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Hot, pungent and sour, fire cider is certainly not for the faint of heart. But this fiery concoction has been hailed for generations as a safe and effective remedy for the common cold and the flu. It has been used to treat coughs, relieve a stuffy nose, improve digestion, increase blood circulation and boost immunity.

Fire cider can be sipped on its own, mixed with other health drinks or used in cooking.

How to make immune-boosting fire cider

As a folk remedy, there are countless variations of fire cider. Common fire cider recipes typically include ginger, garlic, onion, horseradish and chili peppers. These ingredients are infused in apple cider vinegar and then sweetened with honey.

Follow this recipe to make a gallon’s worth of fire cider:

Ingredients:

• 30–35 garlic cloves
• 3–5 fresh chili peppers
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
• 5 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup diced horseradish root
• 1/2 cup sliced ginger
• 1/2 cup raw organic honey
• 4 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

Preparation:

1. Add the diced onion to a large jar.
2. Peel the garlic cloves. Smash them with the side of a knife and add them to the jar.
3. Add the diced horseradish root, ginger slices, chilis, peppercorns, thyme and lemon slices to the jar.
4. Stir in the honey and apple cider vinegar.
5. Put the lid on the jar. If your jar has a metal lid, cover the mouth of the jar with a layer of parchment paper or plastic wrap before screwing on the lid. This helps prevent the vinegar from corroding the metal lid.
6. Let the mixture sit someplace cool for 3–4 weeks. The longer it sits, the more mellow and potent it becomes.
7. Shake the jar once or twice a day during the first week.
8. After 3–4 weeks, strain the fire cider into another jar with a strainer or cheesecloth. It should keep for about a year when refrigerated.

To use, take one shot (about two ounces) of the fire cider three to four times a day as soon as you feel a cold coming on. You may want to take the fire cider as well if you have family members, coworkers or friends showing cold or flu symptoms.

Other remedies for the cold and flu

Aside from fire cider, here are some other effective home remedies for the cold and flu:

• Chicken soup – The heat from chicken soup helps clear a clogged nose by thinning out mucus. The protein in the chicken also helps your body fight the infection.
• Ginger – Drinking hot ginger tea can help soothe a sore throat and ease nausea, two symptoms that typically accompany the common cold and the flu.
• Garlic – Garlic contains a potent compound called allicin, which has antimicrobial properties. Some studies have shown that garlic can also reduce the severity and duration of a cold or flu.
• Echinacea – Native Americans used the flowers and roots of the echinacea plant to treat infections. The plant likely gets its immune-boosting effects from flavonoids and other potent compounds.
• Citrus fruits – Vitamin C plays a key role in boosting immunity. You can get loads of vitamin C from citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes and grapefruits.
• Yogurt – Yogurt contains live, beneficial microorganisms called probiotics. They help keep your gut and immune system healthy. In fact, studies indicate that probiotics may lower your risk of getting sick with an upper respiratory infection.

Fire cider is a safe, natural and effective remedy for the common cold and the flu. Take it three or four times a day as soon as you feel anything coming on. If you’re already sick, you can take fire cider along with other natural remedies for the cold and flu, such as chicken soup, herbal teas, citrus fruits and a hot bath.

Sources:

BackToOurRoots.net

Healthline.com