As a wellness enthusiast, I have been known to dabble in a wide range of experimental remedies — with varying results. But invariably, whenever my medicinal herbalist, Daniela Turley, suggests I try something, I leap in with abandon and end up feeling better for it.

Since cold and flu season is upon us, I asked her if I could share the ingredients of her homemade fire cider recipe, the spicy homeopathic tonic that helps boost the immune system naturally and thwart infections before they take you down. Whip up a batch the next time you’re in the kitchen.

Fire Cider Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 chili peppers of any degree of heat
• 2 hot chili peppers
• 1/2 cup of grated fresh horseradish
• 1/2 cup garlic
• 1/2 cup of fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup of fresh turmeric
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 bunch of thyme
• 1 red onion, skin removed
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 lemons, juice and zest
• Apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. Chop all fresh ingredients and add to a clean jar with cinnamon stick and lemon juice and zest.
2. Cover with apple cider vinegar and leave in a cool, dark place for four weeks.
3. Strain and add raw honey to taste.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to one year.
5. Drink two teaspoons of fire cider at the first sign of infection — and take until symptoms subside. Or, take daily as a preventative measure.