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How to make fire water, a natural cold and flu remedy.
In our home, we’re big fans of natural remedies. Whenever we find ourselves fighting a cold or flu, we first turn to our natural medicine cabinet and select some natural cold and flu remedies to try.
In addition to Vitamin C and elderberry syrup, we also use essential oils, herbal tea, and lots of bone broth.
Lately, our favorite natural cold and flu remedy is fire water (also known as “fire cider”). The active ingredients are simply apple cider vinegar and cayenne. It’s so simple and inexpensive to make!
It’s one of the best things to have on hand during cold and flu season.
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How to Make Fire Water
You probably already have the ingredients for fire cider in your pantry. Here’s all you need:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Boil the water.
- Stir in the salt and cayenne powder. Stir until the salt and cayenne have dissolved into the water.
- Add the apple cider vinegar (we prefer to use raw apple cider vinegar).
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge and take 1 tablespoon every 15-20 minutes until you start to feel better. The key is to be sure to take it every 15 minutes for it to really work. And it’s most effective if you start taking it right when you feel you may be coming down with something.
Fire Water Natural Cold and Flu Remedy
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Boil the water.
- Stir in the salt and cayenne powder. Stir until the salt and cayenne have dissolved into the water.
- Add the apple cider vinegar (we use raw apple cider vinegar).
- Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator and take 1 tablespoon every 15-20 minutes until you start to feel better. This remedy is more effective if started right when you feel you may be coming down with something.
Notes
Natural Cold and Flu Remedies
I found this recipe originally in Rachel Weaver’s Be Your Own Doctor book (I reviewed this book several years ago here).
It’s one of the main books we refer to whenever anyone gets sick at our house!
Rachel says to also take 1,000 mg of Vitamin C hourly, at the same time, to really get the best benefit.
You wouldn’t think fire water would have the best taste, but I have one child who absolutely loves it!
She drinks it regularly, especially during cold and flu season. I’m thankful she likes it so well, because she keeps us well stocked with it!
Most of my other children don’t care for the taste of fire water, but they’re usually willing to take it.
If you or your children are sensitive to spicy food, it really helps to eat a little bite of bread with the fire water and then take a drink of water.
We’ve got something going around right now, so we’re drinking lots of this!
Related Posts:
How to Stock Your Natural Medicine Cabinet
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and I’m not giving medical advice. I’m simply a mom sharing simple, natural things we like to use in our home.
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Thank you so much for the positive review, Felicia! I’m so glad it was helpful!
Does the Cayenne pepper hurt your stomach and cause acid indigestion?
I have not experienced that, but I suppose it might in someone with a sensitive stomach.
I made this for the first time, and it’s really good. My only concern is the amount of sodium. Is the whole teaspoon necessary or have you tried it with less? I know salt is good for the throat, but that’s almost a whole day’s worth of sodium for me. Do you typically need to use a whole batch in one day?
I’m glad you liked it! You could cut down the amount or eliminate the salt, since the active ingredients are really the apple cider vinegar and the cayenne. I don’t think I’ve ever used a whole batch in one day.
I have never done this before. Look super easy to do so I can have it on hand.
It’s fire cider. Fire water is an outdated term for whiskey/alcohol.
It says to take 1 tablespoon every 15-20 mins, but for how long?
We take it every 15-20 minutes until we start to feel better. This remedy is usually most effective if we begin taking it as soon as we start to feel like we’re coming down with something. We also take Vitamin C and drink plenty of water when trying to fight something off.
Why do you have to refrigerate it?
I don’t suppose you would have to, since it’s just vinegar and spices. We use natural apple cider vinegar with the mother, and we usually refrigerate it, but I don’t believe it’s required, since vinegar is a natural preservative.
Great post! ( I read and love them all, but am usually treadmilling while reading so don’t dare reply!)
Thanks for the recipe!
Love and Blessings on you,
Marybeth Ferrie
Thank you, Marybeth!
Definitely Going to have to try this out! We get way too many colds in the fall and winter! Thanks for the recipe
So glad it was helpful!
Hi. Sharing your great recipe at Two Chicks and a Mom/Party in Your PJs!
https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2018/02/party-in-your-pjs-196-and-crafty-tasty.html
Thanks so much for sharing, Donna!