How To Make a Sage Oxymel
When the weather turns to a new season, we know cold and flu season is just around the corner. This sage oxymel is excellent to have on hand in preparation for the seasons of potential illness.
Out of many potential herbal preparations, I have found oxymels to be a fantastic and tasty way to introduce herbal remedies to the whole family. The best reason to start learning about herbalism with sage is because you can easily incorporate it into your regular family meals!
Please note that I am not a certified medical practitioner. This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any treatments. Always consult your healthcare provider before using natural remedies.
What is an Oxymel?
An oxymel is an herbal extraction using raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey. The extraction is more shelf stable than an herbal syrup but much less than a tincture.
Although oxymels have a shorter shelf life compared to a tincture, the honey and vinegar used in oxymels tend to make them more palatable than plain tinctures. Many like to use oxymels as a happy medium between the shelf life and palatability of the available options.
What Kind of Sage To Use
There are many varieties of sage that can be used. Some varieties that you might see include Common (or Garden) Sage, White Sage, Pineapple Sage and Blue Sage. For this medicinal purpose, Common Sage is great. Use whichever kind of sage you have available.
Where to Find Sage for an Herbal Oxymel
The first way to find dried herbs is online. Common places to find dried sage include Amazon, Etsy, and Azure Standard. This tends to be the easiest method as there is little additional work needed in order to enjoy the benefits of your oxymel. However, using fresh or recently harvested age is the best option in terms of having the highest level of medicinal compounds.
If you are looking to use fresh sage, you will likely find some “fresh” sprigs at your local grocery store or farmers market. If you don’t have either of these options, the best way to get fresh sage is to grow it yourself!
In terms of harvesting, growing your own is the best option. This ensures the highest quality in both flavor and medicinal properties. An additional benefit is you can care for your plants as you wish. Meaning, you can feed your plants and amend the soil to ensure your herbs are organic.
The Health Benefits of Sage
Based on a few books that I have from the well known herbalist, Rosemary Glastar, sage is a great starter herb to get familiar with. In my eyes, this is a fantastic herb to start with because you can use it in herbal medicine preparations as well as lunch or dinner!
Given that sage has been found to be anti-bacterial and supports the nervous system, it is a great herb to have on hand for cold and flu season! The compounds found in this herb can be used internally and externally. If you’re interested in more ways to use sage internally, you might enjoy it in tea or added into your next meal!
The Importance of Raw Honey and Raw Apple Cider Vinegar in Oxymels
It’s important to use both raw apple cider vinegar and honey. Both ingredients in their raw form bring natural preservation properties to this extraction. The beneficial bacteria in both honey and apple cider vinegar can also provide great benefits to your gut flora.
If you’re brand new to the magical abilities of both raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey, I highly encourage you to do a deep dive on both!
Looking for more herbal inspiration? You might enjoy this Elderberry Oxymel or this Homemade Ginger Wellness Shot Recipe.
Making a Sage Oxymel vs a Sage Syrup
As a medicinal herb, sage is a wonderful resource for aiding in the fight against colds and flu. Adding raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey adds not only to the flavor but also the health benefits and the longevity of the elixir. Adding raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey will allow you to keep this medicinal beverage in the refrigerator for months instead of weeks.
In order to obtain the same “shelf life” with a syrup, you would need to freeze it. Freezing a medicinal syrup may not be ideal because it can take a while for it to thaw and be usable.
Making a Sage Oxymel vs a Sage Tincture
Tinctures that use a high proof alcohol are an amazing tool to preserve medicinal plants for almost indefinitely. Although the amount of alcohol ingested with a tincture is typically miniscule due to the dosage, it may not be suitable for all users.
Oxymels allow for the same or similar medicinal benefit as a tincture without the alcohol. Although the vinegar does not extend the shelf life to the level of a tincture, it certainly extends it longer than a syrup.
Are you in need of more support for the next cold and flu season? Earthly Wellness has great herbal options available. The Earthly Wellness Feel Better Fast tincture and Elderberry Elixir are favored by many. If you use the Earthly Wellness coupon code HELLONATURAL to save 10% your first order.
The Ingredient Ratio for Sage Oxymel
For a sage oxymel, the ideal ratio is 1:1:1 of each of the ingredients. This means you need to use equal amounts of sage, raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey.
If this much apple cider vinegar is a bit too strong for you, you can use up to three parts honey to one part vinegar and one part plant ingredients.
The Shelf life of Sage Oxymel
The shelf life of any oxymel will highly depend on the storage conditions. To keep the medicinal qualities at the highest level possible, I recommend storing your finished product in the back of your refrigerator when not in use. By keeping the final product in the back of your refrigerator, your oxymel should last 6 – 18 months.
Before each use of your oxymel, be sure to inspect it for any signs of spoilage or growth. This is especially important if your oxymel has been sitting in the back of your refrigerator closer to the 10-18 month timeframe. The apple cider vinegar and honey should naturally preserve the mixture. However, there are endless opportunities for other foreign items to make it into the mix.
Ingredients and Tools
- ½ cup Sage (Fresh or Dried)
- ½ cup Raw honey
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
1 large mouth pint canning jar and airtight lid – I like to use a spent canning lid
Mixing spoon
Liquid measuring cup
Fine mesh sieve
Funnel
Optional herbal additions: rosehips, cinnamon and ginger
Instructions
Add all ingredients into a pint canning jar. If using, add any desired optional spices like rosehips, cinnamon and ginger. Stir well and secure the air tight lid.
Place the jar in a cool & dark place for at least two weeks. On every other day or so, give the jar a shake to mix the contents of the jar.
After two weeks, strain the liquid from the sage using a fine mesh sieve and a funnel into a new, clean jar or bottle. Be sure to squeeze all of the liquid from the sage. This will ensure more medicinal compounds are included in your final product.
Label well with the contents and a date. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use.
For best results, use within 6 months – 1 year.
FAQ:
What Is The Ingredient Ratio for an Oxymel?
For a sage oxymel, the ideal ratio is 1:1:1 of each of the ingredients. This means you need to use equal amounts of herb, raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey.
If this much apple cider vinegar is a bit too strong for you, you can use up to three parts honey to one part vinegar and one part plant ingredients.
How Much Sage Oxymel Should I Take?
The dosage you should take can depend on many personal factors. The typical dosage for an adult ranges from 1-2 tablespoons. The frequency of the doses will depend on your health status (more frequent if you’re experiencing symptoms and less often if you’re taking before symptoms occur).
What is the Shelf Life of Sage Oxymel?
When stored in the back of the refrigerator, an oxymel can stay good for 6-18. The health benefits will tend to be strongest within the first 6 months of storage.
Where Can I Find Sage?
Common places to find dried Sage include Amazon, Etsy, and Azure Standard. Fresh Sage can be found in the produce department in your local grocery store or at a farmers market
What Are The Health Benefits of Sage?
Based on a few books that I have from the well known herbalist, Rosemary Glastar, sage is a great starter herb to get familiar with. In my eyes, this is a fantastic herb to start with because you can use it in herbal medicine preparations as well as lunch or dinner!
Given that sage has been found to be anti-bacterial and supports the nervous system, it is a great herb to have on hand for cold and flu season! The compounds found in this herb can be used internally and externally. If you’re interested in more ways to use sage internally, you might enjoy it in tea or added into your next meal!
Did you try this? Share your creations in the comments or by tagging @MissysHomestead on Instagram.
Sage Oxymel
Equipment
- 1 large mouth pint canning jar and airtight lids
- Mixing Spoon
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Fine mesh sieve
- Funnel
Ingredients
- ½ cup Whole Sage Leaves Fresh or Dried
- ½ cup Raw honey
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a pint canning jar. If using, add any desired optional spices like rosehips, cinnamon and ginger. Stir well and secure the air tight lid.
- Place the jar in a cool & dark place for at least two weeks. On every other day or so, give the jar a shake to mix the contents of the jar.
- After two weeks, strain the liquid from the sage using a fine mesh sieve and a funnel into a new, clean jar or bottle. Be sure to squeeze all of the liquid from the sage. This will ensure more medicinal compounds are included in your final product.
- Label well with the contents and a date. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use.
- For best results, use within 6 months – 1 year.
