Cover Image: Fire Cider!

Fire Cider!

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Member Reviews

Rosemary Gladstar is an icon in the world of herbal study and use. This book outlines many of her techniques, knowledge and descriptions for herbs and their healing effect. It focuses on making tonics for different ailments and general, overall health. Recipes are easy to follow and understand. This book is outstanding for anyone who has experience with herbs and for those who are new to the craft.

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I thought that the author really knew her stuff when she made this book. Any questions I had regarding how to make these concoctions was thoroughly answered! Her expertise made the book interesting.

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I love the cover but I didn’t enjoy the book. I thought it would be fun and spicy... it was okay. I love cider, but I was not thrilled with this

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"Fire Cider!" is everything an apple cider vinegar enthusiast could ever want. The book contains over 100 recipes for how to create Rosemary Gladstar's original Fire Cider recipe and other various iterations. The recipes are foolproof and easy to follow, ultimately making it a great addition to any health enthusiast's cookbook library.

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A really interesting book. I'd happily dip in and out of it. Some interesting recipes but not for the faint hearted.

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I did not expect all the recipes in this book to be fermented/left to sit for several weeks out in room temperature. I believe this was a failing in my understanding of what true fire cider is. I expected a mix of fermented and ready to use recipes that would range from spicy to hot and be for the novice and those wishing for hard core vinegar usage. I was disappointed in that respect because there is nothing that doesn’t need to marinade in a bottled concoction for at least a month.

With that said I also found the addition of cannabis, moonshine and burdock root (to certain recipes) to be highly questionable choices. But that is my personal opinion.

I am on the fence at the moment I am just not sure it’s worth going through this much trouble. I question the actual overall health benefits considering the ingredients and overall shelf time.

I originally harshly reviewed this book because I don't necessarily believe the labor intensive recipes are worth it. But there is a huge following for these recipes and I have decided to revise my rating in respect for the time effort and passion the author gives her craft. Just because it isn't for me doesn't mean it's a bad book on the subject.

For those looking for true herbal remedies you might like this book. I personally was not looking for this level of therapy but some of the recipes are intriguing. I am interested in adding apple cider vinegar to my diet so I may delve deeper into this approach.

I can say the recipes seem fairly expansive and if your interested in true fire cider you won’t be lacking in choices.

I did find an elderberry syrup recipe that can be used separately and will defiantly be trying that so even I found something to appreciate minus actual vinegar.

Most of the recipes are true to the name “fire” and all the recipes include hotter ingredients such as fresh horseradish, chili’s and even habanero. I am also impressed that this book has recipes from all over the country (although I have never heard of some of the ingredients)
I can’t say if those given ingredients would be difficult to find.

Although I have conflicting feelings about the book I do feel a fire cider enthusiast would probably be in fire cider heaven. I can’t definitively say because my only friends that use apple cider vinegar make their drinks daily with much simpler methods and ingredients.

I personally couldn’t find much I would use.

I did enjoy the history of how fire cider came to be and the varied techniques in creating these elixirs. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

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I have learbed so much reading this short book covered with so many tips on Apple cider vinegar my head was spinning! From tips to recipes and mixtures that benefit your body to facts that I am sure doctors even are not aware of!
I wish there was more books written as such!

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I've tried other people's fire cider, but I've never made it. This book has so many versions that anyone could be kept busy for quite a while trying them out.

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Fun graphics and great information are the stars of this book. A collection of 101 recipes, as well as various uses for apple cider vinegar, history, folk wisdom and more.

Although published under only one author, this book is rather a work of a community that shared their recipes to make this book possible. Each recipe includes a short bio, that gives credit to the author or keeper of that recipe. (I say, keeper because many times these recipes are actually authored by family members, like the proverbial grandma's secret recipe)

A very informative book that goes beyond listing recipes. With fun graphics and an energetic writing style, this book is a wonderful resource for any kitchen or collector's library.

It even includes a legal battle over the trademark of the name Fire Cider. Now a part of the colorful story of cider.

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I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which has not altered my opinion of the book.

I am not one who uses apple cider vinegar every day. However, through the years I have for sure found my own uses for it and do appreciate it quite a bit more than before. This book really shows how much can be done and what can be done with different recipes and versions of apple cider vinegar. I do highly recommend this one for those who are interested in DIY daily needs and health.

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This is a book I will read again!

Fun graphics brighten this history and use of apple cider vinegar. Some folk remedies I plan to try soon. The recipes had some ingredients that I would have to specifically search for and I may skip those.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

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Fire Cider! is a new herbal based recipe book utilizing apple cider vinegar by Rosemary Gladstar (& friends). Released 15th Oct 2019 by Storey, it's 204 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is an interesting book with some history, some folk wisdom, some chatty background (including some legal drama), and lots of recipes for making and using herbal tinctures and concoctions. The author has a chatty and inviting writing style which is accessible and fun.

The book itself has a logical layout: introductory chapters (including the beginnings of the legal drama) are followed by a discussion of apple cider vinegar and its properties, the origins of fire cider, and some uses, recipes for fire cider and variations, variations such as oxymels tonics and such, and cooking with fire cider. The book also includes short contributor bios, a metric conversion chart, and an index.

The recipes themselves are arranged with a title, the ingredients (given in American standard units) listed bullet style to the left of the sidebar, and step by step instructions. The ingredients are mostly familiar and easy to source at a grocery store, co-op, or farmer's market. There are many of the recipes which also include short bios or history about the contributors, which I generally found charming and entertaining. In fact, the entire book has a community feel with a lot of shared history and cooperation.

As a denouement to the above-mentioned legal trademark wrangling, on 13th Oct 2019, the US district court in Massachusetts, ruled in favor of the originators of fire cider, and they successfully defended their right to use the name and that it should remain generic and usable by the community.

The book is enjoyable, the recipes are varied and interesting. I also really enjoyed the art and graphics. They're informal and energetic. In fact, a lot of them remind me in a way of the graphics from that hippie icon from a bygone age, The Whole Earth Catalog.

Four stars, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to folks who would like to try apple cider vinegar in their daily routines.

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Do you know benefits of fire cider — a spicy blend of apple cider vinegar, onion, ginger, horseradish, garlic, and other immune-boosting herbs? I knew about apple cider vinegar benefits but not the others. Many healthful recipes and potential health remedies from best-selling author and popular herbalist Rosemary Gladstar . Very informative book.
Published October 15th 2019 by Storey Publishing, LLC

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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What an amazing resource! More fire cider recipes than I can possibly imagine ever trying, but it would be fun to give them each a whirl! The illustrations and beautiful and fit the vibe of the book so well. Highly recommend.

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First of all, congratulations to Rosemary Gladstar and the other herbalists for the end of the ridiculous legal battle that has been dragging on for years about the name Fire Cider. They won this month and I am so happy for them. For those who don't know, the fantastic and legendary herbalist Rosemary Gladstar has been teaching people how to make fire cider for literally decades and she coined the name for it. It has been a generic term for a well loved remedy that herbalists around the world have made since the late 1900's. Then a couple of people bottled their own recipe, filed a trademark for the name and then proceeded to file injunctions against anybody who used the name that those folks had been using for their products for years, a name this company had stolen from Rosemary and then sued her for using. This has dragged on for years and a judge has finally ruled that they had no right to copyright the term and it is once more fair use for all.

You sort of have to know that bit of a back story to appreciate why you'd want over a hundred recipes for fire cider and goodies made from fire cider. It also helps to know what a fantastic gift Rosemary Gladstar has been to the herbal community, and how fire cider is just a really fantastic remedy.

This book goes into the history of fire cider, a bit about the lawsuit, and the benefits of apple cider vinegar. It then goes into Rosemary's original recipe and dozens of others from herbalists around the country and the world. Some add ingredients like elderberries and hibiscus to the standard ingredients (horseradish, onions, citrus, etc.). The last chapter has recipes for salad dressings, cocktails and other goodies incorporating fire cider.

The book is vibrantly illustrated with colorful, happy art throughout. It's wacky, happy, wonderful and friendly, like Ms. Gladstar.

This is a book that celebrates the generosity and goodness of the global community of herbalists, especially that of Ms. Gladstar. It's as exuberant and colorful as she is. I plan to buy a copy for my kitchen counter. I have to admit that elderberry syrup is my standard remedy (along with some raw garlic on the side for some ailments). I'm an elderberry book author, after all, and elderberries generally serve me well all on their own. I can also make elderberry syrup up in under an hour, with no need to steep it for weeks like fire cider (incidentally, in my elderberry book I credit Rosemary Gladstar for her basic elderberry syrup recipe that sold me on elderberries all those years ago). That said, I kept meaning to make fire cider and now I'm determined to start experimenting and finally do it. I'm excited to try some of these recipes and eventually settle on my own (of course I'll include elderberries), probably with lots of foraged healthful plants since we gather lots of those.

I'm so glad Rosemary wrote this book, and so glad that common sense and the herbalist community prevailed in this law suit. This book is a great celebration of all that is good about herbal remedies and the folks who share them.

I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

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This a great collection of recipes, poems, prose, and essays celebrating the health benefits of "fire cider" and other vinegar-based home remedies and tonics. The "fire" comes from spicy herbs, aromatic vegetables, and peppers used to infuse the vinegar with flavor and enrich its health benefits. I loved the variety of blends and the backstories of the many contributors to this collection. If you're looking for recipes for a non-pharmaceutical pick-me-up, you'll find a treasure trove of options in this volume.
I requested and voluntarily read a complementary copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley. I offer my honest opinions in response.

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I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fire cider provides a lot of interesting recipes for fermented apple cider vinegar drinks that help with various health issues. I plan on trying several of these. I enjoyed the illustrations and history of apple cider. If you are interested in fermentation, apple cider, natural living, and home remedies, you will enjoy this book.

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This was a really neat book! It has a lot of really cool ideas on how to use apple cider vinegar. I definitely will try some in the future.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review

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Fire, cider, and a mix of vinegar, oh my!!! This is a fantastic reference guide, providing a history of Apple Cider Vinegar, the legal battles over trademarks, various anecdotes from the author and recipes throughout from herbalists everywhere. With cold and flu season coming up, this is an essential reference guide to a kitchen staple, ACV. My review is somewhat biased in that I love apple cider vinegar (ACV) and have used it for years as part of a healthy lifestyle, immune boosting ingredient, and remedy to many ailments. While this book focuses primarily on consumption of ACV, it has many applications including topically and as a spray.

“By its nature, herbal medicine defies ownership....” Kudos to the author and colleagues for standing up for the free use of ACV, regardless of terminology and other natural remedies being trademarked as proprietary. A big thank you to the herbalists who graciously contributed their recipes to this book! Herbal remedies have been around for thousands of years and they remain our most trusted and true, effective health and wellness pharmacy.

“Fire Cider” “Thieves” “Four Thieves” it does not matter the branding or trademarks. As the author makes very clear, and I can attest to in my own use of ACV, you can use ACV and make the various blends for yourself (and the author provides numerous options throughout the book to support your efforts). The branded products are solid, but, so too, are the raw ingredients themselves. Depending on the supplier and profit margin I would caution opting for cheaper products as they are more likely to contain fillers and refined/blended ingredients. The most potent herbs and blends are developed utilizing the freshest and purest raw materials. The closer to the source you get, expect the price to be reflective. Similarly, if you buy or grow your own raw ingredients expect the cost to be on a sliding scale comparable and conversely impacted by the quality or “grade” of the ingredients. Whether you choose to blend your own or buy from quality suppliers, ACV, at the core will serve you well in either scenario.

The author provides many great recipes utilizing ACV as a primary ingredient for your consumption however pay attention to chapter 1 covering the “folk lore” medicinal uses of ACV. I personally use ACV when I feel the onset of a stuffy nose or sore throat. If you appreciate the raw flavor of ACV a tablespoon taken straight will thin the mucus in your throat and alleviate some of the congestion. For those less akin to the taste, you can mix it with lemon juice to the same effect, or use as a gargle. ACV has long since been used as a stomach aid much like ginger, however if you have certain stomach conditions you should avoid ACV, check with your doctor first. It’s also a great topical treatment for bug bites, stings, rashes and sunburn. I do not buy over the counter items but typically alternate ACV and coconut oil for relief. ACV, in addition to being a powerful immune booster is loaded with antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. When paired with ginger, cayenne, turmeric, cloves, horseradish, lemon and others the results are incredible in maintaining overall health and wellness, avoiding illness, or shortening the length of colds, depending on when and how it is used.

If you are not familiar with the “Thieves blend” it is known for its immune boosting, infection fighting properties - highly recommend the blended herbs and ACV for its historical merit that remains relevant still today. Thieves dates back centuries old and used extensively during the Middle Ages to avoid catching the plague. This powerful herbal concoction was widely used by the undertakers and grave diggers working with the deceased and was commonly applied under the nose and on the check, similar to how one may use Vicks today. The derogatory term originates from thieves and grave robbers using the herbal mix to move among the sick and the dying during the peak of the plague in the 15th century without contracting the illness.

With Fall fast approaching, I am looking forward to trying out the Wild Cherry Bark Oxymel

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I am no stranger to natural remedies. I try to use them as much as possible in my home, and I have found many valuable resources to help me in doing that. That being said, this book is a little too much for me. I can appreciate the time spent in the first 30 pages talking about the history of using apple cider vinegar as a natural remedy for ailments. However, adding garden ingredients to it and then consuming it later seems a bit odd, but I can appreciate the value in adding multiple components of natural health care together. What I can’t do is understand the difference in each mixture’s benefits outside of the knowledge I had before reading this book. If a beginner in the natural remedy lifestyle were to read this they would make mixtures and not understand why one herb is chosen instead of another, as there is not a clear explanation of that. I feel that this book would have been better done as a chapter in a more complete natural lifestyle book.

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