Playing with Plants: ‘emperor and empress’ fire cider oxymels
Anyone else completely amazed by plants?
I love them! They are so magical. They bring us beauty and flavor, nutrition, healing, and they even hold a huge spiritual vibration.
Modern medicine, as we know it, is rather recent. Like 1800s recent. Before then it was all traditional medicine. And there’s such power in traditional knowledge. It’s what kept our ancestors alive and allowed us to be here.
It’s straight up magic.
Like, hello plants!
You literally come from sun and water and you have anti-bacterial/anti-inflammatory/nervous system/whatever benefits??
No wonder folks thought women who lived in the woods and doled out plants in pretty bottles were witches.
With everything going on in the world, I knew I wanted to bring as much traditional prevention in to my life as possible. For me that looks like immune support and nervous system support and a whole bunch of vitamin D.
The Oxymels
What’s an oxymel? Well, it’s herb infused in raw vinegar and honey. They are used when you need a little sweetness to get the medicine to go down.
I created 2 oxymels that were such a beautiful balance of each other. One has that fiery and forceful energy of the Emperor, while the other is soft and heart-centered like the Empress.
The disclaimer, lol. I am not an herbalist (yet) nor am I a doctor. This is me sharing my experience. I love researching and I suggest you research what’s right for you. This is a traditional medicine. I followed Rosemary Gladstar’s recipe loosely. She’s a famous herbalist who is big in the modern herbalism movement.
Also fun fact: oxymels are over 2000 years old! It has a start in ancient Egypt and Greece. If it’s good enough for the Egyptians, it’s good enough for me, am I right?
The Emperor Oxymel / Fire Cider
I’ve been a big fan of fire cider the past few years so I knew I wanted to make some. Its known for its immune boosting and also respiratory health. I wanted this one to be a bit more traditional but on the less spicy side and without horseradish since I’m not a fan and I couldn’t find any locally. I used all organic produce but definitely do whatever feels right and is accessible.
This amount filled a half gallon size mason jar.
1 Onion
Handful of Garlic Chives*
3 Jalapeños*
Knob of Fresh Ginger Root
2 Tb Dried Orange Peel
1 Tsp Dried Rosemerry
1 Tsp Peppercorn
Knob of Fresh Turmeric Root
1 Tb Dried Elderberry
Handful of Pineapple Sage*
from my OWN garden
The Emperess Oxymel: My Own Funky Oxymel Blend
I wanted this one to be a sweeter mix and somewhat of a heart opener. Something that felt soft and powerful, yet still a powerhouse of immune support. Like the Empress/Divine Feminine of Fire Cider.
This filled a 32oz mason jar.
2 Lemons
2 Tb Dried Elderberry
Knob of Fresh Ginger Root
Knob of Fresh Turmeric Root
1 Tb Peppercorn
2 Tb Dried Lemon Balm
2 Tb Dried Rose Petals
1 Tb Dried Orange Peel
Few Sprinkles of Cinnamon
Heavy Handful of Pineapple Sage*
For both, add raw apple cider vinegar to cover plant matter and leave an inch room to the top. One of my photos show a lot more than an inch but that was because I ran out of vinegar. Whoops.
Imp Note: If using metal lid, use parchment paper as an inside liner.
Let soak for 2-6 weeks, shaking gently every day. After you are happy with the infusion, strain matter and preserve the liquid. Add honey to taste (I will probably add around a cup for each) and refrigerate.
I prefer to take it like a fun shot. Daily unless I start to feel under the weather and then I take it more frequently throughout the day. I’m hoping the Empress Oxymel had a sweet taste to it so I can add it to sparkling water and use it like a shrub.
Fun tip!
I wrote health affirmations on my parchment paper and then placed my infusions under the full Harvest Moon. That makes this a triple infusion: Herb, moon, and affirmation based!
The Affirmations
I am vibrant, healthy, happy, and full of vitality.
Everything is working out best case scenario.
Every day I feel better and better.