What is Fire Cider?

History and Evolution of Fire Cider

Oxymel, Four Thieves Vinegar, and Fire Cider are all variations of a base vinegar tincture that has been with us for over 2500 years. “Oxymel” comes from the ancient Greek word oxymeli, which means acid and honey. In 400 BC, Hippocrates, the Greek physician often known as the “father of modern medicine”, prescribed oxymels, a mixture of honey and vinegar, to relieve symptoms of disease and support the body during stress or times of illness, to clear the respiratory tract and put the “Humours in balance”.
Hippocrates’ basic honey and vinegar recipe that continued to evolve and by medieval times, more herbs had been added, resulting in Four Thieves Vinegar. There are numerous versions of this recipe and the tales behind it ... the story goes that a band of thieves survived the bubonic plague in the 15th century by using this specially brewed elixir!
Fast forward to 1980! Although similar recipes of vinegar tincture had been used for centuries, the name Fire Cider can be credited to Rosemary Gladstar, a well-known herbalist and educator. Gladstar coined the term back in the late 1970’s because of the pungent plants in the recipe. By sharing her recipe, Gladstar hoped to bring medicinal herbalism back into people’s kitchens and maintain the tradition of freely sharing recipes. Since the start of “Fire Cider”, Herbalists began creating their own formulas based on Gladstar’s original recipe, and Fire Cider began popping up in farmers markets and herbal apothecaries all over the country!

It is also important to note that although the “Fire Cider” name and recipe gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1980s. The practice of healing tonics and herbs also has its history in the cultural traditions and methods of Indigenous peoples, who are often left out of the conversation.

SIMPLe Fire Cider Recipe 

makes ½ gallon

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup grated horseradish root 

  • 1/2 cup or more chopped onions 

  • 1/4 cup or more chopped garlic 

  • 1/4 cup or more grated ginger 

  • Chopped fresh or dried cayenne pepper “to taste.” This can be whole or powdered. “To taste” means it should be hot, but not so hot that you can’t tolerate it. Better to make it a little milder than too hot; you can always add more pepper later if necessary. 

  • Raw honey 

  • Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar 

  • Optional ingredients: turmeric, echinacea, cinnamon, lemon, orange, dried hot chiles, sage, rosemary, thyme, etc... 

Directions 

  1. Place herbs in a half-gallon canning jar and add enough raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to cover the herbs by at least three to four inches. Cover tightly with a tight-fitting lid. 

  2. Place the jar in a warm location and let it infuse for three to four weeks. It is best to shake every day to help with the maceration process. 

  3. After three to four weeks, strain out the herbs and reserve the liquid. The strained herbs can be used to make chutney (see recipe below). 

  4. Add honey “to taste.” Your Fire Cider should taste hot, spicy, and sweet. “A little bit of honey helps the medicine go down...” 

  5. Rebottle the liquid and enjoy! Fire Cider will keep for several months unrefrigerated if stored in a cool pantry. But it’s better to store in the refrigerator if you have room. A small shot glass daily serves as an excellent tonic. Or, take teaspoons if you feel a cold coming on. Take it more frequently if necessary to help your immune system do battle.

Benefits of Fire Cider

Fire Cider, as mentioned, is an oxymel, an herbal preparation made of vinegar and raw honey. Vinegar helps extract the medicinal minerals in plants (as alcohol does in tinctures), and both the vinegar and honey help preserve the preparation. Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a tonic for its wide range of health benefits, including its antimicrobial qualities, minerals, beneficial bacteria, live enzymes, and B vitamins. The horseradish, ginger, garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper help ward off infections, cold, flu, and bronchial congestion. From there, anyone who is making their own recipe can add any other beneficial ingredients from citrus, to a variety of healing herbs!

Lynn Grows