With cold and flu season approaching, I’m excited to share this simple oxymel recipe made with honey, apple cider vinegar, and healing herbs like ginger, rosehips, thyme, and mullein. It’s a soothing natural remedy that helps ease cold symptoms, sore throats, congestion, and coughs, while supporting the immune system.

Mason jar with herbs, honey, and apple cider vinegar making oxymel, a natural remedy for colds and flu

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Welcome back to my natural remedies series! Summer has been busy with harvesting, drying, and preparing herbs, and I’ve been making all sorts of healing recipes like my plantain salve and yarrow salve.

As the weather turns cooler, now is the perfect time to prepare a few natural remedies to strengthen the immune system and soothe those inevitable seasonal sniffles.

For this oxymel, I used ingredients I already had on hand: freshly harvested rosehips (picked after the first frost), thyme from my garden, and mullein I dried over the summer. Combined with warming ginger, raw honey, and apple cider vinegar, this oxymel is a wonderful, time-tested tonic to boost immunity and ease sore throats, congestion, and coughs.

What is an Oxymel?

An oxymel is a traditional remedy made by combining honey and vinegar. Its name comes from the Greek words oxus (acid) and meli (honey). The result is a sweet-and-sour tonic that can be infused with herbs, fruits, or spices for added health benefits.

Both honey and vinegars have been valued for centuries for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. When infused with medicinal herbs, the oxymel becomes a potent (and delicious) way to preserve plants and enjoy their healing benefits all year long.

Some studies even suggest oxymels may help support heart health, digestion, and weight balance — but most of all, they shine as gentle, effective immune tonics.

Simple oxymel made with honey and apple cider vinegar combine the two ingredients’ benefits such as anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties, as reported by some studies (source).

Some preliminary studies suggest that consumption of oxymel may help lowering the blood cholesterol level and contribute to weight loss (source).

When you add medicinal herbs to a simple oxymel, you also add those herbs’ benefits. In addition, making an oxymel, similarly to making tinctures or infused oils, is a great way to preserve plants and use them all year long.

Jar of amber color oxymel made with honey, vinegar and medicinal herbs

Oxymel FAQs

How do you make an oxymel?

An oxymel is a simple yet powerful preparation made by combining honey and vinegar. Traditionally, oxymels were composed mostly of honey, but modern versions often use a more balanced ratio of honey to vinegar. Medicinal herbs are frequently infused into the mixture to enhance its therapeutic benefits. This can be done through a cold infusion, where the herbs steep in the honey and vinegar at room temperature for several weeks, or through a warm infusion, where the herbs are first steeped in gently heated vinegar before mixing it with honey. Both methods extract the herbs’ beneficial properties, resulting in a soothing, shelf-stable tonic that supports wellness throughout the year.

Jar of unfiltered oxymel with medicinal herbs for colds

What is the shelf life of oxymel?

A simple oxymel or an oxymel made with dried herbs can be stored at room temperature in a sealed jar and in a dark place for up to 6 months. However, oxymel made with fresh ingredients, are better stored in the refrigerator. Refrigerating increased the shelf life to up to 1 year.

What is the best vinegar for oxymel?

You can use any good-quality vinegar, but raw apple cider vinegar is my favorite. It’s rich in beneficial enzymes and probiotics, supports digestion, and has a pleasant tangy flavor that pairs well with honey and herbs. Other great options include white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or herbal vinegars. Use raw and unpasteurized vinegars when possible for the best results.

How much oxymel can you take daily?

Typically, 1 to 2 tablespoons per day is plenty. You can take it straight, mix it into warm water or tea, or even drizzle it over salads. Because of its natural acidity and sugars, it’s best not to exceed 3–4 tablespoons daily.

Can children take oxymel?

Yes, children over 1 year can safely take oxymel in small doses. However, never give honey to infants under 1 year old due to the risk of botulism.

What are the best herbs for oxymel?

You can use any medicinal herb or combination of herbs to make oxymel, or you can even omit the herbs and simply combine honey and vinegar. You can adapt your oxymel depending on your needs. For example, for digestive comfort use peppermint, fennel, chamomile, or ginger. For a soothing and calming tonic use chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, or passionflower. For immune support include ginger, thyme, rosehips, elderberry, echinacea, mullein, and/or citrus peels.

What Are the Benefits of This Oxymel with Ginger, Rosehips, Thyme, and Mullein?

This oxymel is one of my favorite go-to natural remedies for colds and flu.

Raw honey is naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, honey soothes sore throats and calms coughs.
Ginger is a warming, stimulating herb that boosts circulation, eases nausea, reduces inflammation, and supports the immune system.
Rosehips are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, they help strengthen immunity, shorten cold duration, and support recovery.
Thyme is a powerful respiratory herb with antibacterial, antiviral, and expectorant properties. It helps loosen mucus and clear congestion.
Mullein soothes dry coughs, coats irritated throats, and supports healthy lung function.

Together, these herbs make a delicious, immune-boosting oxymel that helps soothe sore throats, clear congestion, and ease coughs, all while supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

Enjoy 1–2 tablespoons daily, or mix it with warm water or tea for an instant comforting drink.

Ingredients For This Oxymel for Colds and Flu

Ingredients for oxymel for colds and flu

Honey. Use raw honey, preferably from local sources. Manuka honey is also a great option with even more health benefits.

Apple cider vinegar. Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is the best option for its unique health benefits. You can also use other vinegars.

Ginger. Use fresh ginger root, sliced or grated. If you don’t have fresh, dry ginger is also an option. Use about 1 tablespoon of dry ginger powder.

Rose hips. This is a great recipe to use rose hips you may pick in the fall. Use fresh or dry rose hips, removing the stems and cutting or blending the berries to increase their beneficial properties. You can of course also purchase some organic dry rose hips like these ones. You can also use elderberries for a powerful immune boosting oxymel.

Thyme. Use dry thyme, about one tablespoon.

Mullein. Use dry mullein leaves. Crash them if needed. I harvest my mullein in the summer when the plant is in full bloom and air-dry the leaves for teas, tinctures, and oxymels. You can also purchase some organic dried mullein leaves like these ones.

Tools You May Need

Pint mason jar with plastic lid or regular lid lined with parchment paper.

Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

How To Make This Oxymel

Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients. Cut the rosehips in half, or pulse them in the food processor. Slice or grate ginger root. Crush thyme and mullein, if necessary.

Step 2: Add rose hips, ginger, thyme, and mullein to a pint mason jar.

Rose hips, ginger, mullein, and thyme in a mason jar to make oxymel for colds and flu

Step 3: Add one cup of honey over the herbs.

Adding honey to mason jar with herbs to make oxymel

Step 4: Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar.

Step 5: Close the jar with a plastic lid or with a regular metal lid lined with a piece of parchment paper or cloth to avoid the acid vinegar touching the metal. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are incorporated.

Shaking mason jar with herbs, honey, and vinegar to make oxymel

Step 6: Place the jar in a dark place for 2-3 weeks. Shake very couple of days.

Mason jar of oxymel with herbs, honey and apple cider vinegar

Step 7: Strain the oxymel through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, squeezing out all the liquid from the herbs. Collect the liquid in a labeled jar. Store in the refrigerator and use within 1 year.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the herbs based on what you have or your specific needs. Scroll up for ideas.

Store in the refrigerator and discard if you notice any mold or off smells.

Take 1–2 tablespoons daily as needed, diluted in water or tea.

Do not give honey to infants under 1 year of age.

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