Hello again! Do you have some herbs in your garden .. perhaps an abundance of herbs? Perhaps you are wondering just WHAT to do with some and you don't want to let them sit there until 'frost'! When asked about my favourite herbal remedies, I realize that there are so many options and how an I truthfully answer that question! I love my herbal teas~ whether 'simples' or in blends. One can't beat tinctures for effectiveness and they are so easy to keep on hand in cases of being busy + on the go.. Both are valuable and a big part of my life. When it's harvest time, though, I admit that it is fun to play with other aspects of herbal medicine, as there is sometimes (happily, gratefully) an abundance of plant allies asking to be used + enjoyed! I've been busy this month so far making a few other concoctions and I thought it was time to again share "How to Make Herbal Oxymels" in case you have a moment to be enchanted with yet another type of herbal remedy!!
An oxymel is an herbal formulation made with a base of honey and vinegar, giving it a sweet/sour taste. Along with the healing properties of honey and vinegar, we add specific herbs to
create a healing preparation with a purpose, which can be very powerful.
Another super way to take the garden's bounty and preserve it in a tasty way? Step right up!!
How to make Herbal Oxymels:
In the words of Hippocrates: “You will find the drink, called oxymel, often very useful… for it promotes expectoration and freedom of breathing” (Hippocrates, 400 B.C.E.).
YES.. this delightful concoction has been around for a very long time! Historically, oxymel was recommended for coughs, congestion, gout, insomnia, as well as sore throats, ears, and backs.
Oxymels are like a shrub or a switchel fruity shrubs and gingery switchels can be made with any type of sweetener, oxymels are always made with honey along with vinegar and herbs.
The taste is both sweet and tart and herby.. too. We can use one herb 'solo' or make a combination! One of my first oxymels, years ago, was made with 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary + Thyme' !
This is the certainly an 'inspired' part of herbalism and can be so rewarding!
Basically, the "OXYMEL" is a combination of Apple Cider Vinegar + Raw honey combined with herbs. It can be made and used as a valuable herbal ally all year 'round.
The combinations are unlimited and can be a very tasty way to receive a dose of herbal medicine! There are also many ways to make OXYMELS.
Here are two methods:
Herbal Oxymel -- METHOD ONE:
You will need:
Dried herb of choice
1 part apple cider vinegar
1 part raw honey
- In a clean, dry pint jar, place enough dried herb to fill ¼ (or ⅓) of the way full.
- Cover the herbs with the vinegar and honey until the jar is full or slightly less than full (strive for a ratio of approximately 1:3, herbs to vinegar/honey mixture).
- Stir the mixture with a clean, dry spoon, screw on a tight plastic lid, then shake until well mixed.
- Store the jar in a dark, cool place and shake every couple days.
- Strain the mixture after about two weeks and store in a glass jar.
These ingredients are not specifically noted for a reason.. Just put the herbs into any clean jar to fill ¼ of the jar.
We want to cover the mixture with honey + vinegar. We want approximately 1 part herbs to 3 parts vinegar/honey.
It doesn't need to be exact. There are folks who make the vinegar/honey combination in 'equal parts' but others insist that the ratio of honey:vinegar be the classic, original formula.
This oxymel recipe uses 5 parts honey to 1 part vinegar, but many modern recipes will call for more of an equal balance between vinegar and honey. Feel free to play with the proportions depending on the focus of your formula and your taste palate.
Example of this recipe above with some specifics:
Holy Basil herb, dried
1 cup apple cider vinegar (ACV)
½ cup Raw honey
NOTE: Oxymels should be stored in glass jars with plastic lids as the vinegar in the mixture will corrode a metal lid. Alternatively, you can place a piece of parchment or wax paper between the jar and the lid to avoid the issue.
Herbal Oxymel -- METHOD TWO:
At its core, oxymels are simply an herbal extraction of apple cider vinegar and honey. In essence, the simplest way to make an oxymel is to combine an herb-infused vinegar and a honey herbal infusion you have previously made. Although not how I would make an oxymel normally, I have certainly done this when necessary and it's an easy and convenient method, especially when you have vinegar or honey infusions already on hand.
1 part herbal infused vinegar
1 part herbal infused honey
- Combine infused vinegar with infused honey in a sterilized glass jar.
- Mix well with a clean, non-metallic dry spoon until all is fully combined.
- Label and date the jar.It's ready now! Just make sure to store in a cool dry cupboard and use within 6 months.Maybe this doesn't make sense yet and you want to learn how to make infused vinegar and also infused honey. These tutorials will make this easy for you and you can get started!!
Fire Cider is one of the most famous DIY Herbal OXYMELS
What is Fire Cider? If you don't know, it's
This is definitely an annual event for me. I have made this powerhouse concoction ever since those fateful glorious days on Sage Mountain with Rosemary Gladstar.
I hope you'll join me in this autumn ritual which captivates many 1000s of herbalists and herb enthusiasts worldwide. I've written about it for years and would love
to share the recipe for Fire Cider with you -- Well.. the original one which I learned is but one of many many.
In fact Rosemary invited a few of us, a few years back, to come together in a celebration of this potent medicine and send in our special variations! I am honoured to say I was able to contribute in
this fantastic collection of amazing recipes! Here's a link to this delightful book, Fire Cider : 101 Zesty Recipes for Health Boosting remedies made with Apple Cider Vinegar
It's on sale right now for a great price !
Here's one of my own concoctions at home a while back: Join me! Make your own FIRE CIDER THIS YEAR !!!!
Fire Cider
The sky is the limit when making Herbal Oxymels !
Here are some of my own personal favourites:
Basil
Dandelion
Elderberry and Elderflower
Elecampane
Garlic
Holy Basil*
Oregano
Rosemary
Thyme
* Here's a Herbal Oxymel which I made last month. Can't wait to taste it!
Check out my Studio Botanica pinterest board here. Pin this one for later to remind you to make this asap!!
Have fun with your projects--Get busy and do leave a comment below or any questions -- Until next time, Carol xo
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