A few times in my childhood, I recall being given a teaspoon of vinegar and honey when I was stuffed up or had a really wet cough. While it didn’t taste like cherry cough syrup from the drug store, it did work. This is very important.
While learning about herbal remedies, I have learned that this “cough” syrup is actually called an Oxymel. An oxymel is a combination of vinegar and honey. It is used to treat mucous build ups and congestion.
Oxymel can also be combined with various herbs and spices to aid it’s medicinal properties. Fire Cider is a popular version of an oxymel. Elderberry is also a common addition. The use of oxymel dates back to Ancient Egypt! It has been used for a whole variety of ailments from insomnia to coughs to ear aches.
With something so versatile, it’s a wonder why it isn’t something that is taught to use regularly.
One of the first herbal remedies I learned to make was a Thyme Oxymel. Thyme grows very well here and I find that it works almost as well as eucalyptus does for treating congestions and stuffed up noses.
To make a thyme infused oxymel, you will need a 16oz mason jar, a few handfuls of fresh thyme, good quality honey (I pick mine up from a local beekeeper) and organic apple cider vinegar.
Fill your mason jar with thyme about ¾ of the way full. You can eyeball this and add more or less depending on your preferences.
Pour half a cup of honey over the thyme. Fill the jar the rest of the way with your apple cider vinegar, leaving just enough head space. Seal your jar and give it a shake to incorporate the honey.
For two weeks, allow your oxymel to rest on your countertop, shaking the jar every now and then. This is a really fun thing to get your children involved with doing. Every time they notice the jar, ask them to give it a good shake!
When the two weeks are up, strain out the thyme and store your honey and vinegar infused mixture in the fridge. Take as needed when you begin to feel congestion happening.
Adults can take a tablespoon of an oxymel every hour while the symptoms last. For children over 12 months of age, I recommend a teaspoon.
Your oxymel should last in the fridge for up to a year. One of the best things about this elixir is that you can play with the ratios of vinegar and honey. A traditional oxymel will have more honey than vinegar but more modern recipes will call for more vinegar than honey.
Children are more easily persuaded to consume this medicine if there is more honey than vinegar.
You will find that this will be a great addition to your natural wellness cabinet and to your cough and cold season repertoire.
Herbal Thyme Oxymel
- A few sprigs of thyme, enough to fill the jar 3/4 of the way full.
- 1/2 cup of honey.
- 1 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar.
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