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

Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We'd love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.

Living and Lovin Herbs Website: https://livingandlovinherbs.com/
Instagram: @livingandlovinherbspodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingandlovinherbspodcast/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Twitter: @Livingandlovin6

Brenda J. Sullivan Books: https://brendajsullivanbooks.com/

01 Souling | What The Druids The Church And The Dearly Departed Have In Common

Pencho Georgiev All Souls' Day.jpg – Wikimedia Commons (click here to view picture)

Welcome to my first podcast of the year. This has been a very long process trying to learn many different software programs and so, ready or not, here we are! I'm excited to finally launch!

The show is not perfect, and I'm aware of my mistakes. Please know that I'm a one-woman show and there are many moving parts to produce a show like this, and things got missed. I will continue to edit the blog as I get comfortable with the software programs. We are a work in progress!

About The Show

The goal of the show is to share my love of herbs combined with my love of the outdoors. I'll be introducing an herb(s) and/or traditions related to them and share ways you can incorporate them into your life.

Whether it's using it for health/culinary purposes, growing medicinal plants in your garden, using them in bath and body products or creating a chemical-free home. These are topics for future shows.

I'll do some storytelling about the history or tradition that's related to herbs because who doesn't love a good story! In addition, I'll recommend books and resources that might be helpful to you so you can do more in-depth research on your own.

My goal is to demystify herbs, their uses and make it easy for you to incorporate them into your daily life.

Today's Show:

Today's show is a solo show and since Halloween is almost here I'll be doing a deep dive into an ancient tradition called “Souling” and what the druids, the church and the dearly departed have in common.

I'll also share a recipe (link below) for a traditional cake that is made for this occasion called “Soul Cakes”. These cakes are filled with herbs, nuts and/or dried fruits. However, my recipe has been updated and is gluten-free and dairy-free.

I'll discuss the meaning of the tradition and how it evolved over the centuries.

So click on the show bar below and settle in with a nice cup of spiced herbal tea. And scroll through the pictures following the story of this ancient tradition called “Souling”.

An Arch Druid in His Judicial Habit.jpg – Wikimedia Commons (click here to view picture)
The Wicker Man of the Druids.jpg – Wikimedia Commons (click here to view picture)
Gaius Iulius Caesar (Vatican Museum).jpg Wikimedia Commons (click here to view picture)
Map from “A History of Rome to the death of Cæsar” Google images (click here to view picture)
Pope Boniface-VIII.jpg – Wikimedia Commons (click here to view picture)
Pope Gregory III Illustration.jpg – Wikimedia Commons (click here to view picture)

A Song For Your Soul

“Soul! Soul! For an apple or two! If you have no apples, pears will do. If you have no pears, money will do. If you have no money, God bless you! ”

1981 copyright “A Witches Brew” by Adelma Grenier Simmons| Caprilands Herb Farm, Coventry Connecticut. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
1981 copyright ” A Witches Brew” by Adelma Grenier Simmons| Caprilands Herb Farm, Coventry Connecticut pg 94. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
1981 copyright “A Witches Brew” by Adelma Grenier Simmons| Caprilands Herb Farm, Coventry Connecticut pg 95. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Traditional Soul cakes for Samhain! (5159453650).jpg – Wikimedia (click here to view picture)
Brenda's Gluten-free dairy-free Soul Cake Recipe below. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free “Soul Cake” made with Thompson Street Farm Pumpkin Pie Tea, nuts, and dried fruits. Recipe below. (click here to view picture) photo by Brenda J. Sullivan

LLH Soul Cake: Gluten Free Dairy Free Recipe

Download Recipe

1 cup hot strong pumpkin pie tea

¼ cup – dried cranberries coarsely chopped

¼ cup – chopped walnuts

¼ cup – grated orange peel

1 cup  – brown sugar

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cardamom

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 large egg – slightly beaten

1/2 cup non-diary milk (I used Almond milk – also note I did not mention this in the podcast. After I recorded it I make the cakes again and adjusted the recipe.)

4 tablespoons vegan butter substitute melted ( I use earth balance)

Dry Ingredients:

2 ½ cups gluten-free flour (I used gluten cake flour in this recipe – but not necessary)

3 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Make tea and let steep for 5 minutes – then strain into 1 cup and pour into a mixing bowl.

Add cranberries, walnuts grated orange peel, brown sugar, nut, and salt to a bowl and let soap for 25 – 30 minutes.

Add egg and melted butter substitute – mix well in the tea mixture.

Add gluten-free flour and baking powder and mix together.

Fill greased muffin tins ¾ full with dough and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 – 22 minutes.

Serve warm with butter or butter substitute.

Links / Books Mentioned:

Britannia TV Series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britannia_(TV_series)

Encyclopedia Britannia Definition of a Druid: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Druid

Catholic.org All Saints Day, Pope Boniface IV and Pope Gregory III: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=6210

Catholic Liturgical Year| Soul Cakes III: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/recipes/view.cfm?id=1378

Soul Cake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_cake

Soul Cakes Shropshire Recipe: https://theordinarycook.co.uk/2011/11/02/soul-cake-a-shropshire-recipe/

Gather Victoria Blog: https://gathervictoria.com/2017/10/19/soul-cakes-for-an-old-fashioned-all-hallows-eve-2/

Amazon Book Link: “A Witches Brew” by Adelma Grenier Simmons: https://www.amazon.com/Witchs-Brew-Adelma-Grenier-Simmons/dp/B0011TNFS8/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=caprilands&qid=1572285765&sr=8-5

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

Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe or if you celebrate/honor the Catholic Day of Remembrance, “All Souls Day”, how do you honor your loved ones?

Living and Lovin Herbs Website: https://livingandlovinherbs.com/
Instagram: @livingandlovinherbspodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingandlovinherbspodcast/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Twitter: @Livingandlovin6

Hello and Welcome!

I'm Brenda J. Sullivan and I'm the host of Living and Lovin Herbs Podcast! If you want to learn how to incorporate more herbs into your life this podcast is for you!

 

I'll be doing some interviews with experts on various topics related to herbs. In addition, do a little deep dive on a particular herb, and discuss why you might want to incorporate a particular herb into your diet.

I'll discuss fun ways to use an herb in your kitchen, whether it's baking, grilling or making a nice beverage.

I'll also talk about gardening techniques if you want to try growing an herb or two!

So stay tuned! I'll be posting episodes soon. They are currently in production.

This show is a Thompson Street Farm LLC production.