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Herbal (medicated) honeys are thick liquid preparations closely allied to syrups, differing because honey is used as the base instead of sugar. They are simply a mixture of honey with certain medicinal agents (tinctures, glycerites, powders), and are normally prepared extemporarily.

Glycerin is sometimes added to medicinal honey preparations to prevent granulation and subsequent separation of the honey into layers. Some folks add glycerin for the purpose of better preservation (which is probably redundant since honey is an excellent preservative agent on its own). The glycerin is added in the proportion of 5 percent of the amount of honey.

To Prepare Aromatic Honeys

Aromatic honeys are prepared by adding aromatic essential oils to a honey-glycerin base. These aromatic honeys preserve forever, and with the addition of the glycerin, will not readily crystallize, so they need not be reliquefied by the use of heat (which readily evaporates volatile oils).

Aromatic honeys are excellent to use as vehicles to deliver essential oils for flavoring tea, coffee, salad dressing, hot breakfast cereals, toasted raisin-cinnamon bagels, etc., and they are well used as digestive aids taken after meals. Some essential oils that are good to experiment with are: Cinnamon, Ginger, Angelica, Peppermint, Bergamot, Rose, Lemon, Orange, Geranium, Dill, and Cardamom.

To each 1/4 cup of honey add 1 or 2 drops of essential oil and stir them in. As when flavoring a syrup, add the oil only one drop at a time, for these oils are very intense, and with some essential oils two drops can be too much (this is rectified by adding more honey).

OXYMELS

An oxymel is a specialized sweet and sour herbal honey, a sweet honey mixed with a little sour vinegar. This combination is used as a carrier for herbal infusions, decoctions, concentrates, tinctures, and so forth. Oxymels are used as a gargle or as a vehicle for intense herbal aids such as Garlic, Cayenne, and Lobelia.

OXYMELS

To Prepare an Oxymel Base

1. Mix 1 pound honey with 1/2 pint vinegar.

2. Place the mixture in a pot and simmer to a consistency of syrup.

3. To this carrier, one normally adds a medicinal agent (infusion, decoction, concentrate, tincture) to prepare it as a gargle or an expectorant medicine.

Garlic Oxymel by the Late Dr. John Christopher

Dilute a small portion; use this as a gargle and take 2 tablepoonsful internally.

1. Measure 8 oz. (250 ml) vinegar into a glass pot.

2. Add 1/4 oz. (7 Gm) crushed Caraway seeds and 1/4 oz. crushed Fennel seeds.

3. Bring this mixture to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Remove from the heat and add 11/2 oz. (45 Gm) of fresh pressed Garlic.

5. Let this sit until cool.

6. Press and strain the liquid.

7. Add 10 oz. (300 Gm) of honey.

8. Place onto a low heat and simmer to a consistency of syrup.

Lobelia Oxymel by the Late Dr. William H. Cook

This is an effective preparation to use for relieving dry and irritable coughs, and congestion of the lungs.

1. Macerate Lobelia (preferably the fresh plant if available; dry plant works too) in enough apple cider vinegar to cover it completely.

2. Press it after 7 to 14 days.

3. Mix with honey at the proportion of 3 pounds honey to 1 quart of tincture [for a smaller amount use 340 Gm (3/4 lb.) of honey to 250 ml (8 oz.) of tincture].

4. Evaporate in a water bath to the consistency of thin molasses.

5. Bottle and refrigerate.

ELECTUARIES

An electuary (more commonly referred to these days as a confection or conserve) is a delivery vehicle that has been prepared by mixing an unpleasant tasting, finely powdered herb with honey (sometimes including a little sugar) or fruit pulp, creating a sweetened and flavored mass that can be molded into portions about the size of a marble (nib or an aggie-sized) suitable for oral administration. When made with honey or the addition of glycerin, electuaries retain their original soft condition for a long time; if made with fruit pulp, the moisture gradually evaporates and the mass becomes dry and hard. If essential oils are to be incorporated