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02 Fire Cider | Immune Boosting Tonic And The Gift Rosemary Gladstar Gave To The World

All-natural remedies to get help through the cold and flu season – Photo by Nate Solberg – Scout Collective, Rocky Hill CT

Today I’m talking about a vinegar tonic that boosts the immune system.

It has roots in a centuries-old recipe and was updated and modernized in the 20th Century and given a new name.

Since then, it's been adapted many times and is now a staple recipe in any budding herbalists recipe book. Its called, Fire Cider

By the end of this show, you’ll learn about the history of how infused vinegars got started and why they are so popular today. I’ll even share my own recipe so you can make a batch for yourself and family.

My disclaimer so we are clear…

I’m not a doctor, and if you have questions about your health, please consult a licensed medical professional. The information discussed in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only.

Victims from the Black Plague 1665 England – CC Google Images (click here to view picture)
Victims from the Black Plague 1665 England CC Google Images (click here to view picture)
Fleas on rats were the carriers of the Black Plague. Fleas would infest homes and bit humans spreading the plague. CC Google Images (click here to view picture)
Rosemary Gladstar's latest book – (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Base ingredients for fire cider – (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Using fresh ingredients – this is horseradish pulled from our garden. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
I don't peel vegetables – I just do a rough chop to fit in the jar. Make sure you use organic apple cider vinegar! (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Turkey Tail Mushrooms harvested from our woods. They are great for boosting your immune system. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Echinacea Roots and Flowers, plus dried Rosemary from our greenhouse. All help to boost the immune system. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Fill gallon jar with organic apple cider vinegar and slide a knife down edges to get the bubbles out. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Lable jar with start and end date. The first week check the jar and shake for any bubbles. Add more vinegar if vegetables have absorbed the vinegar. Then check and shake every week for 6 weeks. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
In 6 weeks strain the contents of the jar. Throw away the contents. (click here to view photo) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Add raw honey before jarring or add later. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan

Brenda’s Fire Cider Recipe

Download Recipe Here

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh chopped organic ginger root

1/2 cup fresh chopped organic horseradish root

3 medium organic onion, chopped

10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped

2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped

2 sliced lemons and or oranges (organic)

Several sprigs of fresh organic rosemary or 2 tbsp of dried rosemary leaves

1 tbsp organic turmeric powder or 2 fresh roots chopped

1/4 tsp organic cayenne powder

1 – 3 –  32 oz bottles of organic apple cider vinegar – the amount needed will depend on the volume of material stacked in jar.  (Re Brand: I use “Braggs” but there are other unfiltered organic apple cider brands out there.)

¼ cup Raw local honey to taste (add after the 6 weeks of fermenting is done)

*  See list of herbal variations that I’ve added to my recipe. These are not necessary, but the * indicates the ingredients that I’ve used in the past.

Directions

Chop and slice all of your roots, fruits, and herbs and place them in a large jar. (I use a gallon jar with a lid – bought on Amazon.)  Fill jar with the apple cider vinegar until everything is covered.  You may have squish material down to cover with vinegar. 

Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid will work. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place for 6 weeks and remember to shake daily.

After 6 weeks, use cheesecloth to strain out the raw fermented ingredients. Discard the vegetables and pour the fermented vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidly goodness as you can from the vegetables while straining.

Next…comes the honey. Add 1/4 cup of honey (or more if still too strong) and stir until incorporated.  Store at room temperature in dark cupboard or refrigerator.

Herbal Ingredient Variations

These organic herbs and spices would make a wonderful addition to your Fire Cider creations. You can find them all and more in our shop!

  • Thyme
  • Horseradish Root Powder
  • Rose Hips*
  • Star Anise
  • Schisandra Berries
  • Astragalus
  • Parsley
  • Burdock root*
  • Oregano, Peppercorns*
  • Beet Root Powder
  • Habanero Powder
  • Echinacea root (fresh or dried) *
  • Echinacea flowers (can use contents of 3 tea bags) *
  • Whole Chili Peppers*
  • Orange slices*
  • Grapefruit,
  • Lime slices*
  • Ghost peppers*
  • Cinnamon Sticks*
  • Dried Turkey Tail Mushrooms*

Drinking Instructions:

Shot of Fire Cider – (click here to view picture) Photo by Brenda J. Sullivan

1 – 3 shot glasses per day when you feel cold or flu symptoms coming on. Repeat until symptoms go away.

Please remember, I am not a doctor, if you continue to feel bad or get worse – go see a licensed medical professional. This recipe is for educational purposes only and not meant to treat or diagnose anyone.

Recipe Ingredient Herbal Actions List

General Herbal Actions Document Download(please note this list is not a complete list)

Primary Source Links

Primary Source Links For The Health Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar

WebMD Apple Cider Vinegar: https://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar-and-your-health#1

Harvard Health Publishing| Harvard Medical School: Apple Cider Vinegar Diet: Does It Really Work?: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/apple-cider-vinegar-diet-does-it-really-work-2018042513703

Wikipedia Four Thieves Vinegar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_thieves_vinegar

Recommended Books

Fire Cider! 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar:

https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Cider-Recipes-Health-Boosting-Remedies/dp/1635861802/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WJPDD65I7N17&keywords=fire+cider+by+rosemary+gladstar&qid=1573928477&sprefix=Firecider%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1

Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginners Guide 33 Healing Herbs to know, Grow and Use:

https://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-Gladstars-Medicinal-Herbs-Beginners/dp/1612120059/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14EDM8WNCL6OA&keywords=medicinal+herbs+a+beginner+s+guide+by+rosemary+gladstar&qid=1573928560&sprefix=Medicinal+Herbs+a%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1

Websites

Rosemary Gladstar Website: https://sagemountain.com/

Fire Cider 3 Website: https://freefirecider.com/

A Special Thank You To Gene Tullio!

The music used in this show is used with permission and is created and produced by Gene Tullio.

Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information about his music, please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com

Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018

Social Media Links

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Living and Lovin Herbs Website: https://livingandlovinherbs.com/
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Brenda J. Sullivan Books: https://brendajsullivanbooks.com/