Oxymels have been used for centuries as herbal preparations made from honey and vinegar, often with herbs added to the mixture. Black Elderberry can also be incorporated into an Oxymel, bringing together this traditional honey-and-vinegar format with Black Elderberry.
Below, we answer common questions about Elderberry Oxymels, what they’re made from, Black Elderberry, and how to make a simple Oxymel at home.
What is an Elderberry Oxymel?
An Oxymel is a syrup-like preparation traditionally made from honey and vinegar, often with complementary herbs added. The name comes from the Greek words for acid and honey, reflecting its sweet-and-sour flavor.
An Elderberry Oxymel incorporates Black Elderberry into this traditional preparation. Gaia Herbs® has previously described an Elderberry tonic made with Black Elderberries, raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey as a modern take on the time-honored Oxymel.
For more about the history and traditional preparation of Oxymels, visit our complete guide to Oxymels.
What is an Oxymel made from?
At its simplest, an Oxymel combines honey and vinegar. Herbs can also be infused into the mixture.
Gaia Herbs®’ existing Oxymel recipe uses equal parts raw, unfiltered honey and vinegar, with fresh or dried herbs as an optional addition. Raw apple cider vinegar is one popular option, although other vinegars can also be used.
What is Black Elderberry?
Black Elderberry, or Sambucus nigra, is also known as European Elder. It is a deciduous shrub native to Europe and part of the Adoxaceae plant family.
Gaia Herbs® identifies the fruit as the plant part used in Black Elderberry Syrup Extra Strength. For this product, Black Elderberry is used in extract form and is listed as Certified Organic in Know Your Gaia Herbs®. View Black Elderberry Syrup in Know Your Gaia Herbs®
Is Black Elderberry the same as Sambucus nigra?
Yes. Sambucus nigra is also called Black Elderberry or European Elder.
The broader Sambucus genus includes different Elder species found throughout Europe, Africa and the Americas.
What part of Black Elderberry does Gaia Herbs® use?
Gaia Herbs® identifies the fruit as the plant part used in Black Elderberry Syrup Extra Strength.
For this product, Black Elderberry is used in extract form and is listed as Certified Organic in Know Your Gaia Herbs®.
Where does Gaia Herbs®’ Black Elderberry come from?
Most of the Black Elderberry used by Gaia Herbs® is grown in Austria.
Gaia Herbs® sources much of its Black Elderberry from a cooperative of certified-organic growers. The Elderberries are hand-harvested, and Gaia Herbs® identifies the Haschberg variety as the primary variety used.
You can explore ingredient origin, harvesting information and quality information through Know Your Gaia Herbs®.
Does Elderberry have a history of traditional herbal use?
Yes. The Elder plant has deep roots in herbal tradition.
Gaia Herbs®’ Know Your Herbs information describes Elder as having a long history in European herbal traditions, while Gaia Herbs®' previously published Elderberry content notes that Black Elderberries have been used for centuries.
How do you make an Elderberry Oxymel?
Gaia Herbs®’ existing Oxymel recipe starts with equal parts honey and gently warmed vinegar. Herbs may then be added to the mixture.
For approximately two cups of Oxymel, the existing Gaia Herbs® recipe uses:
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1 cup raw, unfiltered honey
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1 cup raw apple cider, red wine or pomegranate vinegar
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¼ cup dried herbs or ¾ cup fresh herbs, if using
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A glass jar with a tightly sealing lid
Combine the honey with lukewarm vinegar and add the herbs. Stir the ingredients together, cover the container and allow the mixture to sit for four to six weeks, shaking it periodically. After steeping, strain the liquid and transfer it to a clean jar.
For the complete original method and storage instructions, visit Gaia Herbs®’ Oxymel guide.
Using Elderberry
Gaia Herbs®' existing Oxymel guide lists fresh or dried Elderberry among the herbs that may be added to an Oxymel. For the complete recipe and preparation instructions, refer to the original Oxymel guide.
What other herbs can be added to an Oxymel?
Gaia Herbs®’ existing Oxymel guide includes herbs such as Elderberry, oregano, thyme, rose hips and sage among potential additions.
Different herbs can be incorporated depending on the type of Oxymel being prepared.
How long does an Oxymel need to steep?
Gaia Herbs®’ existing Oxymel recipe recommends allowing the mixture to sit for four to six weeks, shaking it every few days.
After approximately four weeks, the liquid can be strained and transferred to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid.
How should an Oxymel be stored?
The existing Gaia Herbs® Oxymel recipe recommends storing the strained mixture in a clean jar with a tightly sealing lid in a cool, dark cupboard.
The published recipe states that the finished Oxymel should keep for up to one year when stored this way.
What is the difference between an Oxymel and an herbal tincture?
An Oxymel is traditionally based on honey and vinegar and may contain herbs.
Herbal tinctures use a different type of extraction preparation. To explore Gaia Herbs®’ liquid herbal extracts, visit our herbal tinctures collection.
What Black Elderberry products does Gaia Herbs® offer?
Gaia Herbs® offers several Black Elderberry products, including Black Elderberry Syrup Extra Strength and Black Elderberry Gummies Extra Strength.
Gaia Herbs® describes Black Elderberry Syrup Extra Strength as a daily Elderberry tonic with antioxidants to support immune health.*
The Elderberries used in the syrup are juiced and concentrated before being processed into a concentrated extract.
Explore Gaia Herbs®’ Black Elderberry supplements to learn more.
How can I learn where the ingredients in my Gaia Herbs® product come from?
With Know Your Gaia Herbs®, you can search for a Gaia Herbs® product and learn more about where its ingredients were grown, how they were harvested and the quality testing performed before they reached the finished product.
For Black Elderberry Syrup Extra Strength, the experience provides details such as the botanical name, country of origin, format, certification, plant part used and sourcing information.
Learn More About Oxymels and Black Elderberry
If you’d like to explore the broader history, ingredients and preparation of Oxymels, read Gaia Herbs®’ complete Oxymel guide.
To learn more about Black Elderberry and explore Gaia Herbs®’ current offerings, visit our Black Elderberry supplements collection or use Know Your Gaia Herbs® to learn more about the ingredients in your product.