What is an Oxymel?? I had not heard of it until recently and then within two weeks I heard it from a couple of different sources. 🙂
“An Oxymel is a preparation of honey and vinegar. Oxymels were once popular as cordials, both in Middle Eastern and European traditions. They are particularly good for colds and flu remedies. Honey can be added to an herb-infused vinegar, or an infused honey can be used as well.” … ‘Backyard Medicine’ Julie Bruton-Seal & Matthew Seal
I am growing Lemon Balm in a pot in my backyard. I have been drying some of the leaves and using it for herbal tea. It was growing abundantly in June and I was looking for more ways of using it. I came across a video on YouTube where a herbalist was making an Oxymel with Lemon Balm here. It was the perfect way for me to harvest and use a bunch of it. I have since re-potted some of the remaining sprigs of lemon balm and it is growing nicely again.
In my Oxymel I used raw honey, raw Apple Cider Vinegar and a bunch of fresh lemon balm leaves. I was surprised to be able to pick up some raw honey from Lidl. I had some Apple Cider Vinegar in stock. I believe you can use other types of vinegar but why not go for the best quality.
The how-to:
Take a clean (steralized) glass jar and add honey to the bottom of the glass. It doesn’t have to be raw honey but for the ‘most nutritional and most beneficial results’ it is best to use the best ingredients. Pick, clean, pat dry and shred some fresh lemon balm or other leafy herb. Add this to the jar on top of the honey. Next add your Apple Cider Vinegar to fill the jar or, at least, cover the raw plant matter. Put the lid on the jar and leave it to infuse for at least 4 weeks. This should be in a dry area and away from direct sunlight. Don’t forget to date it!!
When your infusion time is up, you can simply drain the contents of the jar through a sieve into a pouring jug. I re-used a sterilized olive oil bottle (dark green glass) to store the Oxymel and just re-labelled it accordingly. You can add the drained plant matter to your compost heap. Some people suggest using it in soups straight away or storing it in the freezer for later use. This time ’round it went to the compost. 🙂
So I made up this Oxymel and I couldn’t wait to try it. Be warned….. it is a patience game when you are first making these products but the results are well worth the wait. I am so delighted with the result – it is very tasty and I’m using it regularly.
Oxymel can be used on salads and some other dishes where you might add a dressing. I also understand that it can be used in place of straight ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ as an aid to digestion. I have tried it and can say for sure that it is much more palatable. It has the same burning sensation going from your gullet to your stomach, but the normally bitter taste in your mouth is by-passed and replaced with a potent sweet but tart flavour.
I have also tried adding a tablespoon of the Oxymel to a glass of cold water as traditionally it was used as a cordial. I am not that person that drinks a lot of water but I did try it out. It sure does add a pleasant taste to a glass of water and should I decide to be more of a regular consumer of water, I wouldn’t object 🙂
For me the lemon balm flavour is not detectable but I know it is in there and I’m trusting it has added it’s healing properties to this powerful mix.
Apple Cider Vinegar alone has many known health benefits. Raw honey alone has many known health benefits. Lemon balm alone has many know health benefits. I’m glad to have found a way of combing all three in a usable and very tasty way. 🙂
I feel I will be armed with yet another preventive elixir for winter 2023/2024.
Anne ♥
Busy Hands Anne 