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 used as a popular home remedy for years for 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 stomatitis (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, osteoarthritis, 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 arthritis (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 sinusitis, bronchitis, 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). Not sure about how to take your fire cider? Don’t worry. Head onto the next section to get a better understanding.
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
Now, let’s check two amazing recipes that you can try at home.
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
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 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).
To Sum It Up
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.
