Remember the poem by Robert Fulghum, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?” It was a list of lessons that everyone should have learned in kindergarten and first on the list was ~ Share Everything! Another biggie is “don’t take things that aren’t yours.” And of course, we can’t forget, “say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.”

This poem has always resonated with me, as I really like to share. Whether it’s an herbal remedy I have that will ease your discomfort or the French fries on your plate, it really doesn’t matter ~ I love sharing.  I’ve always felt more comfortable sharing than keeping things and thoughts to myself; it’s just the way I’m wired. Lucky for me, there are others that roam the earth that feel the same way. I think that is why it felt so effortless to ease myself from exploring the natural world on my own to become a welcomed member of the herbalist community over the years. I cannot even tell you the moment it happened it was so natural. I found my tribe. I like to think we use the plants as our mentors who set an excellent example for us. The plants openly offer us all the information and support we need to survive, heal and thrive in this world if we just observe, pay attention and share.

When I first heard Susun Weed use the phrase, “Herbalism is the people’s medicine,” it floored me. It was perfect. Herbalism is accessible to everyone! Anyone, anywhere can use it. They simply need to learn by experimenting, watching, reading and exploring ~ all the information is out there. And for the most part, the herbal community is awesome at sharing. It is common for herbalists to share their remedies, recipes and experiences. Some recipes have names and each individual puts their own spin on it, like pot roast or bouillabaisse. Herbalist share and sometimes adapt their own recipes. We all learn from each other. Nevertheless, as with any community, there are individuals that don’t play well with others and want to take the game ball home with them in the middle of the game.

Currently, there is one company that obviously never learned the virtues of sharing in kindergarten and are trying to take the game ball (which never belonged to them) home with them. Shire City Herbals (SCH) decided to trademark a name, Fire Cider for a recipe that was not theirs but was created by beloved herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, who has been sharing it since the 1970s. Not only did they trademark the common term Fire Cider but have actually issued Cease & Desist letters to small herbal businesses, and have forced several of them to stop using the name Fire Cider even though they have been selling it for years before SCH was even a business. The herbal community has banded together to fight this wrongful trademark and as a result SCH is suing the three community herbalist organizing Free Fire Cider for $100,000, which is a tremendous amount of money for them. On May 12, 2016, the federal court in Massachusetts dismissed five out of the ten claims that SCH had brought against the 3 defendants but the legal battle continues. This is obviously a short synopsis of the ongoing saga of Fire Cider, for a more in depth history; please head to FreeFireCider.com to hear Rosemary Gladstar’s balanced account of the Fire Cider story. I am confident that SCH will lose their undeserved trademark in the end. But will they remember to say they are sorry to all the herbalists that they have hurt through this process? I hope so.

So what is Fire Cider? Well, it’s a hot and spicy tonic that helps boost the immune system, stimulate digestion, and warms you on cold winter days. Like most folk recipes, it changes with the availability of ingredients and at the maker’s whims. Nevertheless, it is basically apple cider vinegar infused with powerful immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, decongestant, and spicy circulatory movers, along with potent antioxidants and warming spices to support digestion. It is an ideal winter tonic to help prevent cold and flu symptoms and can shorten the duration if you do get a bug.

Fire Cider is very versatile; many people take 1-2 tablespoons daily throughout the cold weather months as a preventative measure, or every three to four hours if symptoms arise. It’s great to use as salad dressing or add to a smoothie or stir-fry and other dishes, options are limited by one’s imaginations and palate.

Last year, I decided to make my own Fire Cider and poured over numerous recipes. I loved how it came out; unfortunately, it is so yummy there wasn’t enough to last the winter. So this year, I doubled the batch. I wonder if it will be enough?

Fire Cider (1 gallon)

Put each ingredient into a food processor to shred them first before measuring

• 1 cup packed peeled organic ginger root
• 1 cup packed peeled organic horseradish root
• 1 cup packed peeled organic turmeric
• 1 cup packed organic onion with its juice
• 7 organic cloves = ½ cup
• 3 chopped organic jalapeno peppers
• 2 organic lemons (peels and all)

Pour over top, covering all ingredients

• organic raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar

After 4-8 weeks, filtered and add

• 1 cup raw honey (to taste)

Filled a clean jar with all the solid ingredients and then cover with organic apple cider vinegar. It is a good idea to weigh down ingredients with a cheesecloth bag full of marbles or something similar. Do not use a metal lid with any vinegar. It will corrode the metal. Use a plastic lid or cork. If you need to use a metal lid, line it with plastic wrap or wax paper before screwing it on.

Store for at least 4-8 weeks, shaking it daily, giving it lots of love and intention. Filter through a cheesecloth lined stainless steel strainer. Save the marc for making chutney or adding to dishes.

Gently warm honey so it will mix easily with Fire Cider, add to taste. You want a hot, spicy and sweet tonic. Make sure not to heat honey over 120° F, as it will kill the wonderful enzymes and bacteria that are so rich in healing properties.

Fire Cider will keep for several months unrefrigerated, if stored in a cool pantry.  But it’s better to store in the refrigerator.

Make your own Fire Cider and remember to always share it.

Enjoy and share!

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.