Are you new to herbal medicine and want to learn a simple yet effective remedy for a sore throat and cough? Use this recipe to make a basic, elderberry, spicy or herb oxymel, and enjoy the benefits of natural healing through the delicious power of vinegar and honey.
It’s important to note that I am not a certified medical practitioner. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat, but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your healthcare professional before introducing new herbal and natural remedies into your wellness routine.
Why You’ll Love Oxymels
If you want to start using herbal medicine at home, learning how to boost your immune system is a great preventative foundation. However, illnesses do happen, so knowing how to shorten the cold or flu and treating them with natural cold remedies is also a critical part of anyone’s herbalism journey.
- Accessible Ingredients - If you keep a well-stocked pantry, chances are you already have the ingredients on hand, especially if you regularly make herbal-infused honey. An oxymel is an ancient Greek and Persian cough remedy (oxy = acid; mel = honey). In its simplest form, it’s just equal parts vinegar and honey.
- Customizable - While an oxymel is effective in its most basic form, you can make it even more medicinal by using the different variations listed below.
- Medicinal and Culinary - You can use oxymels both medicinally and for culinary purposes. As a culinary preparation, try mixing the herbal or spicy oxymel with equal parts olive oil to make a delicious salad dressing or chicken marinade. You can also mix the classic and elderberry oxymels with sparkling water or homemade kombucha for a refreshing summer drink.
Oxymel Health Benefits
Oxymels are more than just a delicious mix of sweet and sour flavors. The combination of vinegar and honey offers a good source of health benefits and works double duty as a preservative to keep your oxymel shelf stable.
Additionally, the acetic acid in the vinegar draws out the healing properties of any herbs or spices you add to your customized oxymel.
Here's why oxymels are so effective:
- Cough and Sore Throat Relief - Honey's antimicrobial properties soothe sore throats. The addition of herbs like hyssop or thyme is great for soothing a cough.
- Immune Support - Antioxidants found in foods like raw honey can help boost the immune system.
- Digestive Aid - Vinegar's acidity helps with digestion, and honey may calm inflammation in the gut.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects - Polyphenols found in foods like raw apple cider vinegar work to reduce inflammation, improving your overall health.
Oxymel vs. Tinctures and Fire Cider
When it comes to herbal medicine, it’s important to know that oxymels, tinctures and fire cider are different. All are effective and utilize plant extracts, but they differ in solvents and applications.
| Remedy Name | Key Features | Application |
| Oxymel | Honey and vinegar's health benefits are combined to make a palatable sweet-and-sour remedy. Vinegar's acetic acid draws out the medicinal properties of optional herbs and spices. | Oxymels are used to treat a sore throat and cough associated with the common cold. They can additionally be used for culinary preparations. |
| Tinctures | Tinctures rely on alcohol to extract powerful plant compounds and to provide a long shelf-life. | Tinctures are best used for people who can tolerate alcohol and when a stronger herbal dosage is needed. |
| Fire Cider | Fire cider was introduced by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in the 1970s. It blends strong, warming ingredients like horseradish, garlic, and chili peppers for extra heat. | The warming effect of fire cider focuses on increasing circulation for better immune support. |
Ingredients Needed
- Vinegar - Raw apple cider vinegar with the mother is best.
- Raw Honey - Pasteurization kills many of the medicinal benefits mentioned above, so choosing raw honey is best.
- Optional Ingredients - You can make a basic oxymel with just vinegar and honey, or you can choose from one of the variations below.
Recipe Variations
A basic oxymel made with equal parts vinegar and honey is very effective. However, depending on your specific needs, customizing your oxymel can increase its medicinal benefits. Here are a few variations to consider.
- Herbal Oxymel - Add cinnamon sticks, lemon zest, or mint to your vinegar. Seal the jar, shake the mixture daily, and allow to sit for 2 weeks. Strain, add the honey, and mix well. Use as a tonic or in teas.
- Elderberry Oxymel - Steep elderberries in hot water for 10 minutes, then strain. Mix the strained elderberry liquid with equal parts honey and vinegar. Use as a tonic or in sparkling drinks.
- Soothing Oxymel - Combine dried herbs such as thyme and hyssop (or rosemary) with vinegar. Seal the jar, shake the mixture daily, and allow to sit for 2 weeks. Strain, add the honey, and mix well. Use as a tonic to soothe a sore throat and ease a cough.
- Spicy Oxymel - Combine ½ cup diced ginger and ¼ cup red pepper flakes to the vinegar. Seal the jar, shake the mixture daily, and allow to sit for 2 weeks. Strain, add the honey, and mix well. Use as a tonic to boost circulation and support the immune system.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: If using an optional variation listed above, prepare the vinegar accordingly. Then, using a double boiler on low heat, gently warm the honey and vinegar and stir to combine. Use as low of heat as possible (under 104°F) to preserve the active enzymes of your raw honey.
Step 2: Transfer your oxymel to a clean glass jar, and allow it to cool completely before sealing with a lid. To soothe a sore throat and ease a cough, take one teaspoon at a time, multiple times daily until symptoms are gone.
Storing Your Oxymel
Because both vinegar and honey are shelf-stable, a basic oxymel can sit on your counter (or in your pantry) almost indefinitely. Just be sure it’s in a sealed container, though, because it’s definitely an attractant to fruit flies.
When using dried herbs for your oxymel variations, you can store your oxymel at room temperature for up to a year. If you prepare your oxymel with fresh herbs, keep it in the refrigerator and use it within a month.
The Herbal Medicine Cabinet
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- Understanding a few herbs really well is much more effective than knowing a little bit about many herbs.
- A few simple, common herbs that you can easily grow or source can be much more effective than a lot of exotic, expensive ones.
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FAQ
You can use an oxymel in both medicinal and culinary applications. For medicinal purposes, oxymels can soothe a sore throat, aid in immune and digestive support.
Oxymels use vinegar, and tinctures use alcohol to extract medicinal properties from herbs. You can use oxymels daily for general health, while you should use tinctures if you can tolerate alcohol and you need a stronger herbal dose.
If you are using fresh herbs in your oxymel, then refrigeration is recommended. However, a basic oxymel (and oxymels made with dried herbs) can be stored at room temperature.
For general wellness, use oxymels daily in culinary preparations such as salad dressings, and seltzer or kombucha beverages. To soothe a sore throat and ease a cough, take one teaspoon at a time, multiple times daily until symptoms completely subside.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
- Herb Infused Honey Recipe
- Best Tea for a Cough
- How to Start Using Herbal Medicine at Home
- How to Make a Tincture
- Medicinal Uses for Roses
- Soothing Natural Cold Remedies for Quick Relief
- Herb Capsules – How to Make Your Own
- Elderberry Benefits to Shorten the Cold or Flu
- DIY Garlic Salve for a Cough (and more!)
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How to Make an Oxymel at Home
Equipment
- Double Boiler or a saucepan with a heat-proof bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Glass Jar w/Lid A glass jar with a plastic lid is ideal. Vinegar can react with a metal lid causing it to rust.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Honey
- 1 Cup Vinegar
- Optional Ingredients You can choose from the variations listed in the recipe notes.
Instructions
- If using an optional variation listed in the recipe notes below, prepare the vinegar accordingly.
- Using a double boiler on low heat, gently warm the honey and vinegar and stir to combine. Use as low of heat as possible (under 104°F) to preserve the active enzymes of your raw honey.
- Transfer your oxymel to a clean glass jar, and allow it to cool completely before sealing with a lid.
- To soothe a sore throat and ease a cough, take one teaspoon at a time, multiple times daily until symptoms are gone.
Notes
- Herbal Oxymel – Add cinnamon sticks, lemon zest, or mint to your vinegar. Seal the jar, shake the mixture daily, and allow to sit for 2 weeks. Strain, add the honey, and mix well. Use as a tonic or in teas.
- Elderberry Oxymel – Steep elderberries in hot water for 10 minutes, then strain. Mix the strained elderberry liquid with equal parts honey and vinegar. Use as a tonic or in sparkling drinks.
- Soothing Oxymel – Combine dried herbs such as thyme and hyssop (or rosemary) with vinegar. Seal the jar, shake the mixture daily, and allow to sit for 2 weeks. Strain, add the honey, and mix well. Use as a tonic to soothe a sore throat and ease a cough.
- Spicy Oxymel – Combine ½ cup diced ginger and ¼ cup red pepper flakes with the vinegar. Seal the jar, shake the mixture daily, and allow it to sit for 2 weeks. Strain, add the honey, and mix well. Use as a tonic to boost circulation and support the immune system.
