Friday, November 20, 2015

Fire Cider

Fire cider is a home remedy that has been made by herbalists for years to boost the immune system in the face of colds and flus.  There are many different recipes out there, but from the ones I saw, they all look like they will put some hair on your chest.

I wanted to try my hand at making some fire cider this year, and it would give me a good use for the ginseng that Paul dug up on our land.  You can google for different recipes to find one you like, but make sure that you know the plants you are using if you forage for them.

I chose a recipe that had ginseng, horseradish, ginger, garlic, and a dash of cayenne.  You put these ingredients in apple cider vinegar and cure it for a month or so before straining to use.  Sweeten to taste with honey. 

I plan to take some at the first sign of a cold.  It will be ready in early December.  Supposedly you can also do things like mix it with oil to make salad dressings or stir fries. 

A few days after I made the fire cider, I made a sore throat spray using the sage my dad gave me to plant a few years ago, with peppermint, honey and alcohol.  It tastes pretty good!

Readers, do you have any home remedies for cold and flu season?

16 comments:

The Cranky said...

I do have, I'll share it on my blog next week. =)

Harry Flashman said...

No, not really but I wish I did. I use copious quantities of Thera Flu and NyQuil. Doubtless I will die of kidney failure because of it.... I'm sure in the long term it's not good for you.

PioneerPreppy said...

Wow Ginseng. Is that stuff as expensive now as it used to be? I have never been able to find it here although I hear rumors it is around.

I usually use my honey for pre-cold recipes myself.

Sally said...

Horseradish and cayenne? I'd be dead. :)

The throat spray though, I might give that a try. Thanks, Lisa.

Hope you guys have a good weekend.

xoxo

Texan said...

We use Oregano oil and olive leaf. They work great!

Vision By Mila said...

Good to know a recipe and good to have it in the house, let's hope you won't need it though!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Very interesting combination and although I love cayenne and horseradish, together, they should subdue anything!...:)JP

Out on the prairie said...

I tend to moan a lot.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

We love reading about all the different things you try!
Mommy likes apple cider that sits for awhile.
love
tweedles

Monkeywrangler said...

Chinese hot and sour soup is good for stopping a head cold.

Unknown said...

Last month, while in Ohio--believe it or not--I'd venture into the hotel lobby for a mug of hot water and dropped in an Airborne tablet. It warmed me up and perhaps it had a psychological benefit of shooing away germs. I caught a small cold (I'm convinced) from a moron on the plane who coughed with his mouth open. I would bet your Chicken Soup would be the answer, though Lisa. A touch of Lemon to taste!

Becca said...

I don't have any home remedies. I use Zicam, Vitamin C, and Thieves essential oil.

Sharon Wagner said...

That sounds like it would do the trick. Spicy!

Lin said...

Hmmmm...I'm curious to know if this works. I'm good for digging up some NyQuil when the cold hits me.

Annette said...

How cool! I definitely believe in homeopathic remedies; unfortunately, I don't have ones that I make on my own. You are such a cool mom!

An Apel a Day said...

I'll have to try this! I have a cough syrup that I make. I'll have to pin this.