Class to share how to make traditional folk remedy

By Beth De BonaTimes-News Correspondent

Things are heating up ahead of an Oct. 22 workshop at the Hendersonville Community Co-op in making a winter tonic that's been used as a folk remedy for generations.

Herbalist June Ellen Bradley will teach the particulars of making "fire cider," explain how to make various styles of the traditional remedy and share tips for maintaining a strong immune system throughout the season of colder weather.

“Fire cider is just one of the many facets of your immune system care that should be thought of and cultivated during the winter months,” said Bradley, who lives in Greenville, S.C. "You can work on immune health by increasing your resistance by using it as a tonic."

Each participant will take home a small jar of cider, added Bradley, who is the writer behind the longstanding “Habitual Herbalist” column in the Co-op’s newsletter, The Organic Press. This is the first time she has taught a workshop at the Co-op in how to make fire cider.

“We’ve had a rich relationship with our Habitual Herbalist over the years — she has brought her wisdom and passion for food and wellness,” said Gretchen Schott Cummins, outreach coordinator at the Co-op. “We’re excited she’s addressing an important health benefit through elixirs you can make on your own.”

The workshop will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. in the co-op’s classroom building adjacent to the store.

A little goes a long way

The fire cider tonic has for its base apple cider vinegar, to which various additions are made; these often include ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper and horseradish. Doses are small: from a dropper full to a spoonful. The tonic can also be added to herbal tea with honey, to ease its bitter taste, said Bradley.

Though the tonic has not been proven to reduce the risk of getting sick, Bradley believes in its efficacy for boosting immunity, stimulating circulation, clearing congestion, aiding digestion and easing inflammation.

No one knows who originally formulated the first “fire” tonic, though Bradley added that herbalist Rosemary Gladstar (a mentor of Bradley’s) developed a recipe about 20 years ago. Even so, she said there’s plenty of room for individualizing your own recipe, if desired.

“There’s no hard and fast recipe — it’s open for interpretation,” said Bradley, who currently is a teacher for the South Carolina Herbal Society. She has also taught for many years at the Southeastern Women’s Herbal Conference and has co-taught at Gaia Herbs’ Medicines from the Earth Herb Symposium.

Bradley noted that a drink manufacturer has threatened the tonic’s status as a folk remedy by trademarking the name “fire cider,” though she believes that as a folk remedy, its formulation is meant to be shared.

“Every October I’m teaching about it how to make it,” she said.

Bradley will also share simple things to do to build immunity during cold and flu season, in addition to what to do at the first sign of feeling unwell and how to take care of yourself after you’ve been ill.

The daughter of a doctor, Bradley said she’s not against Western allopathic medicine — she thinks there’s a place for that — but believes we needn’t rush to the pharmacy every time we feel threatened by a cold or the flu.

“I just think as citizens we need to be more proactive and vote with our dollars for our health,” she said. “This includes buying organic food, supporting local farmers and sustainable practices that help the earth grow more healthy food.”

For her, teaching about natural remedies is also about teaching the art of cultivating: cultivating neighbors and cultivating healthy food and land, and sharing what we know with the next generation. "We have to start taking personal responsibility for our care and for the care of others, too," she said.

June Ellen Bradley's Fire Cider workshop is open to the public and costs $15 for Co-op owners and $20 for non-owners. To learn more and to register, call 828-693-0505 ext. 102 or visit hendersonville.coop/Community/Events/Fire-Cider-Making-Workshop-with-JE-Bradley.

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