Immune Boosting Fire Cider Recipe for Colds and Flu

Fire Cider

Prepare this fall and winter season before things get too cold by making a batch of Fire Cider a.k.a. Master Tonic or Flu Shots. Fire Cider, an all natural cold and flu folk remedy, has been a tradition passed down through the ages of time. This fiery concoction is an immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, warming, decongestant, and helps with circulation & digestion. Its flavor is potent, hot, spicy, pungent, sour and sweet all mixed together.

There are many ways to make this recipe, but most agree upon the basic ingredients of ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, and chile peppers or cayenne powder. These ingredeients are infused with apple cider vinegar, which is strained and mixed with honey. Rosemary Gladstar, a well known herbalist, coined the term Fire Cider over 35 years ago and published her recipe in her book, Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs on page 74. My recipe is adapted from Rosemary Gladstar's version with some added extras of my own. I would encourage you to experiment and make your own according to your own tastes and available ingredients. I have included my recipe below with a few variations and other optional ingredients. The outcomes range from super spicy to something that gently warms. It is fun to play with the mixture of the ingredients and see what subtleties you can taste from the differences.

My Fire Cider Ingredients

Ingredients (* = an optional ingredient I used in mine)

• ½ cup ginger root, pealed and grated or pealed and diced (great for stomach problems, digestion, blood circulation, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis)
• ½ cup horseradish root, pealed and grated or pealed and diced (great for a number of things including digestion, blood circulation, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, tonsillitis, sinus infections and bronchitis. anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-septic, stimulant)
• 1 medium onion, pealed and diced (great for a number of things including blood circulation, upper respiratory tract infections, cough. anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant)
• 10 cloves of garlic, pealed and minced or pealed and diced (great for a number of things including coughs, colds, sore throats, blood circulation, viral infections, and bacterial infections. anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-viral)
• 2 chile peppers like jalapeño, cayenne or habanero peppers, chopped or ¼ tsp ground cayenne or pinch of dried chillies (vitamin C-rich, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator for healthy blood flow)
• *1 lemon, juiced and zested and/or quartered and thinly sliced crosswise (vitamin C-rich, aids digestion, and anti-oxidant)
• *rosemary, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (great for a number of things including digestion, cough, stimulating immune system, increases blood flow. anti-inflammatory)
• *1 tbsp turmeric or ¼ cup fresh grated or pealed and diced turmeric (great for a number of things including stomach problems, digestion, cough, and bronchitis, colds. anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, adaptogen - lessens stress and helps boost immunity)
• *cinnamon, to taste or a couple of cinnamon sticks (great for a number of things including coughs, colds, sore throats, viral infections and bacterial infections. anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial)
• raw unfiltered unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (at least 5% acidity) (great for a number of things including digestion, sore throats, colds, flu, infections. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, energy booster, pro-biotic)
• raw local honey, to taste (to be added after a month when herb infused vinegar is ready to be strained to complete the Fire Cider) (great for a number of things including sore throats, colds, coughs, infections. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, pro-biotic)

More Optional Additions

• cardamom, to taste (helps relieve digestive problems induced by garlic and onion)
• garam masala, to taste (usually a blend of turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, mace spice, cinnamon, peppercorns, cumin, cardamom)
• curry, to taste (usually a blend of coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, and chili powder or cayenne) (great for a number of things including stomach problems, digestion, cough, and bronchitis, colds. anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, adaptogen - lessens stress and helps boost immunity)
• cloves, powder to taste or tsp buds (great for a number of things including digestion, blood circulation, coughs, stress. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immune booster and stimulant)
• nutmeg or mace spice powder to taste (great for a number of things including digestion, sleep, blood flow. anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-depressant, immune booster)
• thyme, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (great for a number of things including sore throats, coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, chest congestion, and bacterial infections. anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial)
• basil, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory)
• oregano, several fresh sprigs or 2 tbsp dried (anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, nutrient dense)
• prunella a.k.a. all heal or self heal, 1 tbsp freshly chopped or dried leaves (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic)
• hibiscus flowers, 1 tsp dried (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• rose hips, small handful (great for chest ailments, coughs, colds. vitamin C-rich)
• elderberries (Sambucus nigra), small handful (great for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. anti-bacterial, anti-viral, vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• hawthorn berries, small handful (great for digestion, cardiovascular, circulatory, and respiratory, blood flow. vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• pomegranate seeds/arils, juiced (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• sun-dried tomatoes, small handful diced (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• other smallish citrus fruits, juiced and zested and/or quartered and thinly sliced crosswise (vitamin C-rich, anti-oxidant)
• ½-1 tsp black peppercorns (digestive stimulant and expectorant)
• other immune system boosting ingredients you want to add

Equipment

• cutting board
• sharp knife/peeler/grater
• canning funnel
• 1 quart size jar
• parchment or wax paper
• cheesecloth or a large ricer (something to strain it after a month or so)

The ingredients before and after Apple Cider Vinegar.

Directions
After preparing; layer and pack all roots, herbs, spices, vegetables and fruit into a clean 1-quart jar. Pour the apple cider vinegar over the contents, making sure they are covered with it. Tap the side gently to make sure the air bubbles rise to the surface and pop. Place a square of parchment or wax paper under the lid so that it doesn't acidify the metal and cause corrosion or use a plastic lid that fits. Tighten lid onto the jar. Shake well. Compost all peals and scraps.

Compost the lovely scraps.

Let the jar sit and steep for a month or longer in a cool dark place, shaking daily. After the month is up strain and decant the vinegar into a clean jar. Add honey to taste. Refrigerate and use within a year.

Serving Suggestions
Take 1-2 tbsp at the first sign of cold and repeat the dose every 3-4 hours until symptoms subside. If you love spicy hot flavors you could even have a whole shot glass full to ward off the nasties.You can also take it throughout the cold and flu season to prevent symptoms from occurring at all.

Make something out of the ingredients you strained out (if you used cinnamon sticks you can grate them as well. waste not want not!):

• spicy egg/spring rolls
• a spicy veggie pancake
• a spicy pizza
• sautée with meats, tempeh, or tofu for a stir fry, soup, or ingredients for a sandwich or wrap
• mince and add to a chip dip, marinade or condiment
• make up your own

Use the Fire Cider herb infused vinegar to:

• baste or marinate meats, tempeh, or tofu
• drizzle over salads as a dressing
• drizzle over steamed veggies or sautéed greens
• mix it with a condiment like honey mustard to give it an extra kick
• add in soups or chilis
• mix with lemonade or orange juice
• mix with hot water and extra honey to make a warming tea
• anything you think would be yummy

If you have made your own Fire Cider/Master Tonic/Flu Shot recipe please share it in the comments below!

Other References
February 2nd, is World Fire Cider Day!
Free Fire Cider
Tradition Not Trademark
Petition to sign
Rosemary Gladstar has a book out now: Fire Cider!: 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar
Herbal Roots Zine: Kids Can Make Fire Cider Too!: has a free printable label, card, and 14 page fire cider e-book
Kiva's Gila Harvest Cider: a variation for sensitive stomachs

Rosemary Gladstar making her version of Fire Cider...

You can find Rosemary Gladstar's version along with so many of her other awesome herbal recipes in her book Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs...

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: The medical information provided on this blog is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a opinion. Even if a statement made about the natural remedy is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. I am only suggesting that you should try it for yourself and see if helps you. People are all different and outcomes could vary drastically. I am not selling my Fire Cider, I am simply making my recipe available for free to all those who read this post and want to make it themselves.

Welmedix SunBurnt and FirstDegree Sunburn and Burn Remedies for Summer Review

I received these products for free to facilitate this review.

The summer season means lots of family fun with: BBQ’s, fireworks, going to the beach, vacations, outdoor sports, outdoor activities and more time at home with family and friends. With all of the festivities, little ouches also come with the territory, such as cuts, scrapes, sunburns and the common household burn. We all should know that we need to wear sunscreen before going outside, especially in the hot summer days. Sometimes though we forget or the day doesn't go as planned. If you've ever gotten a bad sunburn you know that it doesn't feel very good. It hurts and you really need something to sooth the skin and make it feel better.

Welmedix has made two homeopathic products: SunBurnt after sun gel and FirstDegree burn cream that are great for sunburns and minor burns. These products are great for use this summer and throughout the year. These are essential for families to have in their first aid kits at home and on the go. I am so glad to have them in my first aid kit so that I can treat my family's minor burns that can occur and make sure my family is well taken care of. I certainly like to be prepared.

SunBurnt is an after sun gel that is great first aid for sun burns. It temporarily relieves symptoms of mild to moderate sunburn. Great for burning, redness, stinging, rawness, itching, dryness left after a sunburn. It helps reduce skin peeling, soothes and hydrates skin and cools overheated skin. It has Aloe, Calendula, Echinacea and other ingredients to help burns, sunburns, skin itching, burning, and dryness. It goes on as a clear gel and is Lidocaine free.

FirstDegree is a burn cream that is great first aid for minor burns. It aids in the healing of minor epidermal burns and temporarily relieves associated symptoms like: rawness, itching, minor infection. It has Aloe, Calendula, Echinacea and other ingredients to help wound healing, reduce the appearance of scars, soothes pain, cools the burn and/or scald, and antiseptic to prevent infection. Great for burns from stovetop/oven, grill, curling iron, clothing iron, tools/auto. It goes on as a cream and has Shea Butter in it to make it creamier. A portion of the proceeds from buying this product go to providing care to victims of critical burns.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received product for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Boiron Homeopathic Medicine Review

At the beginning of last year I was introduced to a company that makes homeopathic medicine called Boiron by one of my favorite magazines, KIWI. I have mentioned KIWI before. I am a member of their Parent Advisory Board and a subscriber of their wonderful magazine. Anyway, I was invited by email to a free Winter Health Webinar hosted by KIWI and Boiron‏ on the natural approaches to treating cold and flu for the whole family. I received a Boiron Wellness Kit with Children's Oscillococcinum, Children's Coldcalm Pellets, Children's Chestal honey cough syrup in it to try free because I attended. I learned a lot about this awesome company and their products when I attended the Webinar. I was also approached by KIWI and their Moms Meet mom's group division to become a Green Mom Ambassador for them and sample some more Boiron children's products with my moms play group I have here in my neighborhood.

Let me just say that Boiron and their products are awesome! They really work for my family. I really hadn't ever got a chance to try them out myself until recently though because I had only gotten the children's products previously. Thankfully though I saw a promotion that I was accepted to on Tomoson for a Boiron Cough, Cold & Flu Value Pack which has basically the same homeopathic medicine that I got to try out for my kids except in adult strength.

"Homeopathic medicines are therapeutically active micro-doses of mineral, botanical and biological substances. Used to treat many acute health conditions, these medicines are safe, natural, and have no side effects."

The Oscillococcinum is for flu-like symptoms. So it is great for if you're feeling run down, having headaches, body aches, chills, and fever.

The Coldcalm is for cold symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, sinus & nasal congestion and minor sore throat. I tried the Coldcalm for my sinus stuff and it helped it go away.

The Chestal is for dry coughs, chest congestion, and other coughs. It has a great honey flavor that is so much better tasting than any other cough medicine I have tried and really works! I tried it when I got an awful lung infection recently and it helped a lot!

Fan/Like Boiron on Facebook. Follow Boiron on Twitter. Sign up for their e-newsletter.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

The information provided on this blog post is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional (for instance, a qualified doctor/physician, nurse, pharmacist/chemist, and so on). I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a opinion. Even if a statement made about the medicine is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms. I am only suggesting that you should try it for yourself and see if helps you. People are all different and outcomes could vary drastically.

Keeping My Family Healthy During Cold & Flu Season

Yes, it is cold and flu season and H1N1 influenza (Swine flu) is going around. I know you have heard a lot lately about taking precautions and avoiding people who are sick. Here are ways my family tries to stay healthy during this time...

Contain and Get Rid of the Germs: Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth which can spread any virus you may have picked up on your hands to your body. Cover your coughing and sneezing. Cough into your sleeve (the bend of your elbow) or a tissue/Boogie Wipe not your hands. Don't stifle a cough and don't sniff the mucous back into your lungs. Sneezing, blowing your nose, and coughing are a must when trying to expel germs from the body. Have good hygiene and brush your teeth/tongue/gums regularly.

Try to stay away from others who are sick and if you get sick try to stay home. Disinfect your house. We use chlorine bleach, ultra-violet light, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, or vinegar to disinfect things in our home. Let some fresh air in and don't over heat your house. Overheating and not ventilating properly will only make the air in your home stagnant, stale and dry. Lack of humidity causes our nose and tonsils to dry out so they cannot trap germs efficiently. When this happens it becomes difficult to sneeze and cough. Turning down the thermostat and turning on a room humidifier keeps virus-laden mucus flowing out of your body. As gross as it is you need to get it out of your system.

Be Good to Yourself: Get plenty of rest. Remember the old saying: Early to bed, Early to rise, Makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise. There is a lot of truth to that saying. Eat healthy and don't skip breakfast. Avoid refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup and caffeine. Take vitamins and supplements (We take extra vitamin C when it is cold and flu season). Get plenty of fluids. Green tea, water, herbal teas and soups can help tremendously. Orange juice is also great because of the vitamin C. Avoid alcohol and tobacco products (I don't drink alcoholic beverages or smoke anyway). Your immune system needs a boost to help your body not become ill. Exercise and managing stress is also very important.

Here is one of my favorite soup recipes:

Cheesy Chicken Chowder
Servings 6

1 package bacon, diced, cooked, drained
6 medium red potatoes, washed, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
1 large carrot, grated
1 medium onion, minced
4 large chicken breasts, cooked, diced
2 cans cream of chicken soup, condensed
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
1 stalk broccoli flowerets
2 cups cheese, shredded
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme leaver
2 cups sour cream
1 1/2 cups milk

In a large sauce pan cook the bacon and remove when crisp. Save a couple of teaspoons of fat in the pan and add the potatoes , onions, celery, and carrots. Cook until the veggies are tender (about 20 minutes). When the veggies are tender add the broccoli, corn, chicken, spices, soup and milk. Stir until all is smooth and warm then add the sour cream and cheese and stir on low heat until cheese is melted.

Use Natural or Homeopathic Remedies/Medicines: Have you ever tried homeopathic medicines? Homeopathy is a therapeutic method used to help the body re-balance and heal itself using natural substances in micro-doses. My family uses homeopathic and natural remedies/medicine and vitamins and minerals to help us stay well or get over illness sooner. We have successfully used Emergen-C, Airborne, Cold Eeze, colloidal silver, Boogie Wipes, saline nose drops, extra vitamin C, zinc lozenges, and tea.

I haven't tried them yet, but I just learned about 3 new homeopathic medicine for kids that are made by Boiron, the world leader in homeopathy, through One2One Network: Children's Oscillococcinum®, Children's Coldcalm Pellets®, Children's Chestal®.

In case you want to try them out yourself HERE is a link to a $1 off coupon for Boiron's new children's products.