HAWLEY, PA — A recipe and demonstration on making fire cider was presented to the Country Gardeners on September 3 by Jeanine Davis, herbalist and wellness educator. 

Davis holds workshops in the area to teach natural remedies using high-quality herbal products. Her workshops are welcoming, practical and rooted in a passion for handcrafted, nourishing self-care. 

Rosemary Gladstar, known as the “godmother of herbalism,” created the original fire cider recipe in the 1970s, and Davis is currently doing an apprenticeship with her. 

Fire cider is a traditional herbal tonic made with raw apple cider vinegar, herbs, vegetables and honey. This zesty, immune-boosting remedy is known for its ability to support wellness, soothe sniffles, and add flavor to salad dressings or marinades. 

If taken on a regular basis, it can prevent or lessen the effects of flus and colds. Davis recommended taking a teaspoon or tablespoon daily (drink a glass of water afterward, or put the fire cider in a glass of water) as a wellness tonic, since the herbs used in it are good at supporting your immune system. If you feel a cold coming on, take a spoonful four to five times for the next two days to stop the cold from forming. Even if a cold takes hold, continue taking the tonic to shorten the duration. 

Davis said fire cider is a “no-recipe” recipe and there is no wrong way to make it. She stressed that you can be creative and not worry about measuring anything (i.e. using a small onion versus a large onion). She has experimented with adding different ingredients, such as turmeric, and orange slices instead of lemon. 

To make fire cider, you will need a cutting board and knife for cutting vegetables, and a glass jar (holding at least 24 ounces) with a lid. Use a plastic lid; if you use a metal one, you will need to place a layer of wax paper between it and the jar. The metal of the lid will corrode from the vinegar.

In 2012, a company tried to trademark fire cider and use it as a brand name, but the courts ruled the name is generic, and that no single company owns it. It is available for sale at farmers’ markets. 

“Herbalism is for the people,” Davis said. “It’s about making things accessible and being able to make healthy things for our families.” 

To learn more about Jeanine Davis’s workshops, contact her at jeanine@jldavisdesign.com. 

The Country Gardeners meet on the first Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. at the Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center, 126 Lamberton Lane, Hawley. The next presentation will be on October 1 at 1 p.m., and the topic will be vertical gardening, presented by J. A. Oszvart, a backyard gardening enthusiast. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.