Olive Leaf Oxymel

Olive leaf extract (which this is NOT a recipe for) is something I’ve found very effective in the past. Sure, it tastes nasty, but anytime a cough/cold was coming on, I’d take some and feel the difference. I wondered if it could be made at home, as so many extracts are as simple as steeping herbs in vodka.

Last year Rick gave our olive tree a heavy pruning, and mentioned there was a substantial pile of organic olive leaves that were available to use. Sadly they ended up shrivelling up and being forgotten.

This week, while we’ve had sickness passing through our family, I stumbled across a recipe for an oxymel (‘oxy’=acid + ‘mel’ = honey). This is as simple as mixing equal parts of apple cider vinegar and raw honey, and infusing this with a herb/root of choice for about four weeks. Fantastic! It sounded like just the way to create a homemade remedy with olive leaf. Olive leaf is also great for reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure and reducing arthritis symptoms.

To make:

Grab a clean glass jar with a lid. Make a label, so you don’t lose track of what you’re brewing in there!

Fill up to half the jar with olive leaves, chopped nice and small (the more surface area, the better).

Add equal parts of apple cider vinegar and raw honey.

Mix well and let steep for about 4 weeks, in a cool, dark place. If you can remember to pull the jar out and give it a shake every few days, this is helpful.

Strain out the leaves.

To use, pour a teaspoon-full and take as a preventative, or if you are ill, take up to three teaspoon-fulls a day.

*Note: if you are keen to try this with some other herb/root, please do your research first and make sure it’s safe to be taken internally.