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All About Oxymels
A simple and delicious way to take your herbal supplements
Oxymels are a great addition to your herbal repository, combining the herbal potency of a tincture with nutritive vinegar and honey. You can make them with any herbal blend of your choosing from roots to leaves, to blossoms and even bark! The base (or "menstruum") is very simple--equal parts raw honey and apple cider vinegar. It is best you use raw local honey for the added health benefits. And make sure your apple cider vinegar has 'the mother' in it!
Key takeaways in this post:
- History of the oxymel
- How to make an oxymel
- Favorite Spearmint/Peppermint--Stinging Nettle--Raspberry Leaf oxymel recipe with video
- More farm favorite blends to try
Oxymels date back to ancient Greece and Rome, as well as during the Middle Ages when they were popularly used in folk medicine. In the 1980's, herbalist Rosemary Gladstar reintroduced these tonics as "Fire Ciders". (Fire ciders are basically a version of the oxymel.) As the mixture extracts, it turns into a syrup without any heat reduction.
The combination of Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey together hold an abundance of health properties that may help:
- metabolic function
- digestive health
- balance bacteria in your gut
- provide key essential antioxidants for your body
To make your very own Oxymel:
- First, get a clean jar. You can use any sized jar, but it may be easiest to start with a pint (16 oz) mason jar.
- Prep all your ingredients such as your dried herbs, the apple cider vinegar and honey.
- I recommend filling the jar first with both equal parts honey and apple cider vinegar. Then make sure you leave a bit of room for your herbs.
- My go-to herbal blend would have to be Spearmint, Stinging Nettle, and Raspberry Leaf (which is also a great tea blend on its own--see my blog post "Herbs for Hair, Skin, Hormones").
- Add your dried herbs, then close the lid, give it a good shake and store in out of direct sunlight for 1-2 months for maximum extraction.
- Make sure the lid on your mason jar is either a plastic lid or to put wax paper in between the glass and metal top and screw on with the band; the vinegar will corrode the metal lid.
Peppermint--Stinging Nettle--Raspberry Leaf Oxymel Recipe (as shown in video):
- Pint/16 oz sanitized mason jar, with plastic lid
- 6 fl ounces organic Apple Cider Vinegar with 'the mother'
- 6 fl ounces raw, local honey
- 1 heaping Tbs dried organic Peppermint
- 1 heaping Tbs dried organic Stinging Nettle
- 1 heaping Tbs dried organic Raspberry Leaf
Fill the jar with the vinegar, honey, and herbs. Label with date and ingredients. Shake to combine. Allow to macerate for 4-8 weeks, shaking regularly. When ready, strain and re-bottle. Take 1 tsp-1Tbs as needed.
Herbal Blends to Try:
Blend for Immunity
Blend for Digestive Health
Blend for Circulation & Brain Health
Give Oxymel making a try and see how wonderfully delicious they are and how beneficial they are for your health!
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.
