Fire Cider.... A Must Have for the Season!

So, for the past several years I've made this remarkable "stuff" every autumn. I have to say that I swear by it! Fire Cider is super easy to make and I have found that daily use of it can stave off cold and flu symptoms during the fall and winter seasons. If we do happen to catch something, it usually doesn't last as long as it normally would have. In those cases, we amp up our "dosage"! 

What is Fire Cider? Well, as the name suggests, it's not the tastiest treat in your kitchen! Fire Cider is made by letting certain veggies and roots soak for a week or two in some apple cider vinegar. The original recipe was developed (I think) by Rosemary Gladstar. You can watch her preparing it in this YouTube video: Fire Cider Video by Rosemary Gladstar

If you aren't into watching the whole thing, I'll offer my version here!
Cut up the following in big chunks and put in a container. I use a glass container. 

ONION
HORSE RADISH ~ I have used the kind in a jar with good effect, as I seem to have a hard time finding this!
GARLIC CLOVES
GINGER ROOT
TUMERIC (I use powdered for this)
JALEPENO PEPPER
CAYENNE (I use powdered)

Next cover all of it with Apple Cider Vinegar and let that stuff sit and soak for a few weeks. I don't refrigerate mine although I suspect some people do. After two weeks, strain the chunks of "stuff" out and keep the liquid. (The original recipe says 4 weeks, but I've found two is OK) Some people shake it up daily. I shake it up a bit whenever I remember to.... ;) 

Add raw honey and some lemon if you'd like for taste. Definitely the honey though! I don't often add the lemon. 

Now this ends up being a bit of an acquired taste, but it's well worth it! We tend to take about a tablespoon full per day as a preventative and jack that up to 3 tablespoons a day if we happen to catch something!!

Have you ever used Fire Cider? What are your experiences with it? Do you add anything else into your recipe? Please share in the comments below!!!