You know I have several recipes that I fall back on when it comes to the cold and flu. As you may have realized over my recent posts, Elderberry is my favorite and I clearly can’t keep my mouth closed about it. However, I remember my father taking gin, lemon and honey and the first sign of the sniffles. I, too, would come to rely on this concoction much of last year’s cold and flu season. As an apothecarist, we learn about the many herbs that can provide comfort and support during the cold season. One of the many concoctions is Fire Cider. Yesterday while attending a class, an herbalist made a version of Fire Cider. I had to sit on my hands because the recipe was not adequate to combat the flu in it’s entirety. I hate knowing the answers to the test when no one else knows. I sat quietly as I was a guest to the class and not a teacher, but I knew that I would shout a great starting recipe somewhere so you, my organic sistas will be my test kitchen.
Fire Cider has been used for years by the master herbalist and for many who really do not like modern medicine. As many convert to organic lifestyles recipes such as elderberry, hot toddy and fire cider is making a come back. After all, these were effective and we didn’t need a clinical trial to be convinced that these would work. So today I want to give you a recipe that I think will help you this cold and flu season. You be the judge.
Here’s what you will need:
2 cups Apple-Cider Vinegar (with mother) I like Braggs Brand
5 slices of Ginger (fresh)
5 cloves garlic
1/2 Onion
1/2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Horseradish
1/4 cup Honey (manuka if possible or tupelo)
Lemon
2 drops of Oregano (oil of oregano is better)
2 springs of rosemary (why, because it rosemary makes everything better)
1 tsp of Tumeric
You can make a masterbatch these so the recipe can be tailored to your liking. Take 1 part of the ingredients below and add them to 2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar. You want to make sure that you cover all the herbs. Store the mixture in a glass jar. Shake the bottle twice a day for two weeks. Take 1 tsp of day. This recipe is also great for migraines. (Who Knew?)
