Fire Cider

by Rosemary Gladstar, The Science and Art of Herbology

Fire Cider is a must in every kitchen.  This is a warming, decongesting tonic and/or medicine that can be taken daily to aid digestion, warm the system and clear the sinuses.  It can also be taken in concentrated dosages for sore throats, colds and flu.  Delicious on salads too.

It is especially effective taken in the fall and throughout the winter season.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Horseradish; freshly grated
1/8 cup Garlic; chopped
1/2 cup Onion; chopped
1/4 cup Ginger; freshly grated
Cayenne to taste
Honey to taste
Apple cider vinegar (raw, unpasturized); enough to cover all ingredients by an inch or two

Grate and chop ingredients.  Place in glass jar and just cover all ingredients with vinegar. Tighen lid, and let sit 4 weeks (if using a metalic lid, but a barrier of wax paper or plastic wrap between mixture and lid, to eliminate reactions with the metal and vinegar).

Strain.  Sweeten to taste with honey. 

Take 1 tsp. every half hour or as often as needed.

Some of the traditional benefits of Fire Cider's ingredients include:

• Horseradish: The antibacterial properties of Horseradish have been used to fight bacteria. Horseradish strongly stimulates the digestion, increasing gastric secretions and appetite. It's also a good diuretic that promotes perspiration, making it useful in fevers, colds, and flu. Horseradish is also an expectorant and mildly antibiotic, and can be of use in both respiratory and urinary tract infections.
  
  
• Ginger: is valued for its ability to warm the stomach, to ease vomiting & nausea and to fight off colds, chills and coughs. Ginger is useful for all types of congestion in the body.
  
  
• Garlic: supports the immune function and opens the pores of the skin to lower a fever. This herb's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties make it useful in treating bladder and kidney infections , yeast infections , strep throats and ear infections.
  
  
• Cayenne: is useful for increasing circulation and to get mucous flowing. This herb is an anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant. It is used as a digestive aid to stimulates gastric juices. Many people report relief from migraines with this herb as well.
  
  
• Onion: Onions have a variety of medicinal effects. They have been used since ancient times to teat colds, coughs, and asthma, bacterial infections, breathing problems, and to repel insects.
  
  
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Since 400BC, Hippocrates,   the father of modern medicine, and others, have used vinegar and vinegar mixed with honey, as an energizing t onic and healing elixir.  It has been known to assist the lymph system move impurities out of the body, boost immune functioning and bowel tone,  clear up skin issues, and assist in weight loss.
  
  
• Honey: Honey has been known for its healing properties for thousands of years.  It is a natural remedy for sore throats, indigestion and skin care.  It is an effective antibacterial with immune boosting properties.