How to Make a Calendula Cold and Flu Elixir or Oxymel {DIY}

"Please give these to your mother,

and tell her I like the medicine she sent me very much."

~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Though this elixir tastes just like the over-the-counter cough medicine (and boasts great results), it isn't full of nasty laboratory chemicals! My husband was starting to feel those symptoms of sickness and the minute I noticed him getting congested, I brought out our bottle (some might of thought I was excited that he was sick just so I could finally try this recipe out!). I expected to continue to administer it to him the next day but he was already recovering by then! Whatever was in this concotion worked! Actually, I do know what is in it *smile* and I would love to share this recipe with you, my aspiring herbalists!

The neat part about this recipe is that it includes the bright and beautiful calendula. Most people think of this flower as an external healer but this recipe highlights its internal healing powers! According to the Herbal Academy of New England, it is "an antimicrobial to help the body resist pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Research has shown that calendula is effective against flu and herpes viruses (McIntyre, 1996). Calendula is also an effective lymphatic cleanser, reducing lymphatic congestion and infection and removing toxins from the lymph system."

{Note: Pregnant and/or nursing women should not take calendula internally though it is safe externally. See disclaimer below.}

To make this cold and flu elixir (and/or oxymel), add the following herbs to a clean, quart sized jar:

• 1 c. fresh (or 2/3 c. dried) calendula flowers ~ I used fresh (how to identify calendula is here).
• 1 c. fresh (or 2/3 c. dried) elderberries ~ I used dried.
• 1/2 c. fresh (or 1/3 c. dried) rose hips ~ I used dried.
• 2 tbsp. fresh (or 1 tbsp. dried) orange peel ~ I used dried.
• 1 tbsp. fresh (or 1 tsp. dried) ginger ~ I used fresh.

To make an elixir: Add vodka (80-100 proof) into jar of herbs until it is ¾ of the way full. {If you are concerned about using and making alcohol based medicine (and understandably so!), visit here or simply try the oxymel recipe below}.

To make an oxymel: Add raw apple cider vinegar into jar of herbs until it is ¾ of the way full. If choosing to use the raw apple cider vinegar, keep in mind that the herbal medicine won't be as strong since vinegar doesn't extract the same amount of medicinal properties from the herbs as the alcohol does. 

Lastly (for both elixir and oxymel), fill the remaining of the jar with raw honey making sure to leave one inch from the top of the jar for "shake room". Screw on your jar lid.  If using a metal lidded jar, cover jar with plastic prior to screwing on lid so it doesn't corrode. Give your elixir/oxymel a nice shake and check to make sure the contents are still within the 1 inch mark. If not, add more honey.

Let your mixture steep in a cool, dark area for 4-6 weeks if using alcohol. If using raw apple cider vinegar, let it sit for 2-3 weeks. Give your jar a good shake every few days to infuse the herbs while also making sure that nothing (like the honey) gets stuck to the bottom. 

When the time is completed, place a fine strainer over a glass bowl. Line the strainer with a piece of clean lightweight cotton (like a flour sack towel). Pour the contents through, strain and label the glass jar with the name and date (you can use our clip art below if you like). Your elixir and/or oxymel is now ready to use!

                           

Store your "Calendula Cold and Flu Elixir" in a cool, dark area like your pantry for at least one year. If you have made the oxymel version with the raw apple cider vinegar, that should last up to 6 months in your pantry (or perhaps longer in your fridge).

At the first signs of cold or flu in our home, we take one tablespoon every 2-3 hours until symptoms subside (I would reduce dosage in half for children). We have found that frequent doses are the key to effective treatment when using natural medicine. This would also be a wonderful prevention tonic to build up your immune system when those bugs are in the air. When some family members came off an international flight during the "Ebola scare", I gave this elixir to them immediately in the airport (and once more before bed) and no one ever got sick! And my prior experiences with international flights had always left someone with undesirable health.

This recipe was adapted from the Herbal Academy of New England. You will find a printable recipe on their website that you may want to include in your herbal {free "herbal" printable here}. I did change four things in the original recipe as follows:

• First off, we offered the nonalcoholic version of making an oxymel with raw apple cider vinegar.  

• Secondly, we didn't have the elderflowers so I prepared this recipe without them being that I at least had the powerful elderberries.

• Third, we changed the medium from brandy to vodka. We don't keep a liquor cabinet in our home as we do not "drink". However, we do keep vodka on hand for making baking extracts and medicinal tinctures so that is what we used. The proof is the same so that it will not affect the preserving abilities of this elixir. If you are concerned about using and making alcohol based medicine (and understandably so!), visit here.

• Lastly, we changed the title (poetic license if you please :).

Do you have any information, recipes or ideas for calendula usage? We are hosting a "calendula only" link up and we would love to glean from you. This post was a part of our Make Your Own Apothecary ~ Home Pharmacy Series. See our complete collection of Calendula DIY Recipes here!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. While I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use, remember that using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is approved by the FDA or intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. All things on this blog are my opinion or the opinion of others. Also, if you have a medical condition, are taking pharmaceutical drugs, or are pregnant, please consult your physician prior to taking herbs.

The following posts have been shared thus far in our series:

Medicine Making Supplies ~ Preparing a Home Apothecary

Set of Apothecary Herb Labels ~ Free Printable

Should You Use Alcohol-Based Medicine?

How to Make a Medicinal Oil {Plus Printable Instructions and Labels}

How to Make a Tincture {Plus Printable Instructions and Labels}

How to Make Elderberry Medicine {For the Cold and Flu}

Everything Elderberry {Learn and Share ~ Herbal Link Up}
How to Make Calendula Medicine {Collection of Recipes}

How to Identify Calendula in Your Back Yard and Its Uses

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, So Much at Home, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Hearts for Home Thursdays, Home Acre Hop, Growing in Grace Thursdays, From the Farm Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.