Winter is the season for immune support which means stoking your digestive fire. About 80% of your immune system lives in your digestive tract! In the cold, dark, and damp winter months of the pacific northwest, a little extra kindling to stoke your inner digestive fire, agni, in ayurvedic terms, goes a long way. This infused vinegar elixir is also known as "fire cider" though I think of it more as fuel to ignite the fire within and activate the body's vital force. Thus, "fire starter" is a easy and delicious winter ritual you will love. I make this seasonal tonic a part of my daily dose of medicinal food. I like taking it as a 1/2oz shot or adding olive oil and using it as a dressing. Horseradish: hot and dry, expelling, respiratory support, sinus opening, anti-fungal, anti-viral Ginger: warming circulatory tonic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, digestive aid, relieves gas and bloating Onion: boosts cardiovascular health, strengthens bone and connective tissue, anti-inflammatory Garlic: hot circulatory tonic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial Tumeric: warming, drying, pain relieving, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, liver protectant Peppers: improves circulation, regulate blood sugar levels, eases joint inflammation, reduces pain Raw Apple Cider Vinegar: aids digestion through maintaining an acidic pH in the stomach, preserves medicinal constituents of ingredients Raw Local Honey: vitamins and minerals, anti-fungal, anti-viral, seasonal allergy support RECIPE: Part 1 Horseradish (fresh) 1 Ginger (fresh) 1 Red onion 1/2 Tumeric root (fresh preffered) 1/2 Garlic 1/4 Peppers (jalepeno or other spicy variety) Raw apple cider vinegar Honey to taste Optional: rosemary, beets, sage, peppercorns, lemons, burdock root Coarsely chop all vegetables and put into blender. Add vinegar until soupy consistency and pulse so that the ingredients are coarsely blended. Over-blending into a paste will make it difficult to strain. I make 1/2 gallon at a time in a one gallon jar, which yields about a quart. Cap jar with lid and let sit for about 2 weeks. Shake or stir to make sure all vegetable bits are submerged in in vinegar. Taste it. When it tastes potent, it's time to strain the matter out and transfer the infused Fire Starter vinegar into a glass bottle. Add raw, local honey to taste and also for immune support and moistening action.
Take as a digestive stimulant, a circulatory warmer, at the onset of a cold, or a seasonal allergy attack. Dilute Fire Starter if you have too much systemic heat or have an active cold. |
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November 2015
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