Fire Cider 101

In the depths of winter, when the cold seeps into the bones, herbalists turn to the fire. Fire Cider is a legendary folk remedy—an oxymel (vinegar and honey) infused with the most pungent, warming, and immune-stimulating ingredients in the kitchen. It is spicy, sour, sweet, and undeniably powerful.

The History of Thieves

While Fire Cider was modernized by Rosemary Gladstar in the 1970s, it traces its lineage back to medieval "Vinegars of the Four Thieves"—concoctions used by grave robbers to protect themselves from the plague. It represents the essence of folk medicine: using accessible, cheap, food-grade ingredients to create potent medicine for the masses.

The Master Recipe

There is no single "correct" recipe, but the core pillars are non-negotiable. You pack a jar with these chopped ingredients and cover them with raw Apple Cider Vinegar:

• The Heat: Horseradish and Ginger (for circulation and sinus clearing), Jalapeño or Habanero peppers (to induce sweating and break fevers).
• The Antibiotics: Onion and Garlic (the sulfur compounds fight infection).
• The Citrus: Lemons and Oranges (extracting Vitamin C and bioflavonoids from the pith).
• The Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme, and Turmeric (anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial).

The Process

Let the jar sit in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily to infuse your intentions into the brew. Then, strain out the solids and add raw Honey to taste. The result is a shelf-stable tonic that can be taken by the spoonful to ward off colds, or used as a zesty dressing on salads.