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Combining three ingredients and some vinegar creates a surprising flower vinegar recipe that’s useful for herbal self-care. As a bonus, it’s alcohol-free!
As usual, the formulas I prefer are the workhorses of the herbal world- nothing fancy, but versatile; and nice and strong. Deceptively simple, Three Flower Vinegar is no exception. It’s a wonderful concoction to have on hand for angry, irritated skin, but it works equally well for soothing emotional irritation, too. The finished product smells divine, so don’t avoid trying it just because you’re thinking “Eeeew! Vinegar!”
How I use this flower vinegar recipe
Topically, I use Three Flower Vinegar for soothing skin after a sunburn, as a facial toner just to pamper myself, or as a liniment for muscles that are tight and achy from stress. For all of these applications, adding it to a spritz bottle is a great idea.
Three Flower Vinegar can also be used as a condiment or beverage. I add a teaspoon to a glass of sparkling water with a little honey as one of my favorite drinks when I’m feeling stressed out. It’s much more interesting than soda, and much better for you, too. If you like kombucha, you should give it a try. It’s similar to some of the “botanic” kombucha formulas on the market.
Ingredients
2 tbsp dried lavender buds
1/2 cup dried rose petals
1/4 cup dried elder flowers
2 cups apple cider vinegar
Directions
- Combine all the flowers in a clean glass canning jar, and add the apple cider vinegar.
- Stir to combine.
The flowers will float to the top, so you will need to stir a few times over the next two weeks.
Where to buy the ingredients
If you need a source for ingredients, consider buying from Mountain Rose Herbs. They are my favorite source of high-quality dried herbs. I’m also an affiliate, so purchasing from my links below earns a commission that helps me run the blog.
Finishing up
The vinegar will start taking on a reddish hue from the rose petals almost immediately. Stash it someplace dark and cool to infuse. After one to two weeks, it will be ready.
As you can see, the final flower vinegar takes on a gorgeous color. It also smells amazing at this point. Strain the mixture through muslin or cheesecloth into a clean bowl, then transfer to a brown glass bottle with a screw top. I prefer to keep mine in the refrigerator, but as long as it is kept in a relatively cool, dark place it will be fine. Label, and enjoy as desired!
Learn more about herbs for self-care
Feeling stressed out? The Herbal Academy has an excellent course called Herbal Self-Care for Stress Management (#affiliate) that you might enjoy! They also offer a wonderful Botanical Skin Care Course (#affiliate) if you like making your own herbal soaps, lotions, and potions to pamper yourself and your loved one.
Originally published February 6, 2014. Updated October 7, 2021
Learn more about herbs for self-care in 4 Nervine Herbs for Emotional Support
