Try this fiery little immune tonic

Fire Cider Immune Tonic

Fire cider is pure magic to the immune system and super easy to make. Containing potent immune aids like garlic, turmeric, honey and apple cider vinegar and allowing it to ferment and brew even more immune magic over 4 weeks to create naturally occurring beneficial bacteria, yeast and enzymes that can really help to support your immune system, gut health, reduce inflammation and give you a little extra fiery kick of vitality.

Here in the UK we have had a very mild and damp winter and this creates a perfect breeding ground for pathogens so giving your body a little boost is just what we need right now. This recipe was inspired by Riverford. They created this recipe kit which was delivered to my door with my weekly organic veg box, making it even easier to put together.

Rhi Hepple Naturopath makes fire cider immune tonic

Fire Cider Vinegar Ingredients

5 garlic cloves - pealed

2 inch piece of ginger, pealed and sliced

3 chillis, sliced into rings

1 piece of turmeric, sliced into rounds

1 orange, juice and zest

2 tbsp of raw honey

1 cinnamon stick

500ml of raw organic apple cider vinegar

4 strips of fresh rosemary

a few grinds of black pepper

It can be a little make your own magic. You could also add a sliced onion, a sprinkling of cinnamon if you wanted. Add more herbs like thyme and oregano. Swap the chillis for cayenne pepper, use honea or maple syrup etc

You need at least a 1 litre glass air tight container. Mine is much bigger as that is all I had available to use, just as long as it can be sealed.

Add all the ingredients into an airtight glass container. Give the ingredients a good stir and make sure they are all fully submerged into the vinegar before closing the jar. Store in a cool dry, dark place and “burp” the lid every day to stop the build up of any gases. Allow to brew all its fermented magic for about 4 weeks to get the most potent immune boosting properties. You can drink it sooner, but the longer you leave it the more fermented it gets. Then drain and sieve away all the ingredients, reserving the liquid. Store in the fridge for up to 6 months (if it lasts that long!). Enjoy 1-2tbsp a day, can be made into a punchy salad dressing, or add some to some olive oil and adding some extra honey to sweeten a little more, add some horseradish if you want even more of a fiery kick, or add to still or sparkling water or my favourite to some hot water in a mug with a squeeze of lemon for a daily medicinal immune boosting drink.