Fire Cider Benefits For Health, How To Use It, & Side Effects

Know Your Ingredient: Fire Cider

What Is It?
A spicy herbal concoction made of garlic, onion, pepper, ginger, horseradish, and apple cider vinegar.

What Are Its Benefits?
Treats cold and flu, boosts the immune system and heart health, aids in digestion, and helps relieve pain and inflammation.

Who Can Consume It?
All except those who may be allergic to one of its ingredients.

How Often?
Regularly, but in moderation.

Caution
May lead to tooth decay and irritable bowel syndrome if consumed in excess.

What Is Fire Cider?

Fire cider is an herbal, spicy concoction that purportedly treats cold and flu, boosts the immune system, and aids in digestion. It is a type of herbal medicine called oxymel, an ancient Greek word meaning acid and honey.This concoction was developed in the 1970s by Rosemary Gladtstar, folk herbalist and founder of the California School of Herbal Studies. Fire cider combines sour, pungent, hot, and sweet flavors into one drink. The original recipe contains the following ingredients:

• Fresh garlic
• Horseradish
• Fresh ginger
• Onions
• Chili peppers

Gladtstar’s original recipe asks users to soak the above ingredients in apple cider vinegar for 4 weeks. Before drinking it, you can add honey to balance the sour and spicy taste. Since it is an herbal remedy, there are multiple variations to the recipe. You can add the following ingredients to spice up your already spicy drink:

• Turmeric
• Jalapenos
• Lemon
• Rosehip
• Orange

Does fire cider benefit your health or is it just a spicy tonic? Let’s find out in the next section.

Benefits Of Fire Cider

Currently, there is no scientific evidence that supports how fire cider benefits us. However, this section will look at the potential health benefits of the individual ingredients in detail.

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been one of the most popular home remediesfor its antimicrobial properties. A 2021 study indicates that apple cider vinegar may be effective against fighting off bacteria such as E. coli and S. aureus (1). Another study found that apple cider vinegar demonstrates high antifungal activity against the Candida species, a fungus that causes infections such as denture stomatitisⁱ  XInflammation of the gums in people wearing dentures caused by excess growth of the yeast Candida. (2). While these laboratory studies show promise, clinical studies will need to be conducted to understand the link between apple cider vinegar and its antimicrobial properties.

• Garlic

Garlic has been used by many cultures for centuries to treat various medical conditions. A 2020 review indicates that garlic may be used to treat a wide range of illnesses. They include hypertension, coronary heart disease, osteoarthritisⁱ  XAlso known as a wear and tear disease, it is a type of arthritis in which the tissues in the joint break down over time. , and high cholesterol (3). Studies have also indicated that black garlic extract inhibits the growth of different cancer cells (4), (5), (6). Scientific evidence suggests that aged garlic extract may be essential in fighting off flu symptoms (7).

• Ginger

Native to South Asia, ginger has been commonly used for the treatment of inflammation, pain, and nausea. Studies indicate that ginger is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties (7). Another study indicates that ginger may play an instrumental role in the management of rheumatoid arthritisⁱ  XA form of arthritis in which the tissue lining the joints is attacked by the immune system, causing pain and swelling. (8).

• Horseradish

Known for its pungent odor and taste, horseradish comes with its own set of benefits. A study was conducted to compare the efficacy of horseradish supplement and nasturtium against traditional antibiotics. It was conducted on 1500 people with acute sinusitisⁱ  XAn inflammation of the tissues in the sinuses triggered by an allergic reaction and cold, leading to headaches and a runny nose. , bronchitisⁱ  XAn infection of the bronchi, the primary airways of the lungs, causing breathing issues and mucus buildup. , and urinary tract infection for 14 weeks. The researchers found that horseradish supplement and nasturtium had a significantly higher effect on the patients than standard antibiotics (9).

• Onion

Onion is a common household ingredient high in essential vitamins and minerals. Scientific evidence suggests that onions may help reduce the risk of stomach cancer (10). Onions may potentially be used as an anticancer agent or in combination with chemotherapy (11).

• Chili Peppers

Despite being very spicy, chili peppers may benefit your health in more ways than one. Studies indicate capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, may aid in weight management, boost your immunity, and may stop the spread of prostate cancer (12), (13), (14).

• Honey

You may find it surprising but honey has been used for years for its pharmacological properties. Scientific literature suggests that honey would be an excellent addition to your diet due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (15).

Jennifer Abella, a lifestyle blogger, was introduced to fire cider by one of her ex-colleagues, and she shares how it has been a magical potion for her in one of her blog posts: “Surprisingly, or maybe coincidentally, within a couple of months, two tablespoons [of fire cider] a day cut down the severity and frequency of my allergies and colds (i).”

Quick Tip

Some people also suggest adding rosemary, thyme, or cinnamon in the recipes as they may help boost brain function and improve mood.

How And When To Take Fire Cider

Fire cider is an herbal potion that may be too spicy for most people. You can change the quantities as per your preference and taste. You can either buy a premade version online or from specialty stores. Ideally, it is recommended that you take 2 tablespoons of fire cider throughout the day. For those feeling adventurous, you can take one shot of 45mL fire cider every day. If drinking it raw makes you squeamish, you can dilute it with 1 cup of water. Fire cider can also be added to the following:

• Soups
• Salads
• Meat dishes
• Sauces
• Marinades

Did You Know?

Fire cider can also be used as an add-on in teas and stews and some people also add it to cocktails to spice them up.

Classic Fire Cider

Ingredients

• 3 cups of apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup (56 grams) of chopped ginger
• 1/2 cup of chopped onion
• 1/4 cup of grated horseradish
• 3 tablespoons of chopped garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup of honey

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients except apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass jar.
2. Now add apple cider vinegar to the jar till it covers all the ingredients.
3. Seal the jar and shake it well.
4. Store it in a dark and cool place for 4 weeks.
5. Give it one shake every day.
6. After 4 weeks, strain the liquid into a bottle and add honey.

Fire Cider Kale Crunch Salad

Salad Ingredients

• 1 head of green leaf or red leaf kale
• 1 cup of raspberries
• 1 cup of cooked white rice, chilled
• ½ cup of raw walnut halves
• ½ apple cut into matchsticks
• ½ lemon, juiced
• ½ tablespoon of olive oil

Dressing Ingredients

• ½ cup of olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of fire cider
• ½ tablespoon of honey
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon of ginger. Freshly grated
• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon of salt

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a jar. Shake it till ingredients are properly obtained. Keep it in the fridge while you prepare your salad.
2. Take a bowl and add chopped kale, lemon juice, and olive oil. Massage the kale with your hands till soft to the touch.
3. Add raspberries, cooked rice, apple, and walnuts and toss the mix.
4. Drizzle fire cider dressing over the salad, toss again and serve.

You can store fire cider in the refrigerator for upto 3 weeks. In the next section, let’s find out the possible side effects of consuming fire cider.

Possible Side Effects Of Fire Cider

While there is no scientific evidence indicating the side effects of fire cider, you may find a few potential side effects related to its ingredients.

• • Prolonged exposure to apple cider vinegar has been associated with erosion of teeth (15).
  • Studies have identified onion and garlic as possible allergens (16).
  • Chili may worsen the symptoms of people diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (17).

Quick Tip

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and may cause acid reflux or irritate the stomach. Always dilute it before use.

To Sum It Up

Infographic: 7 Ingredients To Add To Fire Cider

Fire cider is a spicy tonic that may boost your immunity, aid in weight loss, and improve your overall well-being, making it an excellent addition to your diet. But what are the ingredients needed to make this pungent, sour, spicy, and sweet concoction? Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is fire cider good for gut health?

The intake of fire cider may help support digestion and promote gut health. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove these claims.

Is fire cider better than apple cider vinegar?

Fire cider is made by steeping garlic, hot peppers, honey, and onions in apple cider vinegar. The goodness of these ingredients may help fire cider work better than apple cider vinegar. However, there is no research available on the benefits of fire cider.

Does fire cider make you lose weight?

Onion and garlic present in fire cider may help you lose those extra pounds (18), (19).

When should I take fire cider?

You can either take 2-3 tablespoons of fire cider throughout the day or one large shot before or after eating.

Learn about the amazing health benefits of fire cider and get recipes from the video below! Discover how this natural remedy can help improve your health and well-being.

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Dr Archana BatraPG Diploma, CDE

     

Dr Archana Batra is a dietitian, physiotherapist, and Certified Diabetes Educator with over 13 years of experience in nutrition and diet counseling. She specializes in weight management diets and diets related to metabolic disorders like diabetes, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, etc. She believes in following healthy eating practices to lose weight and prevent lifestyle-related disorders. Dr Archana tailors her plans...more

Varsha PatnaikHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Varsha holds a master's degree in biotechnology from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, and is a certified diet and nutrition coach with two years of experience. She combines her scientific knowledge and her passion for writing to produce research-backed content in the health and wellness domain. Her writing focuses on the health and nutritional benefits of various ingredients and diets and how...more

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

Payal KarnikSenior Health & Wellness Writer

Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science. This formidable combination equips her with the knowledge to write research-backed health and wellness articles. She has also published a research...more