Winter Oxymels

At the end of the growing season, I like to make sure that I have all the tinctures and dried herbs I need for use during the Winter months. I’ve already made my elderberry tincture as well as a new batch of nettle. But these are both alcohol-based and it’s nice to have tinctures on hand made from other menstruums.

Although I do like glycerites, alcohol tinctures reduced with glycerin similar to how syrups are made, oxymels provide another option that doesn’t involve using the stove. Instead they’re created in the same manner as other tinctures, using fresh or dried herb(s), raw honey, and apple cider vinegar. Next year, if my apple cider vinegar turns out well, I’ll use that to make my oxymels. Also, I ran out of last year’s honey from my apiary, so I’m forced to use another beekeeper’s local honey. At least it’s from our area.

My tulsi did well this year, so I’m making a simple oxymel with that wonderful adaptogenic herb. Ocimum sanctum is detoxifying, calms respiratory conditions, helps control blood sugar, and soothes inflammation. I placed some dried Tulsi in a 12-ounce canning jar and added honey and apple cider vinegar up to the top lip using a chopstick to stir the mixture. My honey wasn’t all that runny, so I estimated and added enough to fill the jar from a third to half-way full of honey, finishing out the rest with vinegar, so around a 50/50 mix.

An easier way would have been to take a measuring cup and add a half cup of each and stir it up making it far easier to pour into the jar. That way, I could have simply topped off the jar with apple cider vinegar after pouring the cup’s worth of menstruum into the jar. Next time, I’ll do it that way.

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I set aside the ring and lid that came with the jar because vinegar reacts with metal causing it to decompose. I found that out the hard way when a sage-infused jar of honey I had made looked like it had something on the lid and when taking a closer look, I discovered that the lid was decomposing. Of course, I remembered at the time that I actually knew what would happen, but I must have forgotten and used the canning lid anyway. Plastic lids can usually be found in the canning section of most grocery stores or online as well.

The second oxymel I’m making today is more complex. I’m using anise hyssop, nettle, lemon balm, sage, horehound, and marshmallow leaf, all herbs that soothe respiratory conditions. Anise hyssop tea alone opens respiratory passages almost immediately, at least in my experience, and its licorice flavor and scent are wonderful! Plus, my bees love anise hyssop!

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I chopped and blended the herbs together in a bowl and then added them to the 12-ounce canning jar I’m using. I like that size for tincturing although wide-mouth 8-ounce jars are easier to stir. Then I used the same approximate ratio (50/50) of honey to apple cider vinegar and poured both into the jar over the herbs.

I labeled each jar and put the date on each lid. I’ll gently shake each jar for 2-4 weeks which at that time I’ll strain the oxymels and return them to their jars, again securing them with the plastic lids to avoid any issues later on.

A teaspoon’s worth of oxymel every hour if respiratory symptoms are acute can be helpful otherwise, three times a day is typical. But if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or are under the care of a medical professional, please consult with your doctor/herbalist before using either the tulsi or winter oxymel blend.

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Again, herbal remedies don’t have to include alcohol as a menstruum. And for those people or children who either cannot tolerate alcohol or choose another option, oxymels make a terrific choice!

Until next time…

Herbal Blessings!

Disclaimer

The information above is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose any condition or prescribe any treatment. Please consult your medical/herbal professional for further advice regarding the use of herbs, particularly if you’re taking prescribed medications to avoid any unnecessary harmful interactions. Please seek treatment from a medical professional should symptoms occur that do not quickly resolve on their own. If you’re pregnant, please consult your medical/herbal professional before using any herbs or herbal preparations