For many years, in fact, since 1997, I've made at least one version every fall -- it's always a success and always delicious. I learned how to make
this infamous Fire Cider tonic on Sage Mountain, in a life-changing apprenticeship class with Rosemary Gladstar. This wonderful immune-boosting
tonic, is one of many which Rosemary has taught her students over many decades. I hope you'll try it. I'll share a link to the original recipe here
and want to tell you about the latest version I made, yesterday under a glorious full moon.. It's going to be a delicious, effective medicine!

Every month is my HerbGals membership group, we do a deep dive into a an herb --we've been going strong for 40+ herbs at this point and
have built a huge 'herbal vault' where all of our members can review and make herbal remedies to their heart's content -- or use our herbal allies in the
kitchen -- for elevated meals or 'kitchen remedies'. This week we gathered and each made our own versions of fire cider and laughed together + learned a lot!

FIRE CIDER "Full Moon Version"

With lots of

+ good intentions

Fire Cider -- Full Moon Version !!

This is more of a template -- just an idea from my pantry, really. The keys are onions/garlic/hot pepper/horseradish + ginger. These are the foundations. All the other ingredients play their own part. Have fun + experiment!

Ingredients

2 Onions
6 cloves of Garlic
2 Thai chilis
4 inches of fresh HorseRadish
4 inches of Ginger root
3 small Turmeric roots
1 tablespoon Black pepper
4 sprigs of fresh Thyme
1 -2 Rosemary sprigs
2 tablespoon Hibiscus flowers
3 tablespoon Elderberries
2 tablespoon Dried cranberries
With lots of + good intentions

Instructions

NOTE: You may want to wear gloves if you chop the ingredients by hand.
Grate and chop the ingredients.
Place in a glass jar and cover all the ingredients with the vinegar.
Let sit 4 weeks.
Strain.
Optional: Sweeten to taste with honey**

Recipe Notes

Optional: Sweeten to taste with honey**

Fire cider is often taken by the spoonful, diluted in water, or added to food and drink.

Benefits include:

Supporting immune health during cold & flu season
Stimulating digestion and metabolism
Warming the body and improving circulation
Acting as a decongestant and sinus clearer
Providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activity

Whatever way you are inspired to make this special tonic, I hope you'll have fun with it + experiment with your herbs in the garden or from farmers' markets.
This is truly "the people's medicine" and an effective daily tonic. Take a teaspoon every hour when feeling susceptible. or at risk for a possible 'invader'.Here's to our health -- To preserving the bounty of our harvests + finding joy.
Carol xo