It’s here folks. As much as we try to avoid it, cold and flu season comes around every year. This is especially true if you have little ones in school or daycare. The drippy noses, the sneezing and coughing all over every object within spraying distance. It is inevitable that they will bring something home and share with the whole household.

For many years while driving a school bus I was exposed to everything that was making the rounds. However I was exposed gradually. One student would walk by me with germ “a” and my immune system would grab it. Then another student would walk by sharing germ “b” and once again my immune system went to work.

I am lucky. I had built a strong immune system. It took months of fighting off one virus after another before my body would wave the white flag and give in. I would find myself laying achy and sniffling in bed, usually during a school vacation.

It was not until I began learning about herbs and essential oils that I became proactive with immune regulating and boosting teas and tinctures at the start of the season. With my advancing age, my busy life, and my not getting enough rest I started to notice my body needed some extra help. This is where Elderberry and a concoction known as Fire Cider^* came into my life.

Almost everyone has heard of Elderberry. It became very controversial in 2020. People were told that it should not be used if you had the virus. I will not go into detail regarding the hype surrounding that. I’m sure there are enough things available online to read. What I will say is, everyone’s body is different.

Elderberry provides immune support. A good way to look at it is, it can help your body help itself. However; if you have a health condition that effects your immune system directly, you should be very careful with ANY herbs, foods, medications, etc… that can trigger an immune response. We do not want the immune system fighting itself or other body systems.

Fire Cider is a mix of ingredients that is left to sit and blend together to form a very strong immune booster. There are many recipes out there floating around. The ingredients are known for their high vitamin, mineral, and antiviral qualities. Everything gets sliced or diced and added to a jar. Raw organic apple cider vinegar is then poured over the ingredients to cover, and it is put aside for 4-6 weeks, depending on who you talk to.

I will check it every day for the first couple of days to make sure that all the ingredients are covered with the ACV and it has not overflowed.

At the end of the wait time, it is strained, bottled, and ready to use.

I have begun taking a tablespoon of a previous batch daily. I will share the concoction with anyone who wishes to try it. I feel that is much better than sharing the germs.

There are many varieties of cider out there. I have made mine with elderberries and like this batch, without. My first batches didn’t contain as many ingredients as they do now. Back then I was afraid I would do something wrong so I followed recipes. Now I throw as many anti-viral, antimicrobial, high vitamin and mineral containing ingredients as I have. The current batch contains:

Red onion
Lemons
Cranberries
Horseradish
Ginger
Cayenne peppers
Cloves
Oregano
Thyme
Raw, Unfiltered, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

This is a staple in my herbal apothecary. I will not be caught without it during cold and flu season. What is your go to during the season of giving?

*Fire Cider is a name given to this tonic by Rosemary Gladstar. I have read that it is a trademarked name and cannot be used. I have also read that Rosemary, who is known as the godmother of herbalism, says use the name freely. I do not know which is correct. If I ever have the opportunity to meet Rosemary, I will ask her.