Fire Cider Season

It's that time of year again! Cold & flu season are in full swing, so I've been busy making fire cider to keep sickness at bay. If you've been with The Wildcraft Chronicles since the beginning, you'll remember we posted a recipe just last year. I decided to revise the ingredients just a bit, hence the reason for this blog post. I originally found this wonderful concoction in Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health; although her recipe is quite potent, I like to add a bit more kick to mine. You can always adjust the spiciness according to your liking. As for my taste, the spicier, the better.

If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, well then, you're in for a treat! Fire cider is a wonderful way to start the day. This special concoction is quite similar to pickled vegetables in brine. The only difference is that the brine is the most important part. Taking a few tablespoons of the spice infused vinegar protects your immune system and warms up your entire body--great for those cold mornings when it's hard to get out of bed! In addition, it's incredibly beneficial for those of us with bad blood circulation (like diabetics). Last year was the first time I made fire cider, and I can honestly say that it improved my overall health and even prevented me from catching any serious illnesses, like I usually do.

I found that fire cider also makes for a wonderful gift as well.  Nothing like ensuring your loved ones stay healthy this year!

Fire Cider
ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped into wedges
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tbsp grated horseradish
1 pepper (I used an Anaheim pepper, mildly spicy)
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp turmeric
1 sprig of rosemary
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 chunks of dried ginseng root
Honey to taste
Apple cider vinegar with mother 

preparation:
 1. Place all of the herbal ingredients into a jar. Pour enough apple cider vinegar to cover herbs, leaving an inch of "breathing space". Seal jar tightly, shake, and place in a cool, dark place for 30 days. Remember to shake your jar once a day.

2. After 30 days, separate the vinegar from the herbs and spices. You can either toss the herbs/spices or keep them refrigerated in a separate jar (I like to add them to salads or just eat them plain. The onions are especially delicious!). Take a teaspoon or two every morning for best results.

Fire Cider to Spark Your Soul

Hello! Indigo here. After a few months of studying and learning more about the ways of herbal health, I feel ready to contribute some love to this blog. Today I bring you a special recipe that will fire up your insides for the cold months to come. Behold the beautiful Fire Cider!

I first came across Fire Cider last year when I began my studies of herbalism. It is said to give a warm and jolting jumpstart to your day when a spoonful is taken in the cold mornings of winter. At the first sign of a cold, three spoonfuls of this spicy concoction will scare the pesky bacteria away! The great thing about Fire Cider is that it is quite simple to make and you may already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen and/or garden.

Fire Cider:

- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh grated ginger root

- 1/2 cup fresh grated horseradish root

- 10 cloves of garlic, chopped

- 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped

- Zest and juice from 1 lemon

- 1 tbsp turmeric powder

- Black peppercorns

- Organic apple cider vinegar with Mother

- Honey (local is best to keep away allergies!)

- Quart-sized mason jar

- Wax/parchment paper

1. Add all of the chopped veggies, herbs, and juices to your mason jar. 

2. Pour in the apple cider vinegar until all of the ingredients are covered with an inch or so of the liquid. 
3. Place a piece of wax paper/parchment paper on the top and seal the lid. (Metal + Acidity = Bad bad)
4. Let sit in a cool, dark place for one month.
5. Take out the fire cider and strain all of the pulp from the liquid. Do what you will with all those herbs & veggies. (Might I suggest adding to salads, stir-frys, or eating straight up for the bold?)
6. Add 1/4 cup of honey to the liquid and mix. Add as much honey until it tastes to your desires. Voila!

And that's how you make Fire Cider. Really spicy food is extremely good for your immune system, so keep this up your sleeve to keep away those annoying winter sniffles. I made some last weekend to have ready by Samhain and am quite excited to try it. Hope you all find this useful and blessed be!