FIRE CIDER TONIC

With the winter colds flying around, this Fire Cider Tonic is a natural herbal folk remedy that is known to help ward off colds and flu, ease congestion, digestion stimulating, and promote health and wellness. I start by cleaning a large glass ball jar with a rubber gasket. You can use the aluminum lids, just be sure to place a piece of parchment paper around the top, so you don’t get an unwanted reaction. To make this tonic more kid friendly, omit the spicy peppers and cut back a bit on the garlic.

Cheers to feeding the soul!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh ginger (from two 4-inch pieces)

• 1/2 cup peeled, diced fresh horseradish (from a 5-inch piece)

• 1 head garlic, cloves smashed and peeled

• 3 sprigs rosemary

• Handful of parsley

• Habanero peppers cut lengthwise

• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

• 1/2 small onion, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (1/3 cup)

• 1 lemon, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

• 1/2 orange, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

• cups raw, unfiltered apple-cider vinegar, such as Bragg, plus more as needed

• 3 TBSP of Turmeric

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup honey, preferably raw and unfiltered 

DIRECTIONS

Place ginger and horseradish in the bottom of a 1-quart Ball jar or similar sealable glass container. Add garlic, rosemary, chilies, peppercorns, and onion; then add lemon and orange pieces, pressing down to firmly pack ingredients in. Add vinegar, adding more as necessary to fully submerge ingredients and fill jar. Seal jar Store in a cool, dark place, shaking for a few seconds every day or two, at least 3 weeks and up to 6 weeks.


 After 3 weeks, strain through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve; discard solids. Store Tonic in a sealed container in refrigerator up to 1 month.