I am not a doctor, a medical professional nor am I certified in herbal medicine,
but I do know this remedy has worked.

Dan came down with a cold, and it reminded me that I wanted to try making a natural cold and flu remedy called “fire cider”.  It helps knock down all those cold and flu symptoms and seems to shorten the life of the illness. If you are on medications or you have a health condition, you will want to research these ingredients. While fire cider is a natural herbal tonic, it can effect medications and health conditions that might already be present.

How to Make Fire Cider Video

If you would rather watch the video of this natural cold and flu remedy recipe, click the play button below.

Here is the recipe first!  If you want to know more about how the ingredients work in this natural cold and flu remedy, read below the recipe card.

Fire Cider Recipe

Fire Cider - Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

Take a tablespoon or shot glass of this at the first sign of a cold. Then repeat 3-4 times per day.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Processing Time 14 days d

Total Time 14 days d 15 minutes mins

Equipment

• 1 quart mason jar with lid

Ingredients

  

• 2 inch piece of ginger root
• 2 inch piece of horseradish root (or 2 heaping Tablespoons of ground horseradish)
• 1 medium onion
• 2 hot peppers (any kind)
• ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
• 5 cloves fresh garlic
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary
• 2 cups raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup raw honey

Instructions

 

• Rough chop ginger, horseradish, onion and hot peppers. Add to quart mason jar.
• Crush and chop fresh garlic and rosemary. Add to jar.
• Add cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar to jar.
• Cover jar, shake and let sit in cool, dark location for 2-4 weeks, shaking the jar once each day.
• Strain out solids and add honey.
• Mix well and store in cool, dark location for up to one year.

Notes

If your tonic is too potent or too strong, you can dilute it in water and that will help it go down easier.

Keyword fire cider recipe, natural cold and flu remedy

Ingredient Health Benefits

Any ingredients in fire cider can be swapped out or replaced, whether it is because you can’t have it or just because you don’t like it, and anything can be added as well.

Ginger Root

Ginger root is great for any kind of cold or flu symptoms.  It has anti-viral properties and is an anti-inflammatory. It is also a warming ingredient, meaning it stimulates your circulatory system. You will want to be careful with this if you’re on blood thinners, because adding ginger to your tonic can further thin the blood.

Horseradish Root

Horseradish root improves your immune system. It also alleviates respiratory illnesses and it has even been approved as a respiratory medicine in Germany. We harvested our own horseradish last fall, processed it and put it in the freezer. We didn’t want to can it, because canning it would have destroyed some of its great properties.

Onion

Onion is high in vitamin C, and an anti-inflammatory like ginger. It can be used as an antioxidant and is effective in lowering cholesterol, as well as lowering your risk of certain cancers. It’s a great, versatile ingredient in any kind of tonic.

Hot Peppers & Ground Cayenne Pepper

Hot peppers and ground cayenne pepper contain an organic compound called capsaicin, which is another warming ingredient that can improve your circulation. These also have anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, as well as a healthy dose of vitamin C. Spicy things are also known for clearing out sinuses! We had jalapeno peppers left from our garden that we just bagged up and put in the freezer, so we decided to use those.

Garlic

Garlic has an organic compound called allicin in it, which is released when you chop or crush the garlic. Other than its incredible taste, this food is known for its anti-viral properties, cardiovascular benefits, and lowering your risk of certain cancers.

Rosemary

Rosemary adds flavor as well as supports the immune and cardiovascular systems. Crushing and chopping releases all the goodness.

Raw, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is used to steep our fire cider. You will need about two cups of vinegar.  I did not fill the jar all the way to the top so that I could add a glass fermenting weight. This helps to keep the ingredients submerged, but is not necessary.

Raw Honey

The benefits of raw honey are many. It is an antibacterial and antifungal. Honey has antioxidants and can also help with digestive issues. It can even heal wounds!

Other Ingredients That Can Be Added

Of course, the ingredients we added to our fire cider aren’t the only things you can add! Some other things that can be added to your own natural cold and flu remedy are citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. Leave the peel on for added vitamin C.  How about adding a cinnamon stick? Cinnamon has antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, plus cardiovascular benefits!

General Instructions for Use

The ingredients are steeped in the vinegar for 2-4 weeks, shaking the jar once per day. Then you can simply strain it and add the raw honey to provide numerous added benefits as well as to help the flavor.

Fire cider is usually sealed up and left in a dark, cool cupboard. You can take a shot of it every day for daily benefits or 3-4 times a day when you are sick. If your tonic is too potent or too strong, you can dilute it in water and that will help it go down easier.

Stay happy and healthy this cold and flu season!