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Variations and additions that can be incorporated: astragalus root, cayenne, rosemary, hibiscus, bilberries, elderberries, oranges, turmeric root, thyme, oregano... the list goes on! Use seasonal herbs if you have them on hand. Almost anything goes with Fire Cider.
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Prepare your roots, fruit and herbs and place them in a 1/2 gallon-sized glass jar.
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Pour the apple cider vinegar in the jar until all of the ingredients are covered and the vinegar reaches near the jar's top.
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Use a piece of parchment paper or wax paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal as it will corrode. Or use a plastic lid if you have one. There are some great leak-proof plastic lids available. π Shake well.
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Store in a dark, cool place for a approximately one month. Remember to shake daily as this helps with the maceration process.
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After approximately one month use cheesecloth or a milk nut bag to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquid as you can from the pulp while straining. Dispose of pulp OR compost the herbs back to the earth!
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Next comes the honey. Add and stir until incorporated.
Taste your cider and add more honey until you reach the desired sweetness.
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Label and refrigerate for a longer shelf life.
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While I know most of us are diligent about taking care of ourselves it doesn't hurt to give the immune system a little boost, and this is one of our favorite tonics to do just that. ππ
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π·: Fire Cider Variations, Elderberry Syrup, Adaptogenic Wellness Tonic, Fire Cider DIY Kit
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π’π«π ππ’πππ«, ππ₯πππ«πππ«π«π² ππ§π ππππ©ππ¨π ππ§π’π ππ¨π§π’π ππ’ππ¬ are available at our market events and online!
Gruene Market Days
Boerne Market Days
Johnson City Market Days
The Weekend at Arbor Park
New Braunfels Farmers Market
Wimberley Market Days