Why Fire Cider is the Perfect Immune Booster for Winter Wellness

With winter's chill comes the need for immune support. Instead of reaching for over-the-counter solutions, try fire cider—a natural, immune-boosting remedy you can easily make at home with just a few powerful ingredients!

Winter is known for snow. fuzzy socks, hot chocolate…and also known most for being the time of year when everyone seems to have the sniffles.This is related to many things occurring together during the winter like less frequent exercise, lower levels of vitamin D, eating more sweet treats, and even decreased hydration. But what if I told you that there is something you can make at home that will help boost your immunity all winter long and all you need is a few ingredients and a jar? 

It won’t solve all of your winter troubles, but keep reading below to learn more about Fire Cider and even see instructions for making your own jar at home!

 

What is Fire Cider?

Fire Cider is a traditional medicine tonic that contains many pungent roots and herbs that all have immune boosting, anti-viral properties. It can be traced back to the ancient Greeks who used a similar cider during the winter called Oxymeli and Indigenous cultures around the world each of which have their own recipes for the tonic based on what herbs and roots are available in their region. Fire Cider is the name most commonly used in the Appalachian holistic health realm where this concoction is used to stave off colds. While the ingredients and names may change, the principle is the same - using the medicine that grows around you to boost your immunity all winter long! 

In today’s terms, we can revisit the herbal traditions of past generations and indigenous cultures to tap into our immune system and stay healthy all year long. By fermenting a list of roots, veggies, herbs, and spices in apple cider vinegar you can create a pungent immune tonic that can be stored in your fridge through the season!

fire cider for winter wellness

Key Ingredients of Fire Cider

  • Apple Cider Vinegar: a powerhouse probiotic that helps balance your natural flora and has been proven to lower blood sugar.  

  • Garlic and onions: antioxidant rich superfoods packed with vitamin B and C to fight inflammation and encourage healthy nervous system function.

  • Ginger: a known anti-inflammatory that also has antibacterial properties.

  • Horseradish: contains compounds that are anti-microbial and has shown to have a positive impact on respiratory health. 

  • Turmeric: a top-tier anti-inflammatory that has also shown a positive impact on balancing blood sugar levels. 

  • Honey: historically used as an antiseptic for wound care because of its antibacterial properties. 

  • Lemon: have a high level of vitamin C and citric acid which both encourage a healthy immune system and clearance of toxins. 

  • Cinnamon: cinnamon has shown to be an antiviral in many studies. 

  • Black Pepper: has shown to increase white blood cells to boost your immunity and to be an expectorant which can help prevent and relieve mucus build up.

  • Rosemary: has been used as an antimicrobial for centuries and shows positive impact on mood and mental health.

What Makes Fire Cider Perfect for Winter Health?

Fire Cider is the perfect addition to your winter wellness routine because it can relieve the inflammation brought on by stress during the holidays, support digestion, and replaces vitamins that are depleted during the winter. During the colder months, we have a tendency to do the opposite of what our bodies need. We get less exercise and sunlight because we stay inside more often which depletes our vitamin D stores that help us fight microbes. We eat more sweet treats and heavy meals throughout the holiday season which (even though delightful!) creates inflammation in the body which requires your body to use more energy to fight. We even drink less water during the winter which depletes our oxygen levels and allows oxidative stress to occur. 

All of the ingredients in Fire Cider have properties that help keep your vitamin levels balanced, burn through microbes you might encounter, and even boost your mood! This is what makes it the perfect addition to your winter wellness routine.

fire cider for winter wellness
 

Easy Fire Cider Recipe

You will need a large jar with a tight lid, a piece of parchment paper, and the below ingredients. 

  • ⅓ cup sliced ginger

  • ⅓ cup sliced horseradish

  • ⅓ cup sliced turmeric

  • ⅓ cup sliced garlic cloves

  • ½ cup peeled onion

  • 2 lemons sliced of quartered

  • 2 sprigs of rosemary

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 1 tsp black peppercorns 

  • ¼ cup honey

  • Apple cider vinegar

Add all ingredients to the jar and fill up with apple cider vinegar to the top of the jar. Place parchment paper over the top and cover tightly with the lid. Leave on the counter for 2 weeks and shake daily. Strain the veggies out of the liquid and store the strained liquid in a bottle or jar in the fridge for up to 4 months. 

Drink a spoonful every morning for the best benefits! 

If you are looking for more tips and tricks to boost your immunity this winter, check out this article!

 

-Dr. Savannah

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