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Fire Cider Tonic Recipe – The Master Tonic for Colds and Flu

Make this versatile tonic now so that you have it ready for cold and flu season!

August 1, 2020 By Mary's Nest 2 Comments

Fire Cider Tonic Recipe – The Master Tonic for Colds and Flu

Watch the Fire Cider Tonic Recipe – Master Tonic Home Remedy for Colds and Flu video

Learn how to make this Master Tonic for colds and flu with this Fire Cider Tonic Recipe. This recipe is easy to make and uses common pantry staples that you probably already have on hand in your kitchen.

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Fire Cider and Master Tonics

What exactly is a Master Tonic? Great question! A Master Tonic refers to an all-encompassing home remedy that helps to ease a myriad of symptoms. And Fire Cider is known as the original Master Tonic. You can make the original recipe with simple pantry staples, but you can tailor it to suit various conditions by adding additional herbs and spices.

What is in Fire Cider?

The basic ingredients in this wonderful elixir include:

  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Ginger
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Horseradish
  • Apple cider vinegar

Your horseradish should generally be fresh (but not required – see more about this below), and you’ll top your mixture off with apple cider vinegar. If possible, use raw apple cider vinegar, which is sometimes labeled “with the mother.” The “mother” represents the good bacteria that is rich in probiotics and is excellent for gut health. And of course, you can certainly use your own homemade apple cider vinegar to make this tonic.

All you have to do is steep your ingredients in the apple cider vinegar for about three to four weeks, then strain and decant it and you’re all set. You’ll have your Fire Cider ready to get you through cold and flu season. (So be sure to make it now with my printable recipe so it will be prepared in time once the fall season rolls around!)

Fresh Horseradish? That’s Not Common!

Don’t worry if you don’t have fresh horseradish on hand. This ingredient can be hard to find at many local grocery stores, and it’s often not even found at specialty stores. But as I mentioned earlier…you need “generally” fresh horseradish to make Fire Cider, but not exclusively. (And in some recipes, it’s even left out.)

The good news is that an easy fix for fresh horseradish is bottled horseradish, which is usually sold at most grocery stores. Just make sure to look for a brand that contains just horseradish with nothing added other than vinegar and salt. Avoid any horseradish sold with cream. (I show you the horseradish that I use in my recipe video.)

Can I Modify the Recipe?

Keep in mind that this Fire Cider Recipe is for the Master Tonic Recipe, which means that all recipe variations stem from this basic recipe. If the basic recipe contains ingredients you don’t like, leave them out.

If you want to add certain herbs and spices, such as turmeric (fresh or dried) for its anti-inflammatory properties, you can easily modify the recipe. You can tailor this basic recipe in any way you like.

Refer to Rosemary Gladstar for More

If you want to learn how to tailor your Fire Cider Recipe to help you with certain conditions, be sure to refer to the book Fire Cider! by Rosemary Gladstar. Rosemary developed the original Fire Cider Master Tonic, and she shares many variations in her book.

And if you enjoy making Master Tonics and other herb and spice-based home remedies, be sure to check out Rosemary’s other book, Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use. This book is absolutely outstanding and definitely of value, even to those experienced at making herbal remedies. I refer to it often and have found it to be indispensable. I based my Homemade Thyme Cough Medicine on a recipe from this book.

More Natural Living Recipes

Now that you know how to make the Master Tonic Fire Cider, be sure to watch these other videos where I show how to make a variety of home remedies, including an easy cold and flu remedy that only uses four ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes! Plus, I show you how to make an immune-boosting mineral broth, your own homemade elderberry syrup, and more!

  • Home Remedy for Colds and Flu – Made with 4 Simple Ingredients and Ready in Minutes
Mary standing in front of a basket of vegetables used to make Super Mineral Broth.
  • Super Mineral Broth Recipe on the Stovetop – Natural Immune Booster
Immune Boosting Honey - Infused with Garlic, Ginger, and Turmeric Video
  • Immune Boosting Honey – Infused with Garlic, Ginger, and Turmeric
Ginger Honey Natural Remedy Video
  • How to Make Ginger Honey to Fight Colds and Flu
Turmeric Golden Milk Spice Mix Recipe Video
  • Turmeric Golden Milk Spice Mix Recipe

Homemade Syrup Recipes

Try making these easy syrup recipes to store in your pantry.

Mary holding a bottle of Elderberry Syrup.
  • Elderberry Syrup Recipe – Fight Colds and Flu Naturally
  • Homemade Rose Hips Syrup Recipe – High in Vitamin C
Homemade Cough Syrup Remedy Preparation Video
Homemade Cough Syrup Remedy Recipe Decanting Video
  • Homemade Cough Syrup: Natural Remedy with Honey & Thyme
  • (Part 1: Preparation)
  • (Part 2: Decanting)

Make Your Own Ingredients

You can make your own Apple Cider Vinegar to use in your Fire Cider. I show you the easy recipe in this step-by-step video.

How to Make Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother Video
  • How to Make Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother – DIY From Scratch Recipe for Beginners (3 Part Series)

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I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!

Love,
Mary ♥
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Fire Cider Tonic Recipe

Learn how to make this Master Tonic for colds and flu with this Fire Cider Tonic Recipe. This recipe is easy to make and uses simple pantry staples that you probably already have on hand in your kitchen. (A word of caution. I am not a medical doctor, so to be safe, be sure to check with your physician before taking Fire Cider Tonic or any homemade natural remedy.)
Prep Time15 mins
Steeping Time28 d
Total Time28 d 15 mins
Course: Natural Remedies
Cuisine: Americana
Keyword: Cold and Flu Home Remedy, Fire Cider, Fire Cider Tonic, Fire Cider Tonic Recipe, home remedy, Master Tonic, Master Tonic Recipe, Natural Remedy
Servings: 32 servings
Author: Mary’s Nest

Equipment

  • 64-ounce glass jar with screw-on lid

Ingredients

  • 2 large Onions, rough chopped small with skins left on
  • 2 heads Whole garlic, rough chopped small with skins left on
  • 2 3-4 inch pieces Fresh ginger, rough chopped small with the peel left on
  • 1/2 cup Horseradish, grated This can be fresh grated or from a bottle, but make sure that if you use horseradish from a bottle, the horseradish DOES NOT contain cream.
  • 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper You can use the ground cayenne pepper or the flakes.
  • Raw apple cider vinegar, to cover

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients, except vinegar, in a large jar, preferably a 64-ounce wide-mouth jar.
  • Add vinegar to the jar to cover all the ingredients and leave approximately a 1-2 inch headspace at the top of the jar.
  • Screw the lid onto the jar, and place the jar in a warm place in your kitchen out of direct sunlight.
  • Each day for the next four weeks, give the jar a shake by inverting it and then setting it back to its right side up position. Make sure that the jar lid is on securely before doing this.
  • After four weeks have passed, strain out the solids and decant the liquid into a clean bottle with a screw-top lid. You should refrigerate your Fire Cider Tonic, and it should last for up to one year.
  • To take this as a tonic, you will take 1-2 ounces straight or take the same amount mixed in warm water with a bit of honey, if you want.

Video

Notes

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, YouTube Channel, and related social media, including: text, images, videos, or other formats were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched on this video or read on the corresponding website.
Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/fire-cider-tonic-recipe/
To make your own vinegar, you can find the How to Make Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother – DIY From Scratch Recipe for Beginners recipe at https://marysnest.com/how-to-make-homemade-apple-cider-vinegar/
Copyright © 2020 Mary’s Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

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Favorite Home Remedy Making Supplies

  • 64-ounce Jar
  • 32-ounce Jar
  • 16-ounce Jar
  • Plastic Storage Lids
  • KitchenAid Blender
  • Wusthof Knife
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Recommended Reading

  • Fire Cider!: 101 Zesty Recipes for Health-Boosting Remedies Made with Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use
  • Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family
  • Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats

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*Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My videos and blog posts may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.

**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.

Filed Under: Colds & Flu, Fire Cider, Fire Cider, Home Remedies, Master Tonic, Natural Remedies Tagged With: Fire Cider, Fire Cider Recipe, Fire Cider Tonic, Fired Cider Tonic Recipe, Home Remedies, Home Remedy, Master Tonic, Master Tonic Recipe, Natural Remedies, Natural Remedy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paula says

    January 4, 2023 at 11:24 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. I did not have the horseradish. Low and behold I did have on hand “Pensy’s” powder horseradish. So I used it. It did raise a question for me. Mary what are your thoughts on possibly substituting wasabi? I personally think it might work. Would love to here your thoughts. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Mary's Nest says

      January 17, 2023 at 8:05 pm

      Hi Paula,

      Thanks so much for your kind comment.

      Most “wasabi” sold today isn’t real wasabi. Instead, it is made out of powdered horseradish and food coloring. Therefore, I think it would work similarly to actual horseradish. However, you may be introducing artificial food coloring into your ferment, which is a drawback.

      If you can find real wasabi, that would be great, but if not, you can certainly experiment with the imitation version. Please let me know how it works out. 🙂

      Love and God bless,
      Mary

      Reply

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