Homemade Traditional Fire Cider Recipe & Benefits (2024)

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Make this delicious and easy home remedy that helps ward off the cold and flu. With the flavor combinations of garlic, ginger, onion, and chilis, plus the sweetness of apple cider vinegar and honey, it's a warming herbal remedy with a pleasantly sweet and spicy flavor.

Homemade Traditional Fire Cider Recipe & Benefits (1)

Fire cider is a long-held old fashioned remedy that is used to boost the immune system and to help aid the upper respiratory system.

Disclaimer: I’m not a certified medical professional, this is not for
diagnosis or treatment, and you should always consult the medical professional of
your choice before using herbs medicinally.

Why I Love Fire Cider

My favorite thing about fire cider (and many other herbal remedies) is that you can make it at home yourself, using ingredients you grew in your garden, or that you bought at the grocery store.

I always say medicine should start with the food we eat. This recipe is the perfect example of that! This fire cider is truly a powerhouse of a natural remedy.

This post includes an older Pioneering Today Podcast I did with Rosemary Gladstar (episode #177) where we discussed the many health benefits of fire cider. I have since updated it with a YouTube tutorial walking through exactly how to make this powerful remedy.

Rosemary Gladstar is a pioneer in the herbalist community and has paved the way for many to follow in her footsteps of modern herbalism. She's internationally renowned for her technical knowledge and stewardship in the global herbalist community, has been learning, teaching and writing about herbs for over 40 years and is the author of eleven books.You can learn more about Rosemary on her website The Science & Art of Herbalism.

Her book, Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide to Herbal Remedies was the first book that I ever got back in the day when I started researching and learning more about herbs and using them in our home.

Origins of Fire Cider

Rosemary shared in this podcast that when she lived on the Russian River in northern California, it was really cold and damp. People got lots of colds, bronchial problems, and circulation issues. So they decided to make this formula with something that was warm and decongesting to help with some of these issues, and the result was what we now call fire cider.

It's both a tonic and medicine. It's very effective for warming the body, mobilizing the immune system, and even just giving you a shot of energy.

It's made with hot, fiery ingredients, but it’s also pretty tasty because of the honey and apple cider vinegar, which is what many people loved about it. That and the fact that it is really simple to make and the ingredients were really common and easy to source.

So fire cider quickly became very popular and sort of developed a life of its own.

Homemade Traditional Fire Cider Recipe & Benefits (2)

Fire Cider Benefits

Fire cider is an old-timey natural remedy to help boost the immune system but it really helps aid the sinuses when you come down with the sniffles and are congested. There are many variations of this recipe, most notably made popular by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, and the beauty of it is you can make it your own based on what you have on hand.

Who Is Traditional Fire Cider For?

Rosemary shares in the podcast episode that sometimes fire cider is really helpful for people who have heartburn, but it also can agitate heartburn because of the spicy ingredients. It really depends on what the cause of your heartburn is.

Also, for someone with a hot constitution who just has a lot of heat in their body, like a really red tone, or maybe someone who’s prone to anger that sometimes core cooling remedies are better than the fire cider.

We always have to find those things that work best for us. But I do find it particularly good for people who live in a cold, damp region or have reoccurring bronchial issues.

This recipe also seems to be really helpful for people who get severe muscle cramps in their legs. And it’s also good for energy.

The garlic, ginger, and horseradish are all warming, stimulating decongesting herbs and all of those herbs really energize the body. But again, you need to try different things and see what works best for you because everybody is a bit different.

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Ingredients

There is no one fire cider recipe, as I mentioned above, you can mix and match ingredients based on what you have available to you and your own taste preferences. The base of it is usually onion, horseradish root, garlic, ginger root, hot pepper, and apple cider vinegar, with other herbs and roots tossed in based on preference and availability.

You can also add ingredients like turmeric, echinacea, cinnamon, rosemary, and other herbs if you like. So like I said, it really is customizable.

Try mixing fire cider with homemade elderberry syrup so you get have half and half and get the benefits of both herbal remedies at once.

You can even add it to homemade bone broth to get a double whammy of health benefits, so to speak. There are so many different variations on this recipe. It's very adaptive to individuals and families.

I will be listing the medicinal properties of each ingredient below…

Onion

  • High in Vitamin C
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-cholesterol
  • Anti-cancer
  • Antioxidant properties [1]

Garlic

“Allicin is an organosulfur compound found in garlic (Allium sativum), a food with known cardiovascular, and anticancer benefits. Allicin is released when garlic is chopped or chewed but is inactivated by cooking. It has demonstrated antiviral properties in vitro against rhinovirus and several other strains.” [2]

When participants of this study took 180mg of allicin daily they reported 64% fewer colds and symptom durations were reduced by 70%.

Horseradish

  • Aids in improving the immune system and alleviating respiratory conditions.
  • The German Commission E has approved horseradish for respiratory infections.
  • Precautions- should not be used in pregnancy/nursing or those with thyroid issues. [3]

Ginger Root

  • Anti-inflammatory and warming properties that stimulate the circulatory system.
  • Ginger root also has anti-viral properties for the flu (influenza) and cold viruses. [4]
  • Use with caution if on blood thinning medications or you have a blood clotting disorder.

Hot Peppers

We’re after the capsaicin found in jalapenos and cayenne pepper to name a few.

  • Capsaicin improves the circulatory system but it also has anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, as well as vitamin C. [6]
  • Use caution with using capsaicin containing peppers consult a medical professional before us if pregnant, nursing, and if you have blood clotting disorders or are on blood thinning medications, if you’re on blood pressure medications, stomach acid medication, and/or theophylline.
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Fire Cider Recipe

  1. Making fire cider is one of the easiest herbal remedies there is. Take a clean quart-sized Mason jar and place all of your chopped ingredients inside.
  2. Pour apple cider vinegar over the contents until completely submerged (you can get added benefits by using your own homemade apple cider vinegar, too!).
  3. Use a weight if needed to keep the contents under the vinegar, then place an airtight lid on and shake.
  4. Place in a cool dark location if possible, or keep it somewhere in your kitchen where you'll remember to shake it daily.
  5. Allow it to steep for 2 to 4 weeks then strain out the solids.
  6. Stir in ¼ cup raw honey, if using.

How to Take Fire Cider

Take fire cider as needed. Some people will use a shot (1.5 ounces or slightly less than ¼ cup) once a day during cold or flu season while others take it several times a day when they feel symptoms coming on.

If taking fire cider as a shot is too flavorful for your pallet, you can also dilute the shot into an 8-ounce glass of water.

Tips & Tricks

  • Feel free to swap out ingredients, omit ingredients, and change up amounts to make this your own.
  • Remember to do your due diligence on researching each herb or item for any precautions or interactions when using it medicinally.
  • Dilute the fire cider in water if it's too potent to take straight.
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How to Get Started Using Herbs for Medicine

During my podcast interview with Rosemary, I asked her if she had any advice for those just getting started with using herbal remedies. Here was her response:

Start by learning a few simple herbs and try not to overwhelm yourself. I wrote a book calledMedicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide to Herbal Remedieswhich is a simple introduction, but it gives a very deep grounding.

I also have a home study course that has been offered since the early 1980s. This is a great stepping stone for people. It's a basic but very deep introduction. If you can find a local class, that’s also great.

And the other way to get started is just to get 10 simple herbs (like in Melissa's book, Hand Made) and start there. They can be the herbs in your kitchen cabinet or the herbs you're growing in your herb garden. Do a little research on the medicinal properties of those herbs and then build your knowledge from there.

Plant some yarrow, some basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, and do some research as you grow them. Get to know them through your senses and through intellectual study.

Homemade Traditional Fire Cider Recipe & Benefits (6)

Other Herbal Posts You May Like

  • Best Method for Drying Herbs (For Stronger Medicinal Properties)
  • Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow From Seed
  • Herbal Home Remedies for Cold and Flu
  • Herbal Medicinal Tea (How to Make Your Own)
  • Echinacea Tincture Recipe
  • 5 Tips to Harvest Herbal Flowers for Medicinal Purposes
  • 7 Natural Cough and Cold Herbal Remedies
  • How to Use Herbs and Natural Remedies At Home

Did you make this recipe? If so, I'd love for you to leave a star rating on the recipe card below, then snap a photo and tag me on social media (@melissaknorris) so I can see!

Homemade Traditional Fire Cider Recipe & Benefits (7)

Traditional Fire Cider Recipe

Melissa Norris

Make this delicious and easy home remedy that helps ward off the cold and flu. With the flavor combinations of garlic, ginger, onion, and chilis, plus the sweetness of apple cider vinegar and honey, it's a warming herbal remedy with a pleasantly sweet and spicy flavor.

4.41 from 74 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 14 days d

Total Time 14 days d 15 minutes mins

Servings 32 ounces

Calories 11 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1/2 root horseradish diced
  • 1/2 root ginger root diced
  • 1/4 cup garlic diced or crushed
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon rosemary or thyme, fresh (optional)
  • 2 jalapenos diced (optional)
  • 2 cups raw apple cider vinegar or enough to cover ingredients/fill the jar
  • 1/4 cup raw honey or to taste (optional)

Instructions

  • Take a clean, quart-sized Mason jar and place all of your chopped ingredients inside.

  • Pour apple cider vinegar over the contents until completely submerged (you can get added benefits by using your own homemade apple cider vinegar, too!).

  • Use a weight, if needed, to keep the contents under the vinegar, then place an airtight lid on the jar and shake.

  • Place in a cool dark location to steep for two to four weeks. Shake daily.

  • Strain out solids, then stir in 1/4 cup honey to the liquid.

  • Take as suggested in the notes section below.

Notes

  • Take fire cider as needed. A typical serving is 1.5 ounces (one shot) up to three times daily.
  • If your fire cider is too spicy, you can increase the amount of honey added at the end.
  • You can also dilute the fire cider into 8 ounces of water.
  • Nutrition facts are impossible to calculate due to the fact most of the ingredients get strained out. The above calculations include the apple cider vinegar and honey only.
  • Feel free to swap out ingredients, omit ingredients, and change up amounts to make this your own.
  • Remember to do your due diligence on researching each herb or item for any precautions or interactions when using it medicinally.

Nutrition

Calories: 11kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Fire Cider, Herbal Remedy

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Studies/Sources

  • [1] onions https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4935244/
  • [2] garlic https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3024156/
  • Pioneering Today Academy
  • [3] horseradish with thyroid https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono257/horseradish
  • [4] ginger root anti-inflammatory
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5483044/
  • [5] ginger anti-viral https://www.realnatural.org/ginger-antiviral/
  • [6] capsaicin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4643145/

Category: Herbal Remedies, Natural Medicine CabinetTag: Fire Cider, Herbal Remedy

Homemade Traditional Fire Cider Recipe & Benefits (8)

About Melissa Norris

Melissa K. Norris inspires people’s faith and pioneer roots with her books, podcast, and blog. Melissa lives with her husband and two children in their own little house in the big woods in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains. When she’s not wrangling chickens and cattle, you can find her stuffing Mason jars with homegrown food and playing with flour and sugar in the kitchen.

Homemade Traditional Fire Cider Recipe & Benefits (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of homemade fire cider? ›

Fire cider is a remedy that people turn to for help with immune strength and digestion. The ingredients include horseradish, turmeric, and vinegar, which all have strong roots as herbal remedies. However, there's not much research to support their use. Fire cider has minimal side effects.

How many times a day should you take fire cider? ›

Fire Cider Dosage

Take a shot of fire cider or 1-2 tablespoons daily for a potent punch of immune system support and increase that dosage to 3 times a day to use it as a natural remedy to help fight off common cold symptoms.

How long does homemade fire cider stay good? ›

It can be stored either at room temperature (just make sure it's in a cool, dark place away from the sun) or in the refrigerator. Fire cider should last about 6 months at room temperature and up to 1 year in the fridge. Before each use, give the fire cider a good shake.

Is fire cider a natural antibiotic? ›

None of the ingredients in fire cider have been proven to prevent or cure illness, so don't count on it to give your body any kind of true immunity boost.

Does fire cider help with inflammation? ›

Fire Cider also supports digestion and is anti-inflammatory. You can buy Fire Cider already made, but it's easy and fun to make yourself. Ingredients: Garlic - anti-microbial, immune modulating.

Should fire cider be refrigerated? ›

The Herbal Academy's fire cider recipe uses fresh herbs, so we recommend refrigerating the final preparation and using it within 6 months. If you are using dried herbs, your fire cider can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 year. However, if you have the space, refrigeration will keep it fresher for longer.

Does fire cider ever go bad? ›

It can be stored either at room temperature (just make sure it's in a cool, dark place away from the sun) or in the refrigerator. Fire cider should last about 6 months at room temperature and up to 1 year in the fridge. Before each use, give the fire cider a good shake.

Does fire cider help with mucus? ›

With potent ingredients, Fire Cider helps move mucus in both the upper and lower respiratory tract. It can also be used as a gargle to soothe a sore throat. Fire Cider can be mixed with hot water for a morning or afternoon pick-me-up.

Why did fire cider go out of business? ›

Two years ago, the co-op discontinued Fire Cider made by Shire City Herbals because of the legal action they had taken against community herbalists for using a traditional remedy and term.

Why did my fire cider turn green? ›

Bluish/green garlic can sometimes happen when making fire cider. The color change is caused by a reaction between enzymes and sulfur-containing amino acids in the garlic (the same enzymes are responsible for garlic's flavor) along with the acid (in this case vinegar).

How do you store homemade fire cider? ›

If bits of herbs and spices float to the top, gently shake the jar each day to redistribute them. Once it's ready, strain the aromatics from it. If you want to add honey, stir it in now. Bottle the finished fire cider and store at room temperature; it will keep indefinitely.

Where should I store my fire cider? ›

Fire Cider will keep for several months unrefrigerated if stored in a cool pantry. But it's better to store in the refrigerator if you have room.

What does fire cider treat? ›

People may use fire cider as a natural remedy against the flu and common colds. Additionally, people may consider fire cider to help relieve nasal congestion, support digestion, warm the body during cold seasons, and boost immunity.

Does fire cider help with parasites? ›

It is an amazing spice that supports our body in handling various infections and illnesses. It can be used preventatively for colds, flu, fever, respiratory infections, ear infections, parasites, food poisoning, candida, urinary tract infections and is a general tonic for a weak immune system.

What is the strongest natural antibiotic? ›

Seven best natural antibiotics
  1. Garlic. Cultures across the world have long recognized garlic for its preventive and curative powers. ...
  2. Honey. Since ancient times, people have used honey due to its wound-healing activity and antimicrobial properties. ...
  3. Ginger. ...
  4. Echinacea. ...
  5. Goldenseal. ...
  6. Clove. ...
  7. Oregano.
Nov 14, 2023

Is homemade cider good for you? ›

The polyphenols in the cider provide health benefits. While cider might not have the same concentration of polyphenols that whole apples have, these antioxidants can help to improve your health and lower your odds of certain conditions such as inflammation and cancer.

Is homemade hard cider good for you? ›

Did you know hard cider has many health benefits? According to Cider Craft Magazine there are three health benefits that come from drinking hard cider; antioxidants, vitamin C, and sans gluten. Apples are known to be a type of “superfood” containing many vital vitamins and antioxidants.

Is home brew cider good for you? ›

Homemade ciders, especially those that are wild-fermented, often have lower alcohol levels. Phytochemicals. These are a group of chemicals found in plants that benefit our health, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and phenolic acid.

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