FIRE CIDER. Sounds spicy!! That's because it is - and it happens to be one of the more potent and beneficial "potions" you can make quite easily at home with ingredients from your herb garden or pantry. Combining the powers of Apple Cider Vinegar, and Garlic, Chilli, Ginger and horseradish, as well as some optional herbs and honey, this cider is an anti-inflammatory and digestive powerhouse.

Fire Cider is really quite easy to make for yourself - hit the link below to watch our recipe video and try it out yourself!

The Benefits of Fire Cider

This health tonic is easy to make at home from ingredients you are likely to have on hand. Spicy and pungent, fire cider is packed with lots of healthy herbs which help support your immune system during cold and flu season. 

Garlic - high in antioxidants, helps reduce the severity of symptoms of the common cold and flu. Garlic also has benefits for heart health as it can reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and lower blood pressure.

Ginger - aids digestion, reduces inflammation, relieves muscle pain. Ginger is high in antioxidants and aids general health. Ginger improves circulation, can reduce LDL cholesterol and is beneficial for the cardiovascular system. Antibacterial it can lower the risk of infections, improve immunity and reduce the symptoms of cold and flu.

Chilli - another antioxidant ingredient, chillies are an excellent source of vitamin C. The spicy chilli clears congestion, stimulates circulation and gives relief from pain. While chilli stimulates digestion and can be helpful for stomach ulcers too much can upset tummies.

Horseradish - Its antibacterial properties help lower the risk of infections including sinus infections, urinary infections and chest infections. Stimulates circulation, eases joint and muscle pain. A powerful antioxidant it helps lower bad cholesterol and improves heart health. Horseradish helps support immunity and reduce the symptoms of the common cold and flu.

Onion - Reduce symptoms of cold and flu. Beneficial for heart health, lowering LDL cholesterol and improving circulation. 

Lemon - packed with vitamin C, and high in antioxidants. Can help reduce the symptoms of cold and flu.

Apple Cider Vinegar - boasting its own health properties such as aiding digestion and being antibacterial vinegar helps bring the ingredients of fire cider together. It pulls all the goodness out of the other ingredients and presents them to you in this potent tonic.

Ingredients:

• 1 1-Liter jar
• 1 head of garlic - slashed
• 1 tbsp granulated dried horseradish (or freshly sliced horseradish)
• 2.5cm piece of fresh ginger root - sliced (or dried ginger root)
• 1 lemon - cut into wedges
• 1 small onion - roughly cut
• 2 red chillies - chopped roughly
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of honey
• Muslin cloth or fine strainer
• 1 jug
• 1 bottle (for storage)
• Optional: thyme, rosemary, sage, and oregano to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Place the garlic, horseradish, ginger, onion, lemon, herbs, and chillies into a large jar. 
2. Pour over the apple cider vinegar, you may use a bit more or less than 2 cups depending on the size of your jar. 
3. Let the mixture steep in vinegar for 4 weeks by storing it in a cool & dark place, like your kitchen cabinet or pantry. 
4. After 4 weeks, strain the vinegar from mixture using a piece of muslin cloth or a fine strainer. Discard the solid ingredients. 
5. Add the honey to the vinegar, then stir. 
6. Store in a sealable bottle in your refrigerator for up to 1 year. 

Other Flavourful Herbs To Add In:

You can purchase these additional Fire Cider herbs directly from our nursery.

Sage - Effective anti-inflammatory properties for mouth and throat, specifically tonsillitis and coughs. Great for memory and clarity. It is also beneficial for the digestive system.

Thyme - High in antioxidants and effective against fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Beneficial for the respiratory system giving relief to coughs, colds, tonsillitis and bronchitis. 

Oregano - Supports the immune system, high in antioxidants, helps kill an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut and candida. Relieves cold and flu symptoms including sore throats and excess mucus in lungs and airways. Also used to aid digestion.

Rosemary - Boosts the memory and clears the mind, high in antioxidants.  Stimulates digestion and aids liver detoxification. Supports the immune system and improves circulation

How To Use Your Fire Cider