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 sneaking up, I asked her if I could share the ingredients of her homemade fire cider, the spicy homeopathic tonic that helps thwart infections before they take you down. Whip up a batch the next time you’re in the kitchen.

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 4 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.