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Fire Cider

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gracoman View Drop Down
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    Posted: 03 January 2019 at 17:08
Fire Cider was first concocted in the kitchen at the California School of Herbal Studies in the early 1980’s by the respected herbalist, teacher, and author Rosemary Gladstar. 

The original formula calls for macerating fresh horseradish, ginger, garlic, onions, and cayenne pepper in apple-cider vinegar for three to four weeks, then finishing with honey.
 
Why these ingredients?  Gladstar breaks down what each ingredient brings to the table:

Apple-cider vinegar is a great digestive aid.

Horseradish is the number-one herb for combating sinus congestion and headaches. It clears your sinuses better than anything; even when you’re just grating it, by the time you’re done, your sinuses are wide open.

Ginger is a warming circulatory herb that’s wonderful for digestion. It also helps fight infection and is good for nausea.

Garlic is the poor man’s penicillin. It has broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and is an excellent aid for fighting infection. It also produces a heat that helps lower cholesterol.

Onions have similar properties to garlic and are also good for colds and flus.

Cayenne pepper is one of the best cardiovascular herbs. It helps your immune system mobilize and moves blood through the system.

Honey is very soothing for inflamed tissues and organs, but its primary purpose is as a harmonizer or buffer. It helps blend all the flavors in fire cider and makes it palatable not just to your taste buds, but to your whole digestive system.

It has since been adapted countless times of which mine, described and pictured below, is one.

Ingredients (all should be organic):

1 Medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
9 garlic cloves, smashed
1 C coarsely grated horseradish root
1 T turmeric, ground
1 tsp black peppercorns
2 whole cloves
1/2 C ginger root, coarsely grated
2 sliced jalapenos
1 sliced habanero
2 lemons, quartered, squeezed into holding jar and added whole
1 orange. quartered, squeeze into holding jar and added whole
4 rosemary sprigs
4 thyme sprigs
Apple cider vinegar with the mother to cover
Raw organic honey or maple syrup to sweeten

Throw it all in a glass jar, cover with vinegar and let infuse in a dark place for 6 weeks to 3 months.  I do six weeks but longer isn't going to hurt it any.  Just make it stronger. 

Shake the jar daily to help macerate.

At the end of infusion time strain out the solids and bottle.  The solids can be used in stir fry's or added to other things that beg spiciness. 

I buy it when not making my own but it is expensive.  The 4oz (weight not fluid oz) bottle Carpenter Botanicals bottle shown below is $20.00 but it is some of the best I've tasted.  I can make a quart for less than that so homemade it is.

I stated buying this stuff to keep around as a remedy for colds and flu but it tastes so fantastic I began using it for anything regular vinegar is used for.  Added to salad dressings it is a revelation.  Especially if you like a bit of spice.  A little goes a long way.

1 T every 4 hrs for colds or flu.
1 T every day for general health and well being.
Feel free to mix with water, tea or whatever floats yer boat.  I drink it straight out of a shot glass.

Bottled this yesterday in a 1.5 liter Fido jar.  Be ready Valentine's Day.







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Margi Cintrano View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Margi Cintrano Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 January 2019 at 04:59


Wow ..   This sounds marvelous ! 

Definitely a flu fighter !!  

Thank you for posting ..  

I am going to definitely make some of this  !!

Happy New Year ..  
Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 January 2019 at 07:55
One thing to keep in mind: Acetums (the technical term for this type of mixture) do not have great shelf lives. The medicinal value passes quite quickly---as opposed to tinctures, which have shelf-lives of at least a year.

So, if you want to give Rosemary's great formula a try, make it in relatively small batches. Best bet with acetums that you'll be using as a regimen is to make enough to last you the length of time it takes to make a new batch; typically 3-4 weeks or so. Then just keep going continually. 

That way, you never run out, and always have a fresh mixture to use. 

When making acetums and tinctures, it's also a good idea to invert the container once or twice a day. This puts fresh menstrum against the products, which helps dissolve the active ingredients. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gracoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 January 2019 at 17:31
All the more reason to make yer own.  I know people who buy some store bought at the beginning of cold and flu season.  Don't know how long they keep it though.  I've read it will keep it 3 -4 months if refrigerated but mine won't last that long.  It's that tasty. 

My batch will render about a quart of snake oil and I guard it with spells.  Witchcraft is a dying art.  >sigh< ..... Big smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 January 2019 at 18:45
Three months is about the outside for acetum effectiveness.  

Odds are the flavor will still be there longer than that, but the medicinal value will be greatly reduced. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gracoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 February 2019 at 19:07
Infusion complete, strained, honey added and bottled.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 February 2019 at 08:19
Looks good, and it is hard to argue with the health benefits ~

If I recall correctly, turmeric and black pepper also have some beneficial properties?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 February 2019 at 09:07
Turmeric is an anti-inflamatory, Ron, particularly useful for treating (and preventing) ailments like bursitis, and other members of the "itis" clan. 

The thing to remember about Fire Cider is that it is a general wellness tonic, used to help prevent and treat flu-season respiratory ailments.  It's used as a preventive regimen---that is, you take some every day---rather than as a treatment. Each of the ingredients makes a contribution to that end.

FWIW, a fairly large percentage of phytomedicine falls in that category. Prevention is always better than treatment.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 February 2019 at 09:19
Agreed ~
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote pitrow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 February 2019 at 10:09
Originally posted by gracoman gracoman wrote:

Infusion complete, strained, honey added and bottled.



Good looking stuff! Reminds me I need to get off my butt and buy the stuff to make this.

Mike
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gracoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 February 2019 at 12:45
Originally posted by HistoricFoodie HistoricFoodie wrote:

........

The thing to remember about Fire Cider is that it is a general wellness tonic, used to help prevent and treat flu-season respiratory ailments.  It's used as a preventive regimen---that is, you take some every day---rather than as a treatment. Each of the ingredients makes a contribution to that end.
And it tastes great!

Today, I gave one bottle each to an employee with a bad cold and a friend with a seemingly never ending bronchitis.  After they got over the initial shock from their virgin taste test, both agreed it was good stuff.  One was already making plans to try it as a marinade. 

A tablespoon each day may keep the doctor away. 
A tablespoon every 4 hrs for colds and flu
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gracoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 February 2019 at 18:12
Re reading my original post I noticed I'd left out the horseradish root in my ingredient list, the stuff that really makes this infusion sing, so I fixed that.

Grating horseradish root is a trip.  Gonna clean out yer sinuses.  Gonna clean them out good!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gracoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 February 2019 at 10:32
A curious update.

One of the people I gave a bottle of fire cider to, bronchitis guy, called me this morning to tell me he's been taking it since I gave it to him.  That was about the same time yesterday morning.  He's gone through half the bottle. He told me he feels better. Much better.  Bronchitis guy did some online research and wants to start making his own.

The other guy, cold guy, didn't take any after his initial taste test so no reliable feed back from him.

I don't know what to make of this.  My best guess would be placebo effect but who knows.  The skeptic in me is strong. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pitrow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 February 2019 at 11:36
Assuming that I can't find actual horseradish root, would this work as a substitute? It's a prepared horseradish sauce, but from what I remember it's mostly just finely ground roots, almost to a paste consistency, but you can still see strands of root in it. I'm sure it has some other crap in it too like preservatives but I think it might be the closest to actual root I could find around here.

https://beavertonfoods.com/product/beaver-extra-hot-horseradish-4-oz/

Maybe I'll stop at the asian market by work one of these days and see if they have root there.

Mike
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gracoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 February 2019 at 12:10
I found it at Whole foods but an Asian mkt would be a good place to look.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HistoricFoodie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 February 2019 at 12:24
In the East almost every supermarket stocks horseradish root. Look for it in the same place they display the ginger and similar "exotic" veggies. 

G-man, I'd guess you are right. But the nice thing about placebos is that if you think you feel better, you do.  The danger, of course, is that that effect only lasts a few days. And then, because it doesn't seem to be working, they quit taking it.  

They secret ingredient in phytomedicine is time.  Unlike conventional medicine, which treats symptoms with magic bullets, herbalists try to work with the underlying causes.  And that just doesn't happen overnight. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gracoman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 February 2019 at 08:40
So bronchitis guy calls me early yesterday afternoon wanting to know where he can buy commercially produced Fire Cider because "he needs it".  He was looking for it in a local health food store when he made the call. I assume all health food stores carry this stuff but I don't know how fresh it is and I have no idea what it would be named.  Early on, a company, not associated with the developer trademarked the name "Fire Cider" so nobody else can use that Angry

Bronchitis guy and I both knew he was wanting another bottle of the stuff I made but I strung him along for a bit to make him nervous.  I'm funny like that Shocked

So, bronchitis guy makes a 30 min drive to meet me for his "fix".  Dude grabs the bottle out of my hand, twists off the cap, and takes a gulp in the parking lot of the gas station/convenience store I was at.  now I know how drug dealers feel Wink 

Bronchitis guy asks me if it makes me feel better.  "No" I said. "But then again, I'm not sick" Confused

I'm guessing the Fire Cider is really helping with his symptoms.  Or he's a hypochondriac LOL  I dunno.  Worst clinical trial ever.  Frankly, I'm surprised at all of this Wacko

Dr gracoman is in da house Big smile


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pitrow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 February 2019 at 10:05
now ya gotta slowly start jacking up the price for him until you're rich! Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 February 2019 at 10:31
Originally posted by gracoman gracoman wrote:

So bronchitis guy calls me early yesterday afternoon wanting to know where he can buy commercially produced Fire Cider because "he needs it".  He was looking for it in a local health food store when he made the call. I assume all health food stores carry this stuff but I don't know how fresh it is and I have no idea what it would be named.  Early on, a company, not associated with the developer trademarked the name "Fire Cider" so nobody else can use that Angry

Bronchitis guy and I both knew he was wanting another bottle of the stuff I made but I strung him along for a bit to make him nervous.  I'm funny like that Shocked

So, bronchitis guy makes a 30 min drive to meet me for his "fix".  Dude grabs the bottle out of my hand, twists off the cap, and takes a gulp in the parking lot of the gas station/convenience store I was at.  now I know how drug dealers feel Wink 

Bronchitis guy asks me if it makes me feel better.  "No" I said. "But then again, I'm not sick" Confused

I'm guessing the Fire Cider is really helping with his symptoms.  Or he's a hypochondriac LOL  I dunno.  Worst clinical trial ever.  Frankly, I'm surprised at all of this Wacko

Dr gracoman is in da house Big smile




This made me laugh...
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