How To Make an Herbal Oxymel

An Ancient Preparation Worth Reviving

The oxymel, a blend of honey and vinegar infused with herbs, dates back to classical Greek medicine. It makes pungent or bitter herbs pleasant to take and keeps well, which is why it has never truly gone out of use.

What You Need

• Raw apple cider vinegar
• Raw honey
• Your chosen dried or fresh herbs
• A clean glass jar with a non-metal lid, since vinegar corrodes metal

A Simple Method

1. **Fill loosely.** Add your herbs to the jar, roughly one quarter full for dried herbs or one half full for fresh. 2. **Add vinegar and honey.** A common starting ratio is equal parts vinegar and honey, poured over the herbs until the jar is full. 3. **Cap and shake.** Use a non-metal lid or place parchment under a metal one. 4. **Infuse.** Keep it in a cool, dark place for two to four weeks, shaking every few days. 5. **Strain.** Press out the herbs and bottle the liquid.

Herb Pairings To Try

• Thyme and sage for a warming winter oxymel
• Elderberry, cooked first, with ginger for a cold-season tonic
• Rosemary and lemon balm for a bright, uplifting blend

Safety and Storage

Never give honey to infants under one year. Use properly identified herbs only, and if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition, check herbs for suitability first. Stored in the fridge, an oxymel keeps for several months.

*This article is educational and is not medical advice.*