Inner-Fire Water: A Fierce Ginger Brew to Awaken Heat and Calm Inflammation.
A Brew for When You Need the Element of Heat.
There are seasons in life, both in the world around us and inside our own bodies. Sometimes we need cooling, calming practices. Other times, we need to stoke the flame and bring heat back into a system that feels stagnant, sluggish, or even to help burn off excess inflammation.
This recipe - Inner-Fire Water - is a great way to work with food as medicine.
It’s made with one simple ingredient: ginger, a root that has been used for centuries as a warming, stimulating, and anti-inflammatory medicine. When boiled down into a strong infusion, it becomes a fiery drink that clears stagnation, opens circulation, and — in my experience — can make a visible difference in swelling and inflammation.
When I Discovered the Power of Inner-Fire Water
I had just had a nasty skateboarding accident — face-first onto the concrete. Both of my eyes swelled so much I couldn’t see out of one and the other was slowly closing all the way as well. I wasn’t using medications at the time, not even over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. But I knew I needed to act fast if I wanted to keep the swelling under control and still be able to see.
So I made the strongest ginger brew I could handle — a pot of liquid fire. It burned going down. It made me sweat nevertheless within a half-hour, something amazing happened: the swelling stopped progressing. One eye that had swollen shut opened just enough for me to see. The other, which I thought might close entirely, didn’t.
That was my first experience with the raw, elemental power of ginger — not as a gentle tea, but as medicine.
When to Use Inner-Fire Water
Like any element, fire must be used with balance.
Inner-Fire Water is a tool — an ally — not something to rely on every day. The Wim Hof Method teaches us to generate heat from within, and that skill is irreplaceable. But there are times when external fire can support our system:
Acute inflammation – After an injury or trauma, to help manage swelling naturally
Deep fatigue or sluggishness – When your body feels cold, stagnant, or depleted
Seasonal support – In the colder months or during your own “internal winter,” when you need an extra spark to bring balance
Post-practice replenishment – Occasionally, after deep cold exposure or taxing work, when your system feels truly depleted and needs support
This is a “feeing is understanding” practice: knowing when to build fire from within and when to invite it in from the outside. Use mindfully and feel into how it interacts with your body and your present situation. Check out my post introducing “Purelee” for additional support on ways to feel your way through your nutrition and food as medicine.
Inner-Fire Water (Medicinal Ginger Brew)
This is not tea — it’s a strong medicinal decoction of ginger. Traditionally, roots are simmered for a long time to draw out their full healing properties. This is one of those recipes you make when you need to stoke the fire within.
Ingredients (makes about 3–4 cups)
Fresh ginger root: 4–8 ounces (roughly 1 large “hand” of ginger sliced into thin rounds or rough chunks)
Filtered water: 1 quart (4 cups)
Optional: 1–2 teaspoons raw honey (added after brewing, for balance or taste)
Instructions
Prepare the ginger: Slice or chop the root. For an extra-strong brew, lightly crush the pieces with the back of a knife to release more oils.
Boil: Add ginger and water to a pot. Bring to a rolling boil.
Simmer: Once boiling, reduce to a low simmer, cover, and let it cook for 30–60 minutes. (A longer simmer gives a more fiery and medicinal quality. Aim for the longer side if you need a fierce brew for inflammation or recovery.)
Strain: Pour into a mug. Add honey if needed.
Sip slowly: Let the warmth work its way through your system.
Storage: Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove.
Strength Guide
Mild Medicine – 4 oz ginger / 1 quart water (daily immune and digestive support)
Strong Support – 6 oz ginger / 1 quart water (for circulation and moderate inflammation)
Fierce Brew – 8 oz ginger / 1 quart water (very fiery — for acute inflammation or deep stagnation)
Why Longer is Stronger
When ginger simmers for a long time, it undergoes a transformation:
Gingerols (the compounds in raw ginger) convert into shogaols, which are even more potent anti-inflammatories.
The heat releases oils and compounds that boost circulation, calm swelling, and awaken the digestive fire.
Longer simmering creates a thicker, more full-bodied brew — you’ll taste and feel the difference.
This is why Inner-Fire Water is most effective when simmered like a true herbal medicine, not steeped like a tea.
Fire as Ally, Not Crutch
Fire — whether from within or from what we consume — is powerful medicine. But it’s meant to be used intentionally.
The Wim Hof Method reminds us that we are capable of creating our own heat through breath, focus, and cold training. Inner-Fire Water is not a substitute for that — it’s a complement when your system truly needs outside support.
Use it wisely. Honor your body’s seasons. And learn when to let your inner fire do the work versus when to invite help from the elements.
Have you tried brewing your own Inner-Fire Water? Start mild and notice how your body responds — then experiment with making it stronger when you need it most.
And if you’re curious about building your own inner fire, join me for one of my Wim Hof Method workshops — we’ll explore how to work with the elements to create strength, balance, and resilience.
