For hundreds of years, different civilizations used their own versions of fire cider or herbal tonics to promote general well-being. These days, you can see people and “wellness gurus” alike making spicy fire cider on TikTok or Instagram. The claim is that it not only enhances immune function, but it is also a natural cold killer. 

What Is Fire Cider?

Fire cider is a spicy, homemade drink made with all-natural ingredients that help optimize immunity. The proponents of fire cider claim that when all of the ingredients work in unison, they create a super beverage that can help prevent you from getting sick. The term “fire cider” was coined by Rosemary Gladstar in 1970, when she published a recipe that used: 

• Raw apple cider vinegar
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Honey
• Horseradish root
• Onion
• Cayenne pepper

Since then, many people have published variations of the drink, with some including ingredients like:

• Elderberry
• Rosemary
• Turmeric
• Orange or lemon zest
• Jalapeño or habanero peppers

Once you have your recipe of choice, combine all of the ingredients (except honey) in a glass jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place. After the ingredients steep for one month, you strain the liquid through a cheesecloth and add honey to taste. That liquid is the fire cider, which sounds interesting, but how effective is it?

Are There Benefits? 

The predominant claims from people who love fire cider are that it helps fend off sickness and builds a healthy immune system. The unfortunate reality is that there is no scientifically-backed evidence stating that fire cider actually works. What is true is that the ingredients offer beneficial nutrients that can encourage healthy immune function. They do not, however, possess the abilities to prevent or cure illness. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of some of the ingredients. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Since the times of the Ancient Greeks, vinegar has been used to help treat sores and clean wounds. In recent years, apple cider vinegar has received a lot of attention because people claim that it can aid weight loss, improve digestion, enhance immunity, and more. Test tube studies found that apple cider vinegar effectively killed certain disease-causing yeast and bacteria. Other studies found that consuming apple cider vinegar can help lower total blood cholesterol and blood sugar. More research is needed in both regards, though. 

Ginger

This is a common spice used to help soothe a sore throat and an upset stomach. Researchers have studied ginger extensively because it is effective at relieving nausea, easing period cramps, relieving muscle and arthritis pain, and reducing inflammation. Although ginger is thought to enhance immune function, there is no scientific evidence that supports that. Some people also claim that it aids weight loss by promoting feelings of fullness. There is no evidence that supports that either. 

Hot Peppers

You can include cayenne pepper, jalapeños, or other spicy peppers in fire cider. Peppers are naturally rich in vitamin C and contain active compounds that may help you live longer, according to some research studies. Capsaicin is the active compound that is responsible for the heat in peppers, but it also exhibits impressive antimicrobial activity. Capsaicin can irritate the skin, so make sure to wash your hands after handling hot peppers, as you don’t want to touch your eyes or other sensitive areas. 

Garlic

If you know anything about garlic, you know that it has a lot of “antis,” such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer properties. Garlic can be hard to digest for certain people because it contains fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs). For this reason, garlic can occasionally cause cramping, bloating, and diarrhea in certain people.

Honey

Many people celebrate honey for its antimicrobial properties, and it has been used in healing practices since ancient times. Medical grade honey may help remedy minor wounds, diabetic ulcers, and burns. You do not find medical grade honey on your average grocery store shelf, though. The honey you have in your pantry will not kill or prevent the common cold. It is possible for honey to soothe a sore throat and ease some symptoms of respiratory infection.

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For centuries, people around the world have turned to a variety of herbs, tonics, and specialized drinks for health benefits. Tepache originated in Mexico and kombucha originated in northeastern China. So it’s safe to say that each culture has their own beneficial, gut-enhancing beverage. To this day, there is no shortage of drinks that promise better gut health. Some drinks have made this list due to clever marketing, but a growing body of research shines a light on the digestive benefits of certain beverages. With so many drinks that claim to support gut health, though, how can you know which one is really worth its salt? 

Why Should You Drink Gut-Healthy Drinks?

Your goal should always be to support the gut microbiome with prebiotics and probiotics. Your microbiome consists of good bacteria and unhealthy bacteria. The more good bacteria in the gut, the better your digestive and immune systems function. Researchers continue to learn all the ways the microbiome affects overall health via new studies. 

Gut-healthy drinks work to support the gut microbiome, but the benefits don’t stop there. The beverages in this article contain important vitamins and antioxidants that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Sure, probiotic supplements and foods have these benefits, but sometimes it is a little easier to reach for one of the following drinks. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

As a quick note, it’s imperative that you do not take a shot of apple cider vinegar. That can burn the throat and cause acid reflux. Instead, mix a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar in about 12 ounces of water. You can add a squeeze of lemon to mellow the intensity of the vinegar if you prefer, as lemon will only enhance the benefits. Apple cider vinegar, much like kefir or kombucha, is a fermented liquid. Make sure to purchase apple cider vinegar with “the mother,” which is a thick layer of bacteria and yeast that ferments the apple juice. It contains probiotics that encourage optimal gut health. Some research indicates that apple cider vinegar helps to ease bloating, while other research shows that it may worsen gastrointestinal symptoms. 

Green Tea

Green tea has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine, but it is a popular beverage in present day. There is a lot of research to substantiate green tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The gut breaks down green tea’s polyphenols to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Enjoy green tea hot or iced, as the temperature does not affect the benefits. What does affect the benefits, however, is what you add to it. If you add tons of sugar, milk, or syrups, you essentially cancel out the benefits. 

Ginger Tea

Ginger is a zesty spice that lends itself to a variety of different foods and beverages. Historically, it has been used in various medicinal applications because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help relieve nausea, soothe a sore throat, and promote stomach motility, which is the process the gut performs to digest food and liquids. Encouraging this process can ease symptoms of heartburn and bloating. All of that said, more research is still necessary to show ginger’s effect on gut health. The good news is that ginger and ginger tea are both widely available and affordable. You can boil ginger root on its own or steep the tea bags in hot water. It does have a kick, so feel free to sweeten it with raw agave or stevia.

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Before summer comes to an end, do yourself a favor and make this salad. It features one of summer’s most iconic produce items: the mighty watermelon. It is juicy, refreshing, sweet, and crispy. Just make sure that you use the watermelon before it gets too ripe and soft. You want crisp cubes for this salad! Plus, an overripe watermelon can have an unpleasant flavor, which will not go well with the blueberries, mint, and vinaigrette.

This is actually a great salad to make if you have leftover watermelon that you do not want to enjoy on its own. Perhaps you had a party and cut up an entire watermelon, but half of it went uneaten. That’s perfect because this recipe calls for eight cups of watermelon. You can choose to use less if you want to make a smaller salad. Add in the blueberries and freshly chopped mint and you are in business. In fact, you could enjoy that trio without dressing and be perfectly content, but the apple cider vinaigrette adds a savory element that makes this feel more like lunch and less like a breakfast side.

Don’t have blueberries? You can opt to use blackberries, or even strawberries, if you have them on hand. There is just a special relationship between mint and blueberries. It’s a combo that just seems to work over and over again. Let us know if you agree in the comments!

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A salad doesn’t have to have a long list of ingredients in order for it to be delicious. This simple cucumber apple salad contains exactly what the name says: cucumbers and apples. Toss the apple and cucumber cubes with a simple apple cider vinegar dressing and you are in business. It’s a great, light summer salad that you can serve at room temperature or chilled. Although we used Granny Smith apples, feel free to use whichever apple variety you enjoy. If you prefer a juicier texture and sweeter flavor from your apple, consider using Fuji or Honeycrisp varieties. If you strive for contrasting colors, use Red Delicious or Pink Lady apples.

You can never go wrong with a good combination, and that is exactly the case for cucumbers and apple. Ideally, try to dice the apple and cucumber into the same size cubes for uniformity and ease of enjoyment. Plus, cutting them the same size will create even texture throughout the salad. Pour the dressing over the cucumber and apple cubes and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, so that the flavors can get to know each other. That also gives the apples and cucumbers time to absorb the dressing, which is highly addictive and refreshing. We actually suggest that you keep all of the ingredients to this salad with you at all times because it

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If you want beautiful hair, you have to begin at the scalp. It all starts with a great foundation, without which you cannot have a secure structure. The homemade natural remedy in this article uses chamomile and apple cider vinegar to soothe irritation, reduce itchiness, and promote a healthy, balanced scalp. The dynamic duo exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and cleansing benefits that nourish the scalp. 

Chamomile For Scalp Health

If you find yourself scratching your head all the time and notice little flakes on your shoulders, your scalp might be the issue. Although dandruff could be the problem, an itchy scalp isn’t always indicative of dandruff. If dandruff is the cause, your scalp is likely dry and unhealthy with clogged pores. Research shows that chamomile contains antioxidants that naturally exfoliate the scalp, helping to get rid of buildup, such as hair products and dead skin cells. Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties also help to calm scalp irritation, but the antiseptic properties are great for nourishing the inflamed, dandruff-plagued scalp. 

If you have used chemical treatments, such as coloring, rebonding, or perming, it’s possible that your hair is damaged, at least to some degree. Hair damage is more than just split ends; it encompasses dry, coarse, brittle, and dull hair. Fortunately, chamomile helps to nourish the hair by adding moisture. It also delivers vitamins C, E, and other antioxidants to the hair, working to fight free radical damage from chemicals, pollution, and UV rays. Chamomile also promotes circulation to the scalp, which may encourage healthier hair growth. 

Apple Cider Vinegar For Scalp Health

More than just a condiment for salad ingredients, apple cider vinegar may help strengthen hair, enhance shine, and improve scalp health. Apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic, containing high amounts of acetic acid. The natural pH level of the hair ranges between 3.67 and 5.5, meaning that hair is slightly acidic. If your hair is dull, brittle, or frizzy, it is likely more alkaline. Due to apple cider vinegar’s low pH range between 2 and 3, it may help increase the hair and scalp’s acidity, which may encourage smoother, shinier, stronger hair. 

Apple cider vinegar’s antimicrobial nature may help kill several bacteria, including E. coli and Candida albicans. Research suggests that the acetic acid exhibits anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that may benefit scalp conditions, including pruritus and head lice. Just note that highly concentrated apple cider vinegar can damage the skin, especially sensitive skin. And finally, using apple cider vinegar to restore balance to the scalp is the main purpose. It’s possible for it to burn or irritate the skin, so be careful to dilute it and avoid contact with the eyes. If you get it in your eyes, be sure to quickly flush them with running water. 

Homemade Scalp Treatment

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chamomile tea (brewed and cooled)
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions: 

• First off, brew the chamomile tea by boiling water and steeping two chamomile tea bags in the water for five to 10 minutes. Once that time passes, remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature. 
• Pour the cooled chamomile tea into a large mixing bowl and then add the apple cider vinegar and optional lavender essential oil. Mix well to combine with a spoon or whisk. 
• Once prepared, you can apply the scalp treatment, but make sure to dampen your hair with water to allow the treatment to spread more easily. Ideally, pour the treatment into a spray bottle to allow for easier application. You can do the whole scalp, focusing on specific areas that need extra attention.
• After applying the treatment, massage into the scalp for a couple minutes and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water when done.

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Get ready to enjoy a vibrant marinated salad that features crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and sharp onions, creating a refreshing medley of flavors and textures in your mouth. Using your best knife skills, slice all of the ingredients to be uniform. If you want, you can slice the onions a little thinner than the other ingredients before combining them in a bowl. By marinating the ingredients in the oil, vinegar, herbs, and seasonings, you let their natural juices mingle, enhancing the overall freshness. The extra virgin olive oil adds a smooth richness, while the apple cider vinegar provides a tangy brightness that elevates the flavors.

To deepen the flavor profile, we added freshly chopped parsley and dill, but you can choose one or the other if you have an aversion to a particular herb. The herbs provide aromatic herbal notes that complement the vegetables beautifully. The addition of minced garlic introduces a pungent, savory layer that enhances the salad’s complexity, making each bite more flavorful and enticing. The combination of herbs and garlic transforms this simple salad into a fragrant, savory side dish suitable for any meal.

Marinating the vegetables allows the flavors to meld beautifully over time, resulting in a salad that is both tangy and herbaceous with a satisfying crunch. The acidity from the vinegar balances the richness of the olive oil, while the herbs and garlic provide a fresh, aromatic finish. This marinated cucumber, tomato, and onion salad is an effortless, wholesome dish ideal for picnics, barbecues, or as a cooling accompaniment to spicy or hearty meals.

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At Dherbs, we constantly preach the benefits of adhering to a plant-based diet, primarily because plant foods offer valuable nutritional benefits. It is true that fruits and vegetables can help reduce inflammation, improve immune function, boost brain health, etc. What may shock you is that some of these fruits and vegetables, despite being rich in nutrients, can cause some serious bloating. Lentils, some fruits, and various cruciferous vegetables, can be quite difficult for some people to digest.

The good news is that there are foods that can help counteract all that bloating. Stuff a whole bunch of those anti-bloat foods in a smoothie and enjoy it when you’re feeling like your pants won’t button properly. So what is in this smoothie that gives it the anti-bloating properties? Let’s detail the ingredients below:

• Ginger: A natural anti-inflammatory ingredient that also functions as a digestive aid. It works to relax the muscles in the digestive tract, which helps prevent bloating.
• Cucumber: The cucumber is made up of over 90% water, which not only aids your hydration efforts, but also helps fight bloating. Too often do people get bloated because they are not properly hydrated.
• Banana: Bananas are rich in potassium, which works to regulate sodium levels, an effort that prevents water retention. Too much sodium in the body can increase the risk of elevated blood pressure levels and bloating. That is why bananas and other potassium-rich foods help fight back against bloating.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Although this ingredient is optional and the smoothie will taste better without it, apple cider vinegar does help relieve bloating and gas. If you are serious about reducing that bloat, consider adding this to the smoothie.
• Coconut Water: This is the fresh stuff directly from a young Thai coconut. Like bananas, it is rich in potassium.

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You do not typically see cucumbers in a coleslaw recipe. Traditionally, you have green and purple cabbage, carrots, and potentially some other ingredients, such as apples, herbs, or nuts. This slaw is a slight departure from the traditional recipe, especially in regards to the dressing. A typical coleslaw dressing is mayonnaise-based, but you cannot have that while cleansing. Instead, we went a slightly Asian route and created a highly addictive, somewhat spicy ginger dressing. You lightly dress the slaw in the dressing, being careful not to douse the slaw in it. Doing so will cause the cucumbers to become a bit soggy.

If you don’t want to serve it as a slaw, you can simply cut the cucumber and carrots into thicker sticks to dip in the ginger dressing, omitting the cabbage because nobody dips shredded cabbage. Planning on making a bigger batch for a potluck or gathering? Leave the dressing on the side so that the cucumbers don’t get soggy.

Unlike traditional Asian dressings, this one calls for apple cider vinegar in place of rice vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has a bit more bite to it than rice vinegar, but that works with the naturally sweet coconut aminos. You’ll also notice that the dressing calls for avocado oil, not olive oil. The reason for this is because olive oil’s flavor can be a bit strong for an Asian-inspired dressing. Avocado oil has a more neutral flavor that doesn’t take away from the other ingredients.

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We love a kale salad, folks. That is especially true when pomegranate arils, pears, pecans, and and maple tahini dressing accompany nutritionally dense kale. You get a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors with varying textures. We are talking about sweet, tart, salty, nutty, and creamy and crunchy. And the maple tahini dressing ties everything together, making this the perfect kale salad for the holiday season.

This kale salad, as you can see in the picture, requires some serious chopping skills. Chopping the kale thinly helps break down the fibrous nature, which makes for a more enjoyable eating experience. Just make sure to remove the thick stems and massage the leaves prior to slicing the leaves thinly. That will really help to break down the fibrous texture. Additionally, the pears are cut into matchsticks, but you can cube them or slice them thinly. Whichever type of cut you prefer is the exactly the way to do it!

We love salads that have multiple textures and layers of flavor. What ties everything together, much like the rug in The Big Lebowski, is the creamy maple tahini dressing. The nutty tahini makes this dressing incredibly luxurious and you get a little zing from the apple cider vinegar and sweet hint of maple syrup. It is a dressing that you can enjoy not only on this salad, but on other salads also. If you find a salad that works with this dressing, be sure to reach out and lettuce (wink wink) know about it!

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A sore throat can be very uncomfortable and, more than anything, you want it to go away before the symptoms start to get worse. The primary symptoms of a sore throat are pain and irritation, especially when swallowing. When the immune system encounters bacteria or viruses, it inflames the mucous membranes in the throat. 

What Causes A Sore Throat?

A sore throat involves scratchiness, pain, or irritation in the throat. It is usually attributed to a viral infection, such as a cold or flu, and it usually resolves on its own. Strep throat, however, is a less common type of sore throat that requires treatment with antibiotics to prevent serious complications. Typically, bacterial infections do not cause sore throats as much as viral infections do. 

This article details eight natural remedies that may help reduce pain associated with sore throat. Possible remedies include honey, lemon water, peppermint tea, herbs, and more. Continue reading to see which remedy is best for you. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

The Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates prescribed a combo of honey and apple cider vinegar, oxymel, to help treat flu symptoms, including sore throat. Apple cider vinegar is a natural health tonic that is a common ingredient in various alternative medicinal remedies. The active ingredient is acetic acid, which works to fight bacteria. Drink one cup of warm water mixed with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Don’t just take shots of apple cider vinegar, as that can lead to acid reflux. 

Gargle With Salt Water

Gargling with salt water is a classic remedy for relieving sore throat pain. The salt works to pull water out of the throat tissues, which may help reduce swelling. It may also help to kill harmful microbes in the throat. Combine one cup of warm water with one teaspoon of salt and stir to dissolve before gargling. Try to gargle for 30 seconds once per hour. 

Licorice Root

Licorice root exhibits similar properties to aspirin in that it may help reduce sore throat pain. It also offers antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. At this time, there isn’t a lot of research about how licorice root may relieve sore throat pain. One older study, however, found that gargling with licorice water before surgery reduced the risk of getting a sore throat by 50%, compared to gargling with standard sugar water. 

Ginger Tea

Ginger is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory spice that works to soothe an upset stomach and relieve throat pain. Some laboratory studies found that ginger extract may kill certain viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory illnesses. Ginger may also reduce inflammation in tuberculosis patients. Although ginger tea is readily available in most grocery stores, you can easily make your own with boiling water, raw ginger root, a squeeze of lemon, and some honey for sweetness. 

Marshmallow Root

Throughout history, people have used extracts from the marshmallow plant to treat sore throats. The root contains mucilage, a gelatin-like substance that lubricates and coats the throat after you swallow it. According to research, lozenges containing marshmallow root were effective at soothing dry cough in animals. You can make marshmallow root-infused water by placing one ounce of marshmallow root in a cheesecloth inside a bottle with one liter of cold water. 

Honey

Typically used to sweeten herbal teas, honey may help soothe a sore throat on its own. Honey contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that may help combat viruses or bacteria. It is especially effective when you combine it with warm water and apple cider vinegar. For the best results, opt for raw organic honey or Manuka honey, as those are the purest forms. 

Coconut Oil

What is this popular skin and hair care ingredient doing on a list of ingredients that help remedy sore throat? Well, some studies suggest that coconut oil may fight infection and reduce inflammation in exposed areas. Coconut oil works to lubricate mucous membranes in the throat, which may provide mild relief from irritation. Add a spoonful of coconut oil to hot tea, soup, or put a spoonful in your mouth and allow it to melt and coat the throat. 

Lemon Water

Not only is lemon water a refreshing beverage, but it may also reduce throat pain that occurs during a cold or flu. Lemons are naturally rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which work to fight inflammation and oxidative stress. Lemon also helps to increase the amount of saliva that the body produces, which can help keep the throat lubricated. Maximize the benefits of lemon water by combining lemon with warm water and a little honey.

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