Cultured Guru Logo
Cultured Guru Logo
  • Start Here
  • RecipesWe love to create delicious recipes with gut health in mind. By using our recipes, you can easily create any dish knowing that it’s good for gut health! Our recipe blog also includes Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, and Paleo Recipes.
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Start Here
  • RecipesWe love to create delicious recipes with gut health in mind. By using our recipes, you can easily create any dish knowing that it’s good for gut health! Our recipe blog also includes Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, and Paleo Recipes.
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact
Vinegar & Tonics

Easy Homemade Oxymel Recipe With Any Herbs

Oxymel comes from the Greek word oxymeli, which translates to “acid and honey.” It is a blend of honey, vinegar, and herbs cherished for its health benefits.

Prep: 10 minutes
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe

RECIPE INDEX

|

Ferment | Vinegar & Tonics

Easy Homemade Oxymel Recipe With Any Herbs

Oxymel comes from the Greek word oxymeli, which translates to “acid and honey.” It is a blend of honey, vinegar, and herbs cherished for its health benefits.

What is Oxymel?

“Oxymel” derived from the Greek words “oxys” (sour) and “meli” (honey), reflects its fundamental ingredients. This harmonious blend of sweet honey and tart vinegar is a perfect medium for extracting and preserving the medicinal properties of various herbs.

Organic apple cider vinegar is high in acetic acid, making it great for preservation. Raw vinegar also contains “mother,” a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast made of proteins, enzymes, and beneficial microbes.

Raw honey has soothing properties and some antimicrobial properties. Honey has been used for centuries as a natural antibacterial agent. Also, the cool thing about honey is that it isn’t antimicrobial against beneficial microbes associated with fermentation, but it can be effective against specific pathogens.

Its unique composition and nutrient-rich profile also offer various health benefits. Raw honey contains antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols, which help protect your body from the harmful effects of free radicals.

Babies under one year of age should never be given raw honey. So no oxymels for the little ones.

Where is Oxymel From?

The history is as rich as the elixir itself. It originated in ancient Greece and Persia, where it was considered a gift from the gods.

Hippocrates, the famous ancient Greek physician, was a staunch advocate of oxymel and incorporated it into his medical practices. The elixir gained popularity throughout the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, where it was used for its healing properties and as a flavorful condiment. In old-timey England, oxymel was recommended for everything from gout to ear infections.

Oxymel’s prominence continued through the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, with various herbalists and healers extolling its virtues.

How to Make Oxymel

Creating your oxymel is a straightforward process. You can customize the recipe with herbal mixtures that fit your needs.

Start by filling your jar halfway with loosely packed herbs. Then top off the jar halfway with raw honey and fill the rest of the way with raw vinegar. I like apple cider vinegar best, but any strongly acidic (5% acidity) raw vinegar will do.

Herbal Oxymel Recipe Combinations

Here are my favorite herbal combinations:

  • Thyme, oregano, ginger, dried chaga mushroom (great for cold and flu)
  • Raw garlic, turmeric, and black pepper (great for sinus and respiratory infections)
  • Cranberry, sage, and ginger (digestive and urinary support)
  • Rosehip, tulsi, skullcap, and chamomile (for menstrual cramps)
thyme, oregano, ginger, and chaga on a cutting board, ready to be used for making oxymel.

What Does Oxymel Taste Like?

Oxymel boasts a distinct flavor profile that combines honey’s sweetness with vinegar’s tartness. Depending on the herbs used, it can have additional nuances. For example, a thyme-infused oxymel will carry herbal and earthy notes, while a ginger-infused version will have a spicy kick.

The balance of sweet and sour makes oxymel a delightful and complex flavor that adds depth to both sweet and savory dishes. Its versatility in the culinary world is one of its many charms.

oxymeel made with thyme, oregano, ginger, and chaga in a glass weck jar. The liquid in the jar is amber colored from the raw honey and apple cider vinegar used to make it.

How to Use It

Oxymel is quite versatile. Here are a few ways you can incorporate it into your daily life:

  1. Sip it Straight: Take a teaspoon straight or diluted in warm water to soothe a sore throat, boost your immune system, or aid digestion.
  2. Salad Dressing: Use it as a sweet, tangy salad dressing. Its unique flavor profile adds depth to your greens.
  3. Cocktail Mixer: Get creative and add it to cocktails or mocktails for a unique twist. Its sweet and sour notes pair well with various spirits and flavors.
  4. Marinade: Use it as a marinade for meats or vegetables. The acidity of the vinegar helps tenderize and flavor your dishes.
  5. As a Tonic: Take a spoonful daily as a general health tonic to support overall well-being.

How Long Does it Last? Storing Long Term

When stored properly, it has a relatively long shelf life. It can last up to a year or even longer when kept in a cool, dark place and tightly sealed. Over time, the flavor may change slightly, but it remains safe to consume. Just ensure you use quality vinegar with good acidity (5%).

Overall, this remarkable herbal concoction bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern wellness. With its rich history, ease of preparation, and many uses, it’s no wonder that oxymel continues to be cherished by those seeking natural remedies and culinary delights.

More Recipes to Try

  • Homemade Fire Cider Tonic with Turmeric and Ginger
  • Jalapeno Hot Honey Fermented Cranberries
  • How to Make Kombucha Vinegar
  • How to Make Vinegar from Scratch
Print
Vinegar & Tonics

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

Easy Homemade Oxymel Recipe With Any Herbs

In herbal remedies, there is a timeless elixir with roots dating back over 2,000 years, known as oxymel. Oxymel comes from the ancient Greek word oxymeli, which translates to “acid and honey.” It is a potent blend of honey, vinegar, and herbs cherished for its numerous health benefits and delightful taste for centuries.

  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 168 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • Herbs* (see notes)
  • Raw Honey
  • Raw Vinegar*

Instructions

  1. If using fresh herbs, rinse them well.
  2. Loosely pack the herbs into the jar. The jar should be about half full of herbs.
  3. Fill the jar about halfway with raw honey.
  4. Add the raw vinegar to fill the jar.
  5. Wipe the jar rim, cap the jar with a rust-proof solid lid, and shake until the honey is fully dissolved in the vinegar.
  6. Put the oxymel in a cool place out of direct sunlight to infuse for at least a week and up to 30 days.
  7. After infusing it to your liking, strain out the herbs with a fine mesh strainer. (I like to compost the spent herbs)
  8. Store the strained oxymel in a jar with a lid in a cool place out of direct sunlight. It will keep for 6 months (possibly longer). I suggest storing it in the fridge for a longer shelf life.
  9. See suggestions in the blog post above for how to use it.

Notes

  • You can use a various combination of herbs. Please see herbal combination suggestions in the body of the blog above this recipe card.
  • Vinegar should be 5% acidity for best results

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a 5-star review below if you loved it! Tag @cultured.guru on Instagram

 

Nutrition information is auto-calculated and estimated as close as possible. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary.

author avatar
Kaitlynn Fenley Author, Educator, Food Microbiologist
Kaitlynn is a food microbiologist and fermentation expert teaching people how to ferment foods and drinks at home.
See Full Bio
fermentation food microbiology sourdough sauerkraut fermenting at home fermented foods fermented drinks
social network icon social network icon social network icon social network icon

welcome!

hey i’m kaitlynn, i’m a microbiologist and together with my husband jon we are cultured guru.

more about us

let’s connect!

newest recipe

Tropical Pineapple Kombucha with Fresh or Bottled Juice
Fizzy Drinks

Tropical Pineapple Kombucha with Fresh or Bottled Juice

never miss a thing

learn more about microbes from a microbiologist
Loading

on pinterest

Instant Pot Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
Sourdough Smores Cookies
High Protein Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
Sourdough & Miso Chicolate Chip Cookies
Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Homemade Cottage Cheese

top rated recipes

How to Make Moroccan Preserved Lemons with Sea Salt
Fruits & Roots

How to Make Moroccan Preserved Lemons with Sea Salt

Slow Cooked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Potatoes and Carrots
Protein

Slow Cooked Pork Roast with Sauerkraut Potatoes and Carrots

Sparkling Golden Beet Kvass Made the Traditional Way
Fizzy Drinks

Sparkling Golden Beet Kvass Made the Traditional Way

learn more

Understand microbes and master fermentation with our online courses!

learn

rate and review
We would love to hear what you think!
Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Christine BP
    09|27|2023

    Easy to make and lovely to look at. I haven’t tasted it yet but I’ve had oxymel before and this time I know the ingredients. My honey and ginger came from local farmers. My acv is Braggs and the herbs came from my garden. What could be better!

    Reply
  2. Mayela
    12|13|2023

    Super easy to make and follow instructions. We let it sit for 30 days. It definitely got more tart and spicy. We did garlic and ginger. However, only down side both my husband and I took a ‘shot’ of it and felt a weird sensation in our diaphragm / not good feeling. Maybe we took too much or needed it diluted.

    Reply
  3. Mimi
    10|21|2024

    Hi! Thank you so much for the Recipe. Made some Oxymel last year following your suggestions and really enjoyed it during the fall months. I’m preparing a new batch and wondering if I can use dried eldeberrys. I Know you normally have to cook these before consumption.

    Reply
    1. Kaitlynn Fenley
      10|23|2024

      You should probably cook them first them use them in the oxymel!

      Reply
      1. Mimi
        10|23|2024

        Thank you so much. Un grand merci!! Cheers from Montréal!

        Reply

you may also like

Medicinal Foods Homemade Fire Cider Tonic with Turmeric and Ginger
Vinegar & Tonics View Recipe

Homemade Fire Cider Tonic with Turmeric and Ginger

Medicinal Foods My Easy Probiotic Pickled Garlic Recipe (only 3 ingredients)
Fermented Pickles View Recipe

My Easy Probiotic Pickled Garlic Recipe (only 3 ingredients)

Summer Harvest Homemade Tomato Vinegar Made With Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes
Vinegar & Tonics View Recipe

Homemade Tomato Vinegar Made With Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes

join us on insta

@cultured.guru

✨Google✨ “jalapeño sauerkraut” and you’ ✨Google✨ “jalapeño sauerkraut” and you’ll see my recipe, it’s the first one. 

#jalapeño #sauerkraut #fermentation
feeling anxious 👉 fermented pickles Recent res feeling anxious 👉 fermented pickles

Recent research has shown that shifts in GABA levels, both in the bloodstream and the brain, are closely linked to changes in gut bacteria. These changes play a significant role in our mental health.

Simply put, a higher proportion of GABA-producing microbes in the gut leads to better mental health and a much lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.

Interestingly, much of the GABA found in our bloodstream comes from both our gut microbiome and the food we eat. Studies have identified GABA-producing bacteria in the human gut, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides, as well as in fermented foods, such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, and Weisella. These microorganisms are now being researched for their potential as probiotic therapies to support mental health and combat neurodegenerative diseases.

While the use of fermented foods in mental health care shows promise, more clinical studies are needed to fully understand how these probiotics work and their true impact. Researchers are diving into how specific strains, their metabolites, and the overall composition of fermented foods can affect brain health.

But I think it’s no wonder I feel my best when I’m eating a variety of fermented foods every day!

#pickles #mustard #fermentation 

Sources 👉 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-024-00253-2
Peach preserves in kombucha was a success! Flavo Peach preserves in kombucha was a success! 

Flavoring a peach kombucha with peach preserves takes a little longer to carbonate than a secondary ferment with pure fruit juice. And that makes sense!

There’s is a little bit of available fermentable sugar from the peaches in the preserves. But mainly, the microbes have to first enzymatically breakdown the sucrose in the preserves into glucose and fructose, before the yeast can ferment the fructose into CO2 (aka the bubbles) and acids. 

I included directions for using bottled juice, fresh juice and preserves (or jam) in my summer peach kombucha recipe! Get the full recipe with all the options through the recipe index, linked in my bio. 🍑🫧

#peach #kombucha #fermentation
sourdough discard 🤝 cottage cheese combined tw sourdough discard 🤝 cottage cheese

combined two of the best fermented foods to make the best pancakes. And yes, you can ferment the batter overnight in the fridge for easier digestion. 

My recipe makes 15 pancakes and each serving of 3 pancakes had 17 grams of protein! 

Get the recipe from my recipe index, linked in my profile✨

#sourdough #cottagecheese #pancakes #fermentation
It can suppress overgrowth of Candida albicans, wh It can suppress overgrowth of Candida albicans, while boosting good bacteria in your gut! 

Roasting garlic increases beneficial garlic compounds like diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide — or DADS, for short. Both of these compounds have been studied for their anti-inflammatory (anti-cancer), antioxidant, and antifungal properties.

It’s definitely a sauerkraut you should keep in your rotation.

To get the recipe google “garlic sauerkraut.” and you’ll see mine it’s the first one.

Sources:
PMC8777027 (Diallyl Disulfide (DADS) Ameliorates Intestinal Candida albicansInfection by Modulating the Gut microbiota and Metabolites and Providing Intestinal Protection)

https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9100401 (diallyl disulfide (DADS) shows a substantial increase, with concentrations rising from 1.6 mg/g in non-fermented garlic to 4.8 mg/g in its fermented counterpart, suggesting enhanced bioactivity through fermentation)
✨Cottage Cheese Ice Cream✨with Brown Butter an ✨Cottage Cheese Ice Cream✨with Brown Butter and Vanilla

I know, I know, I’m making everything with cottage cheese right now. But how can I not? Cottage cheese is one of the most protein-rich fermented foods.

If you love ice cream and cheesecake-like flavor, you’ll love this recipe. it’s high in protein, requires only four simple ingredients, and does not require churning. So, you do not need an ice cream maker!

A half-cup serving of this ice cream has 12 grams of protein, making it a healthy and balanced sweet snack. Get the recipe from the recipe index linked in my profile. 

#cottagecheese #icecream
LEARN ABOUT MICROBES FROM A MICROBIOLoGIST
Loading

recipes

  • Sourdough
  • Sauerkraut
  • Yogurt & Kefir
  • Pickles
  • Sweets & Snacks

more

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Learn
  • Shop
  • Contact

social

  • TikTokVisit Cultured Guru TikTok Account
  • InstagramCultured Guru Instagram Account
  • PinterestVisit Cultured Guru’s Pinterest Account
  • FacebookVisit Cultured Guru’s Facebook page
  • Privacy & Terms
copyright

©2025

Cultured Guru

.

website by saevil row + MTT. all rights reserved.