How To Make Herbal Oxymels + Fire Cider Recipe

Oxy-what? You are not only if you have never heard of Oxymels.

Despite the funny sounding name, this traditional folk medicine is a simple and wonderful way to get the health benefits of herbs. But you don’t have to stop there. Oxymels have found new life in some of today’s most popular cocktails. And they can be used in the kitchen to add a unique taste and twist to some of your favorite food and drink.

An oxymel is one sweetened vinegar extract. Oxymels were popular with many old herbalists because vinegar was an effective but much cheaper way to extract the medicinal properties of herbs than alcohol. Moreover, it made herbs, many bitter, to be more pleasant to take. Oxymels are easy to make and delicious. You can make them with a few herbs or a combination of herbs (dried or fresh). But keep in mind that fresh herbs will produce a lighter flavored oxymel than dried herbs.

Oxymels are traditionally made with apple cider vinegar and honey, which have their own soothing properties and health benefits. They are often made in 1: 3 and 1: 4 proportions, with 3 or 4 parts of vinegar and honey to 1 part of herb. But you don’t have to stick to this. Traditionally, Oxymel were often sweeter and made with much more honey. The exact ratio is up to you. Ultimately it is a matter of taste preference.

Oxymels are great for children and people who like to avoid alcohol. But because they taste great, everything will enjoy. Don’t be surprised if you notice that you have a whole collection of herb oxymels to play with.

And don’t forget, Oxymel make great gifts!

Oxymel

What you need:

• Herb or herbs of your choice (cutting and sieved is the best)
• Raw honey
• Apple cider vinegar (preferably raw)
• Glass pint pot with plastic lid
• Mousseline (if tense)

There are Two primary ways To make an oxymel. Both are easy and produce great oxymels; So it’s really just a matter of choice. You can put all the ingredients in one pot at the same time or you can penetrate the honey and the vinegar separately and then combine it.

Method 1

1. Add your herb or spice mixture of choice to your pot until it fills about ¼ or 1/3 of the pot.
2. Cover with the desired amount of vinegar and honey.
3. Cover with a lid and shake well mixed.
4. Save 2-4 weeks from direct sunlight; Sieve and rebottle.

Note: Vinegar can corrode metal so that it is best to use a plastic lid or to cover the pot with plastic wrap or parchment paper before you are sealed with a metal lid.

Method 2

Combine a soaked honey in your pot with a soaked vinegar in the desired ratio until you get the taste you want. Bottle and enjoy.

To learn how to make infused vinegar (link to the past message)

Dragon Fire Vinegar of Fire Cider

One of the most famous oxymels is a spicy immunimony that is known as Fire cider or Dragon Fire vinegar. It was made famous by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, but many have made their own versions of this favorite. The basic recipe for Vuurcider is full of immune supporting herbs such as ginger, garlic, onion and cayenne pepper. But it is not necessary to stop there. Feel free to add other tonic herbs to make your own version of this classic.

Basic ingredients:

• 1 small onion, peeled and minced meat
• 1 head of garlic, peeled and minced meat
• 1/2 cup of chopped ginger
• Horseradish (exactly amount is up to you)
• ½ cup of chopped parsley
• 1-5 tbsp. Cayenne (exactly amount is up to you)
• Raw honey

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a glass quartz pot and cover with the desired amount of honey and vinegar. Above is only a guide about where to start; You can adjust the amounts to your taste. Moreover, this is traditionally a spicy tonic, but feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and horseradish until you have the spice level you want.
2. Cover and save for 4 weeks.
3. Sift when you’re done and rebottle.
4. Take the spoon daily to keep your immune system healthy during the winter months or more often when you fight against something.

Brandcider is delicious and can also be used in the kitchen. I often make two varieties, an oxymel with honey and a vinegar without honey to use when cooking.

Possible additions:

• Beets or pomegranate: These give your cider a great food boost and make it a nice color.
• Astragalus carrot: Helps to support a healthy immune system
• Hawthorn Berries: Tonic herb good for the heart and blood circulation
• Turmeric: Research has demonstrated this common herb to support a healthy inflammatory balance and to support a healthy digestive system.
• Elderberries: Supporting a healthy immune system and relieves the symptoms of seasonal diseases.

And much more!

Erin Smith has been working with plants for 25 years and is a medical herbalist and ethnobotanist. She is the maker of Plant Passionate Living, an interactive program designed to help people find more health and vitality through a deeper relationship with plants. Erin is the founder and director of the Center for Integrative Botanical Studies.

Only for educational purposes. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or to sell a product.

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