The Essential Herbalist

Recent Posts

  • Fire Honey!

    Let’s make Fire Honey!

    What would you use Fire Honey for? It’s soothing for sore throats, it’s immune supporting, it’s warming to the body and it’s delicious!  Best of all it’s ready as soon as you mix it up!

    You. may hear a lot of people say that you need black pepper to “activate the turmeric”. Technically that is not true – let’s explore why Black Pepper is important when you use Turmeric.

    Turmeric’s active compound is curcumin. The problem with curumin is that it is not readily bio-available to the body. If you add piperine, it increases the bio-availablility of curcumin to the body. What is high in piperine?  Black pepper!  So by adding black pepper (freshly ground!) to any compound using turmeric – you will increase the bio-availability of the curcumin to the body!

    So let’s make this!

    [tasty-recipe id=”6648″]

     

  • Lightening Pizza – Faster than having it delivered!

    So many of us are in the middle of cooking for Thanksgiving..but there are still hungry mouths to feed!  Thinking of ordering a pizza to quell the rumbling tummies?  Here’s a recipe that is fast, delicious and you can serve it in less time that having a pizza delivered!

    You can thank me later!

    [tasty-recipe id=”6627″]

  • Now you see me… and…Poof! Here’s what happened!

     Did you wonder what happened? I was here and then I wasn’t. And it all started with a drip…drip…drip…

    On my way out to do morning chores one fall morning, I heard drip, drip, drip. Thinking I’d left my faucet on, I turned around to to see my ceiling bulging in the corner by the sink…like a huge balloon waiting to pop!  There was a tiny pin hole in the middle dripping…drip…drip…drip.

    One of my sons opened it up into a large trashcan with the hope we could stop the inevitable flood all over my soap kitchen.  Success!  We were sure we could make the repairs ourselves until we opened it up and took a look inside…MOLD!!! All kinds and colors!  Evidently, we’d had an ongoing water leak in the ceiling, coming from a bathroom upstairs. We needed help!

    We called a local company (ACR) and spoke to Ken who had people here in less than an hour. We also called our insurance company who had an adjuster here quickly.  Thus began the process of gutting the bathroom and my beautiful, cozy soap kitchen down to the studs! This took weeks with ACR using great effort to mitigate and control the mold issue. I never knew how serious mold was until this happened. Because we opened up that ceiling before containing walls were in place (didn’t even know there was such a thing!), we allowed all of the mold toxins to flow into that area and  I got sick….very, very, sick with mold poisoning! 

    As the soap kitchen was taken down to the studs following all the correct protocols for mold, air quality tests were done by an environmental biologist – upstairs where the leak started, in the soap kitchen and in my living area. The results weren’t great…some Stachybotrys mold and tons of penicillin and aspergillus forms of mold.

    Mold is nothing to mess around with…I began to feel weak, I had trouble walking straight, I was so tired it was hard to walk across a room. I had a tremendous amount of brain fog and memory issues, I sounded like I had pneumonia deep in my lungs and I couldn’t breathe when laying down – so I began sleeping in my recliner. And then there was the weight gain…oh, the weight gain. By the end of the year I thought I was dying and didn’t much care. I wrote letters to all my children and grandchildren. 

    I had been throwing all the herbs and oils at this that I could.  I was even doing an SOC protocol multiple times a day. These attempts probably saved my life until I got educated enough to figure out what to do. 

    I talked to the gentleman who created the SOC protocols and found out I was using the wrong protocols. He gave me some advice which I immediately applied and within 36 hours things began to turn around. I talked with my naturopath who did a major blood work-up and put me on some supplements that really helped. Turns out he had received special training in this area from one of the most famous experts, Dr. Shoemaker. I read everything I could by Dr. Shoemaker and John Banta and slowly…oh, so slowly, I made improvements.  

    Within a year, I felt like I was back to about 70%. I was told that was “fast”. I still had a lot of brain fog and memory issues. My energy was better but not back to normal.  We kept doing blood work, adjusting supplements, herbs and oils and improvement continued. 

    My soap kitchen and bathroom also continued slowly.  All of the studs from ceiling to floor had to be washed down with a special solution and painted in a special (read expensive!) paint to kill anything we missed washing and prevent mold growth in the future. Slowly construction continued. I picked out cabinets again – very similar to the remodeling we did just a short time earlier. I had to destroy much of the furniture that was there, some Persian rugs my mom had purchased on her world travels, a sliding barn door for the window that my sons had made for me from very old barn wood we found here on the farm (probably the greatest loss to me – I loved it!). All of the soaps and salves that were in stock at that time (ack!) and so much more.

    Then in May of this year, my doctor started me on a supplement that he formulated himself to support the Mitochondria.  With in a week of starting this, my brain woke up, I could think, plan, create again.  I began dropping the weight 1/2 lb to a lb a day.  My mitochondria were waking up! 

    Once that happened, I contacted Kelly who designed and maintains this website. I had asked her to close it down when I got so sick. She works magic y’all!  And, so I’m back…almost to 100% thanks to so many in the field of natural medicines, and those who study and teach about mold and how to overcome it!

    And thanks to all of you who chased me down looking for my soaps and salves (wow the Soothing Salve really motivated a lot of you!) through Facebook, phone calls, texts, emails and even snail mail! I have the best customers in the world!

    I look forward to blogging more, creating more soaps and salves and teaching and sharing more traditional skills here and on the farm!

    Blessings y’all!

    Cheri

     

  • My Greenhouse! Full of Hope & Magic!

    Greenhouses are places filled with hope and touched with magic.  On a cold, snowy February day, walking into my greenhouse is like waking into spring. Filling flats with my own potting soil, placing seeds into that lovely soil, adding a label, and watering everything fills me with hope and expectation for good things to come.  Those good things will feed my family until next year when spring happens once again in the middle of winter

    My greenhouse is my happy place! And this year I’m exceptionally grateful for it since here in Tennessee we are experiencing winter nights in the low 30s right now!

    OH.. the magic? Besides experiencing spring in the middle of winter? Think about it – we take little hard, dried seeds (some the size of pepper!). We stick them in dirt and add some water…what we are really planting is Hope.  Hope for a harvest, for food, for winter sustenance…hope that the darn things will actually sprout, turn green and provide us with yummy food, beautiful flowers, herbs to flavor our food and even herbs for medicine!

    These are Jacob’s Cattle Beans. We plant a variety of beans – some for fresh eating, some for canning and some of the dried bean varieties.  Jacob’s Cattle, Turtle Beans, Calypso Beans (my kids called them Shamu beans!). If you are growing a garden this year, be sure to save room for a row of dried beans of your choice. Dried beans are easy to store and they feed us through the winter in soups, stews and other dishes! Beans go from this….

    Jacob’s Cattle Beans

    Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans

    to this…pretty darn fast.  The fact that those little dried bean seeds burst forth with such green goodness is amazing to me each year! That one bean plant will fill tummies, canning jars and pots of chili, stew or soup for years if you save some of the seed!

    One watermelon will provide you with enough seeds to grow hundreds of watermelons…in fact you’ll have a lifetime of plants if you just save some seed each year!  Magic!

    We don’t think twice…plant a seed and our hope and expectation is that it will burst forth with life!

    When you are planting this year, stop and  appreciate the goodness that comes from a packet of seed!

    My favorite varieties?

    Pole beans (climbing beans that need support): Kentucky Wonder and Rattlesnake.

    Bush beans: Provider and Blue Lake

    Dried beans: Jacob’s Cattle, Soldier, Calypso, Great Northern, Turtle, Maine Yellow Eye and Cranberry.

    What bean varieties are you planting this year?

     

     

  • Strawberry Vinegar – Don’t Throw Away Your Strawberry Tops!

    It’s strawberry season in Florida so right now my grocery store is full of organic strawberries!  My strawberry beds haven’t even bloomed yet! In fact, after our few days in January of sub-zero weather, many of my plants did not survive.

    Next time you buy some organic strawberries, don’t throw the tops away!  When I want a strawberry vinegar, I use the tops I cut from my strawberries.  If I have plenty on the shelf, then my chickens enjoy the scraps.

    Fruit vinegars are super inexpensive to make!  I recently priced a non-organic fruit vinegar, 10 oz., in my local grocery store and it was $7.99 ON SALE!  No need to spend that money when I can make almost a quart for next to nothing! and it only takes a few minutes  Let’s do it!

    What you will need:  a canning jar, some filtered or spring water (not tap water), organic sugar, organic strawberries, sharp knife, a cutting board and a fermentation top or piece of cotton and a rubber band.

    Rinse your strawberries and carefully pay attention to the leaves on top, make sure any dirt gathered there or tiny dead leaves are washed away.

    Slice the tops off of the strawberries as you usually do. This time save the tops. The two little pieces of strawberries on the bottom left were treats for my 1 year old grandson!  The rest of the strawberries went into a fruit salad.

    Place those strawberry tops into a mason jar – make sure your jar is large enough to so that you only get it about  about 3/4 full.

    Add 1/4 cup sugar for a quart jar and 1/2 cup sugar for a 1/2 gallon jar (don’t worry…the sugar will be eaten up during the fermentation process!).

    Then add your filtered water….

    Next you want to stir to dissolve the sugar, use the end of a wooden spoon or a chopstick.

    Now you need to top with a fermentation lid…it can be as simple as a piece of cotton with a rubber band, or you can purchase a Pickling Pipe, or other kind of fermentation topper. This is important because oxygen is needed for that fermentation process

    These are some of the ones I have on hand.  I do a lot of fermentation.  I think the cloth is the cheapest ( you can get a bundle of fat quarters fairly cheaply) and the Pickling Pipes are the easiest (turquoise silicone piece).

    Put your choice of topper on and let this sit on your counter for up to 30 days.  You will need to stir it every day for  a week, maybe two….until you see the bubbles forming.  You should see some bubbles rising after a few days.

    The vinegar I just made is on the left and the jar on the right was done about 3 days before.

    It will begin to smell vinegary before long.  If you are concerned about the acidity (you are aiming for about a 3.5) you can test with inexpensive tape….you can get this from a pharmacy or off of Amazon. Do not dip this strip into your jar…take out a spoonful of the liquid and test what’s in your spoon.

    When you have reached 3.5 or lower and  you like the taste, strain off the liquid, feed the tops to your compost pile or chickens if you have them. (vinegar is great for you chickens – I often put a little in their waterer! Pour into a pretty jar and cap.  Voila!  You have delicious strawberry vinegar!

    I love to make a poppy seed dressing with this…or use in any other recipe calling for a fruit vinegar. It’s so yummy! Just add olive oil and you’ll have a flavorful marinade or salad dressing!

    You can use this same method for any other fruit scraps! Peeling apples, peaches, citrus fruit?  Make a vinegar from the scraps! You can even mix the fruit scraps! I have crushed raspberries and done this for a raspberry vinegar (my personal favorite!). If you are using citrus peels, you will need to increase the sugar since citrus peels don’t have a lot of sugar in them.

    You can also use herbs! I make basil vinegar every year – or mix oregano, rosemary, thyme for an Italian dressing to be used for salads or marinades.  You can make a Mexican blend using Cilantro and lime!

    Let me know what kind of vinegar you make and how you are going to use it!

    Cheri

     

  • Working Up Fire Cider!

    Remember this post?  https://theessentialherbalist.com/2023/01/fire-cider-for-immune-support/ on how to make Fire Cider?

    It’s time to strain it and bottle it!  You’ll need a cotton cloth, a bowl (make sure it is big enough to hold 2 quarts of liquid) and fine mesh strainer.  You will also need a couple of quart size mason jars to put the finished product in.

    Make sure your Fire Cider has been sitting at least 30 days – I did mine the beginning of January and today I am straining it to get the amazing benefits!

    Pour your Fire Cider mixture slowly through the cloth. Let it sit a few minutes to drain. I only do 1/2 of the jar at a time so that I am able to do the next part!

    Next you want to gather you cloth and squeeze every last drop of goodness out of this!  Don’t waste any of that amazing liquid!  You’ll be tempted to lick your fingers because it smells so good!

    Don’t toss what’s in the cloth….if you have chickens they will gobble this up!  Vinegar is so good for chickens…I regularly add it to their water.  If you don’t have chickens, you can put it in your compost bin.

    All you need to do now is bottle it!  I use canning jars.  You can see that I got a full quart which I typically save for immune support during the winter.  The other quart that is partially full will be used for salad dressing, drizzling over a sandwhich, meat marinage…yummy! You will want to keep this in the refrigerator!

    I took part of it and made a fabulous salad dressing.  You can add additional herbs but I found this batch so delicious that I used it just as it is!

    Time to start another batch!  I think I will go through this one fast this summer marinating meat for the grill, and making salad dressings once the garden is producing greens and lettuce!  I can’t wait to marinate lamb in this!

    Have you ever made Fire Cider?

    Blessings,

    Cheri

     

  • Lemon Balm – Melissa Officinalis!

    Melissa Officinalis – The Herb

    Melissa Officinalis, also known as Lemon balm, is a low-growing perennial herb in the Mediterranean mint family that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. Other common names are balm, bee balm, cure-all and sweet-balm. See why it is so important to use the latin name of plants? Those names could mean something totally different in another region!

    I don’t have lemon balm growing in my garden right now – I hope it survived our temps of 15 below for a few days in January.  Here is a picture provided by Park Seeds!

    The plant has bright green leaves that emit a strong lemon scent when bruised, and small white or pink flowers that bloom in the summer atop it’s central stem. It bears pairs of mint like leaves on opposite sides of a square stem. It quickly looses that lemon scent when stored.

    One of the main health benefits of lemon balm is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Research has found that is has a mild sedative effect. It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties and an ability to relieve cramps and gas. It is used to heal wounds, ease indigestion, relieve menstrual cramps, fight cold sores, relax nerves and soothe and prevent insect stings…it also useful if you deal with insomnia. Lemon Balm tea has been used to induce perspiration and relieve fever due to colds and flu. This herb is gentle enough for babies and children!

    The herb contains compounds that have a calming effect on the nervous system, making it a popular natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia. In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, participants who took a lemon balm supplement reported a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to those who took a placebo. Lemon balm has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in treating conditions such as eczema, herpes, and cold sores. The herb contains compounds called terpenes, which have been found to have antiviral effects and helps to reduce inflammation in the skin. 

    In addition to its stress-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, lemon balm has also been found to have a positive effect on cognitive function. Studies have shown that the herb can improve memory and concentration, making it a useful supplement for those with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

    When my 4 sons (all who have ADD/ADHD to one degree or another) were little I used to make what I called poor man’s lemonade! Essentially, I made a strong Lemon Balm Tea with a handful of leaves! I added either a slice or wedge of lemon depending on what I could afford at the time. They enjoyed the drink and afternoons were much calmer!

    Lemon balm is also a good source of antioxidants, which help to protect the body against free radical damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Flavonoids and polyphenolics found in lemon balm have been found to induce thyroid regulating actions. They block attachment to thyroid cells by the antibodies that cause Grave’s disease. Thyroid Stimulation Hormone (TSH) is also blocked from further stimulating the excessively active thyroid gland. Treatment of herpes infections is complicated by the fact that the virus can become resistant to drug treatment. Lemon balm expands the possibility of treatment and is useful when drugs fail. It kills off the virus in the test tube in as little as three hours! In addition to shortening the healing period, treatment with lemon balm prevented the spread of the infection and quickly relieved the itching, burning, tingling, swelling, stabbing and redness of a herpes outbreak.

    Lemon Balm did not induce drug resistance in the virus over time!! The rosmarinic acid in Lemon Balm acts against viruses, yeasts, and bacteria in the laboratory!. Lemon Balm has been studied as a treatment for insomnia and works even better when used with Valerian. A double-blind study of twenty people with insomnia compared the benefits of .125 mg of the sedative triazolam (Halcyon) against a placebo and a combination of valerian and lemon balm – the herbal combination was found to be as effective as the drug without any side effects! Lemon balm is a powerful herb with many health benefits. Its ability to reduce stress, inflammation, and improve cognitive function make it a valuable supplement for those who want to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Grow a patch of lemon balm in your garden – it’s a beautiful plant, you can use the leaves to make tea (have you seen the price of herbal tea in the store lately?) and dry them for use during the winter! Every time you brush past it and it releases that gorgeous lemon scent it will make you smile!

    Melissa Officinalis – The Essential Oil

    Melissa essential oil is a versatile and powerful oil extracted from the lemon balm plant. This essential oil has been used for centuries for its many therapeutic benefits, making it a popular choice among aromatherapists, massage therapists, and natural health practitioners. Here are just a few of the many benefits of Melissa essential oil: Properties: Antibacterial, antidepressant, antihistamine, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antiviral, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, tonic and uterine.

    1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Melissa essential oil has a calming and relaxing effect on the body and mind. It has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, making it an ideal oil for individuals who struggle with these conditions.

    2. Improves Sleep: Melissa essential oil has a sedative effect on the body, which can help to improve sleep quality. It can also help to alleviate insomnia and restlessness, allowing individuals to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.

    3. Supports the Immune System: Melissa essential oil is a natural, potent antiviral and antibacterial, which makes it a great tool for boosting the immune system. It can help to protect against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, and may even help to shorten the duration of colds and flu. I would never be without this oil in the world today. Cold sores? Apply directly 3 times per day.

    4. Alleviates Headaches and Migraines: Melissa essential oil has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines. This is likely due to its calming and relaxing effect on the body, which can help to reduce stress-related headaches.

    5. Supports Digestive Health: Melissa essential oil has a soothing effect on the digestive system, which can help to alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and gas. It may also help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, which can lead to better overall digestive health.

    6. Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Melissa essential oil haș also been shown to stop spasms and relieve pain caused by IBS. It does not cause constipation either as some medications do.

    Melissa essential oil is expensive! This is because it takes so much plant material to produce the oil. Use your points, buy it on a BOGO but get it somehow. It is a POTENT anti-viral and in today’s world I want the best anti-viral in my stash that I can get. I believe Melissa is one of them!

    CAUTIONS: 1. Lemon Balm has been found to increase the sedative effect of barbiturates. Therefore, avoid lemon balm tinctures and teas if you take barbiturates for anxiety or insomnia. Better yet, ask your physician to help you wean off of the meds and use Lemon Balm instead! 2. People with glaucoma should not use Melissa essential oil until more studies are conducted. Studies in animals suggest that it may raise pressure in the eye.

    In conclusion, Melissa essential oil is a versatile and powerful oil that has numerous therapeutic benefits. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving sleep, fighting viral infections, supporting the immune system, alleviating headaches and migraines, and supporting digestive health, Melissa essential oil is an excellent natural remedy for a variety of health concerns. Whether you use it in a diffuser, as a massage oil, or in a topical application, this essential oil is sure to bring a host of benefits to your overall health and wellness.

    Blessings,

    Cheri

  • My Immune Support Tea!

    We’re in what is supposed to be the coldest month of the year in Tennessee! Today I was outside washing 2 skunky dogs in short sleeves!  Weather is weird!

    I wanted to quickly share my own personal recipe for a tea that stimulates and supports your own immune system.  This is my go to winter tea!   I also drink it often throughout the year, especially if I feel like I’ve been around sick people!

    You can grow these herbs or find them online…I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs or Starwest Botanicals for fresh organic herbs! You MUST use organic herbs when making herbal remedies!  Otherwise you can introduce chemicals or who knows what else that could compromise your health even further!  Organic! Trust me!

    I hope you enjoy one of my favorite personal blends!

    Cheri

    [tasty-recipe id=”6419″]

     

  • Gone Muddin’!

    I’ve been muddin’. Ever heard of it?  I’ve not intentionally gone muddin’ mind you…but right now it’s gonna happen no matter what. Even though my little Kubota is in 4 wheel drive, we are still slip slidin’ all over this farm!I I captured these pics on the only semi-sunny day that popped up between weeks of rain and snow ….(mainly rain) we’ve had in weeks.

    Work shoes are out of the question!  Work boots are required because you sink so deep the mud will pull your shoe right off of your foot and swallow it!

    This is the entrance to our chicken yard…yuck!

    I hate using the Kubota and the tractor right now…but cows have to be fed so we end up with ruts! My son has been “hoeing” out the tractor ruts so when the sun returns the ground will dry more evenly!

    This is my view several times a week…I’m going through hay like a house o’ fire! I generously  calculated what I would need for the year, and then added 8 more round bales in case March was a little cold but now I’m not sure I”ll make it till the end of this month! Need to sell some cows this spring!  Looking for a pretty little calf to turn into a milk cow?  Looking for a nice gentle Dexter? I think I’ve gotcha covered! Give me a shout!

    The next time I need to drop another bale, I’ll need to move the feeder first!

    The cows are muddy, the dogs are muddy, the chickens look like mud wrestlers, and of course…I’m muddy.

    Even though I aim for the “driest” places to step…my boots still end up looking like this! And we’ve had another week of rain since I took this picture! If it would get cold enough to freeze the ground and stay that way it would be easier but this freezing one day and up in the 40’s the next has my pastures “tore up!” as they say around here!

    This is also my view twice a day after coming in from chores!

    So why do I love this life? I love the freedom, the self-sufficiency, the community, the animals, the peace, the quiet…with the world the way it is I pray it stays this way…if we don’t push back at what’s coming down the pike we will all be in a “world of hurt”! as my grandma used to say!

    I’ll leave you with this pic….doesn’t he look like a little teddy bear?

    We have sunshine tomorrow – then more rain turning into snow next week..oh joy!

    That old saying of my Grandma’s, “better make hay while the sunshines” has taken on a whole new meaning these last few weeks!

    Stay dry y’all!

    Cheri

  • Fire Cider for Immune Support!

    Have you ever heard of Fire Cider? It’s a traditional folk remedy that has been used for centuries to support the immune system and promote overall wellness. This herbal tonic is made by infusing apple cider vinegar with a variety of herbs and spices, including garlic, ginger, horseradish, and onion. The result is a potent, pungent liquid that is said to help boost the body’s natural defenses against colds, flu, and other infections.

    The origins of Fire Cider can be traced back to the 17th century, when it was first used by rural communities in the United Kingdom and Europe. It was passed down through generations and has been traditionally used by herbalists and folk healers. The formula and preparation method of fire cider can vary depending on the herbalist, but the core ingredients typically include apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, onion, horseradish, and hot peppers. I’ve been making mine for over 20 years and use a few additional ingredients.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Be sure to use all organic ingredients – you don’t want to introduce chemicals or pesticides into a compromised immune system!

    You will chop all of the ingredients: use a machine if you have one – easy peasy! Mine go into the jar in layers but as you will see it doesn’t stay that way once you add the apple cider vinegar!

     

    [tasty-recipe id=”6385″]

    One of the key benefits of Fire Cider is its ability to support the immune system. The combination of ingredients used in the tonic has been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to protect the body against viral and bacterial infections.

    American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): is a root used in herbal medicine. Both Native American healers and Chinese medicine have utilized it. Research suggests it may boost energy, stimulate the immune system, and lower blood sugars.

    Onion (Allium cepa) Loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C and quercetin plus minerals like potassium and sulfur, onions are amazing for supporting digestive health and immune function.

    Garlic (Allium sativum): The benefits of garlic for health have been proclaimed for centuries; however, only recently has garlic been proposed for maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. In other words, modern research is beginning to validate garlic’s use as a folk remedy for immune support. Specifically, studies are finding that garlic supports balanced immune and inflammatory processes. Garlic is also known for its antiviral properties,

    Ginger root (Zingiber officinale): has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to soothe tummy complaints such as nausea, morning sickness, gas, and indigestion.Also, according to Penn State Medical Center, it has a history of use in helping to ease “the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and painful menstrual periods.” Ginger is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties!

    Horseradish root (Armoracia rusticana): Rich in folate and a compound called sinigrin, studies have found that horseradish helps the body break up congestion and calms inflammation. Horseradish is also known for its antimicrobial properties.

    Turmeric root (Curcuma longa): The main constituent in turmeric root, curcumin, has been shown to exhibit “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal” and other properties

    Cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum): (or habanero if you’re feeling brave) are rich in capsaicin, which assists the body in managing inflammation.

    Lemon (Citrus limon) Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which supports immune function. This recipe also incorporates the rind, which draws out a compound called limonene that has mood lifting, digestion supporting, and immune system benefits.  Again organic is key!  Conventional lemons may have absorbed pesticide residue that can’t be washed off.

    In addition to its immune-boosting properties, Fire Cider is also said to be beneficial for the digestive system. The vinegar and herbs are believed to help stimulate the production of stomach acid and enzymes, which can aid in digestion and help to prevent indigestion.

    Fire Cider can be taken daily as a preventative measure or when you feel a cold or flu coming on. To use, take 1-2 tablespoons of the tonic straight or diluted in water or juice, up to three times a day. Start small and work your way up to larger doses!

    It is important to note that Fire Cider is made with raw apple cider vinegar and can be very strong. It may cause heartburn or upset stomach in some individuals. Start with a small amount and gradually increase to your desired level.

     As always….it is best to consult your healthcare practitioner before taking any herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant or have any underlying health conditions.