Garlic Oxymel
Garlic Oxymel
At the first sign of a cold or flu, reach for Garlic Oxymel, an age-old immunity boosting remedy. Oxymel means "acid and honey" and is indicative of its two main ingredients: honey and apple cider vinegar.
Traditionally used to help make certain herbs such as garlic or onion more palatable, drinking just 1/2 to 1 cup per day of this tonic will help the medicinal properties of garlic go down more easily.
Ingredients
1 fresh garlic bulb (do not use pre-peeled or minced garlic)
4 c. water
1/4 c. raw honey (locally sourced or regional is best)
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
Optional: 1 T. finely minced, fresh ginger root
Instructions
Peel and finely chop garlic cloves. Let the chopped cloves sit for about 10 minutes, then add to the water in a large pot with cover, heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer until garlic is very soft – about 20 minutes. Leave cover on pot, remove from heat and set aside to cool at least 1 hour.
Once cool, add honey and vinegar; mix well. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
When ready to drink, gently reheat on the stove. If desired, add minced ginger root.
Note: This remedy is not for use in respiratory illnesses where heat, such as fever, predominates.