By Barbara Pleasant, December 5, 2019
Last winter, my friend Tom introduced me to homemade fire cider, a traditional folk remedy believed to support the immune system by helping the body fight off viruses and other illness-causing microbes. Fire cider is a blend of ingredients like garlic, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers, all of which are packed with nutrients that support health. To make it more palatable, a touch of honey is added.
Tom handed me a jar of his fire cider and recommended a few ways to use it. He suggested diluting a tablespoon of it in water and swishing it in my mouth before swallowing, similar to an herbal tincture. Another great use is as a salad dressing. After aging in the fridge for several weeks, fire cider becomes a tangy and flavorful addition to salad greens or even tomato juice.
Key Ingredients and Health Benefits
Fire cider is primarily made from ingredients that are known for their beneficial properties:
- Horseradish: The root of the horseradish plant gives fire cider its distinctive spicy kick. It’s also known for its antimicrobial properties and potential to support respiratory health.
- Garlic: A powerful antioxidant, garlic contains allicin, which is thought to help boost the immune system and fight infections.
- Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits, ginger contains zingibain, an enzyme with health-promoting properties.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This is the base liquid in fire cider. Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is rich in B vitamins and has been shown to help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. It’s also a potent probiotic, which supports gut health.
Many fire cider recipes can also include additional herbs like rosemary or berries such as currants, all of which offer their own health benefits.
Fire Cider Recipe
To make your own fire cider at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped or thinly sliced
- 1-2 small hot peppers (like jalapeños), chopped
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- Juice of 1 lemon, plus a few thin slices
- 1/2 cup ginger root, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup horseradish root, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups (480ml) raw apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients (except honey) into a clean glass jar. Shake well.
- Store the jar in a cool, dark place (or the fridge) for at least three weeks, shaking it daily.
- After a month, strain out the solids if you prefer, or leave them in for added flavor.
- Mix in the honey and store the finished fire cider in the fridge for up to six months.
Does Fire Cider Work?
The big question is whether fire cider truly helps prevent illness. I personally found that when I felt a cold coming on last winter—whether it was the slightest sniffle or a sore throat—a few doses of Tom’s fire cider helped keep me healthy. I didn’t get sick, but it’s hard to say if it was the cider, luck, or the placebo effect at work. Nonetheless, fire cider is more than just a tasty dressing. The ingredients have long histories of medicinal use: Hippocrates advocated for apple cider vinegar, ginger has been used to treat colds in China for centuries, and horseradish has antimicrobial properties.
This year, I’m making my own batch using garlic and horseradish from my garden, which is a reminder that the garden can provide nourishment, even in the dead of winter when the snow is deep.
Whether you believe in its healing properties or not, fire cider is a simple, powerful way to support your immune system during the colder months. It’s easy to make, flavorful, and may even help you stay healthy as you navigate flu season.