Pictured Above: Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Herbal syrups are a wonderful way to harness the power of herbs and enjoy their benefits in a delicious, easy-to-use form. By combining honey with herbal infusions, you create a syrup that can soothe, support, and uplift. Here’s a simple guide to crafting your own herbal honey syrup at home, without featuring any specific herbs—allowing you to choose your favorites!
Herbs to Consider
Elderberry
- Immune Support: Rich in antioxidants, elderberry is known for its ability to boost the immune system and may help reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Contains flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially alleviating symptoms of respiratory issues.
- Delicious Flavor: Elderberries have a sweet, tangy taste
Wild Cherry Bark
- Soothing Cough Relief: Traditionally used as a natural remedy for coughs and respiratory discomfort, it acts as a demulcent to soothe irritated tissues.
- Expectorant Qualities: May help loosen mucus in the airways, making it easier to expel, which is beneficial during cold and flu season.
- Pleasant Taste: Wild cherry bark has a sweet and slightly spicy flavor
Elecampane
- Respiratory Health: Known for its expectorant properties, elecampane may help clear mucus from the lungs and support overall lung function.
- Digestive Aid: Traditionally used to improve digestion and alleviate digestive issues such as bloating and gas.
- Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Contains compounds that may reduce inflammation and provide soothing effects on the throat and respiratory tract.
Ginger
- Digestive Support: Renowned for its ability to relieve nausea and aid digestion, making it a staple for gastrointestinal health.
- Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant: Contains gingerol, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supporting overall wellness.
- Warm and Spicy Flavor: Adds a zesty kick to syrups
Hawthorn Berry
- Heart Health: Rich in antioxidants, hawthorn berries are known for their potential benefits in supporting cardiovascular health and regulating blood pressure.
- Anxiety and Stress Relief: May help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
- Flavorful Addition: With a mildly sweet and tart taste
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- Herbs of Your Choice: Fresh or dried herbs work well. Consider your favorites or those that support your health goals.
- Honey: Raw, local honey is best for its flavor and health benefits.
- Water: Distilled or filtered water is preferred for purity.
Equipment:
- Saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Glass jar or bottle for storage
- Spoon for stirring
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select Your Herbs:
- Choose the herbs you’d like to use. Use approximately 1 cup of fresh herbs or ½ cup of dried herbs.
- Prepare the Herbal Infusion:
- In a saucepan, combine your chosen herbs with 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes. This process extracts the beneficial properties of the herbs.
- Strain the Mixture:
- After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and let the infusion cool slightly. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bowl or pitcher, discarding the solid herbs.
- Incorporate the Honey:
- For every cup of herbal infusion, add 1 cup of honey. Stir well to combine, ensuring that the honey dissolves completely into the warm infusion.
- Gently Heat the Syrup:
- Return the honey-infused mixture to the saucepan and heat it gently. Stir continuously until the honey is fully dissolved. Avoid boiling the mixture, as excessive heat can compromise the beneficial properties of the herbs and honey.
- Bottle the Syrup:
- Once the syrup has cooled to room temperature, transfer it into a sterilized glass jar or bottle. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator
- Dosage: Use 1-2 tablespoons of your herbal honey syrup as needed. It can be added to teas, drizzled over desserts, or taken directly for a soothing effect.
- Shelf Life: Thanks to honey’s natural preservative properties, your syrup can last for several months in the refrigerator.
You may enjoy our best-selling shelf stable Lung Rescue Syrup Here. Our Lung Rescue is a wonderful syrup to have on hand when you need help easing a variety of coughs, from wet and boggy to dry and scratchy. We formulated this blend with wildcrafted plants and herbs organically cultivated on the farm that have an affinity for both the respiratory system and immune systems to help work deeply and assist with the root cause of the cough itself.
