Seasonal allergies, coughs, runny noses, and flu seem to be sticking around a lot longer this year! If you are having trouble keeping your immune system healthy and stable, try a good Fire Cider recipe to keep in your kitchen for the whole family. Fire Cider has been used traditionally for centuries to drive out colds and fight infection, using many different hot and spicy Western herbs steeped in vinegar (or alcohol). Usually you would make this at the beginning of the cold and flu season, but better late then never. Rosemary Gladstar can show you how to make a beautiful and effective Fire Cider to ward off colds and flus in the video above, or try this classic recipe:

Fire Cider:

• 1 part onion, chopped
• 1 part grated horseradish root
• 1 part ginger, peeled and diced 
• 1 part garlic, chopped
• 2-3 cayenne peppers
• Enough apple cider to cover the herbs
• Honey to taste

Combine all herb and pepper ingredients into a large mason jar with a tight lid. It should come to about halfway full. Cover the herbs with vinegar and allow to steep for up to 1 month. After the steeping process, strain the liquid from the mixture and discard the herbs. Mix in a few tablespoons of local honey to the strained Fire Cider and store in the fridge (you can use the same jar if needed). It should taste spicy, and bit sweet.