Syrups
Syrups are made by mixing an herbal decoction with a sweetener. Syrups are used to add sweetness to an herbal remedy, making it easier to take your medicine or as a delicious topping for breakfast foods, desserts and ice cream.
Syrup How To:
Using 2 oz. of herb(s) per 1 quart of water, heat in a pan over low heat. Simmer the liquid down by half. Strain the herbs and pour the liquid back into the pot. Now add your sweetener (honey, maple syrup, sugar, etc. I prefer honey as my sweetener) You want 2 parts liquid to 1 part sweetener. Warm over low and stir until well combined. Raw honey is filled with its own healing properties so do not heat above 100 degrees or they will be destroyed. Remove from heat and pour into a bottle. Store in refrigerator. This should last several weeks.
Elderberry syrup
Syrup How To:
Using 2 oz. of herb(s) per 1 quart of water, heat in a pan over low heat. Simmer the liquid down by half. Strain the herbs and pour the liquid back into the pot. Now add your sweetener (honey, maple syrup, sugar, etc. I prefer honey as my sweetener) You want 2 parts liquid to 1 part sweetener. Warm over low and stir until well combined. Raw honey is filled with its own healing properties so do not heat above 100 degrees or they will be destroyed. Remove from heat and pour into a bottle. Store in refrigerator. This should last several weeks.
Elderberry syrup
Herbal Honey
Raw honey alone has many healing benefits but infuse some herbs into it and you now have a healing power house that is so yummy and easy to use.
Use your honey to make an instant tea (1 Tbsp. honey to 1 cup of hot water), spread on toast, put in hot cereal or use in your cooking. The options are endless. In the book The Herbal Kitchen, there is an entire section on different combinations of herbal honey - so yummy.
10 Medicinal Honey's for Winter
- Start with 1 cup of raw honey. Warm over very low heat, just until it gets to where it can pour easily. In the summer I just place it outside for an hour or two. Make sure the temps do not get above 100 degrees.
- Place 1/4 cup of herbs (either powdered, dried or fresh wilted) in a pint jar.
- Pour the honey over the herbs and stir to combine.
- Let sit in a warm spot for two weeks.
- If using fresh herbs, they will raise to the top of the jar, you can scrape them out or leave them in.
Use your honey to make an instant tea (1 Tbsp. honey to 1 cup of hot water), spread on toast, put in hot cereal or use in your cooking. The options are endless. In the book The Herbal Kitchen, there is an entire section on different combinations of herbal honey - so yummy.
10 Medicinal Honey's for Winter
Herbal Butter or Ghee
You can make a sweet or savory herbal butter following these simple instructions.
Savory Butter:
1/2 cup of lightly salted butter
1/2 cup of fresh* herbs (you can mix and match herbs here or do all one herb)
*If using dried herbs cut the amount down to 1/4 cup.
Mix, until well blended and store in fridge for up to three weeks or in the freezer for six months.
Sweet Butter:
1/2 cup of lightly salted butter
1 Tbsp. orange juice
1/2 cup of sweet flavored fresh herbs (lemon balm, mint, lavender, etc.) or 1/4 cup dried herbs
2 Tbsp. raw honey
optional: 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Same instructions for savory butter.
Ghee:
Add 3/4 cup fresh herbs to warm ghee and let sit for two weeks before using. Add 1/4 cup if using dried herbs.
Savory Butter:
1/2 cup of lightly salted butter
1/2 cup of fresh* herbs (you can mix and match herbs here or do all one herb)
*If using dried herbs cut the amount down to 1/4 cup.
Mix, until well blended and store in fridge for up to three weeks or in the freezer for six months.
Sweet Butter:
1/2 cup of lightly salted butter
1 Tbsp. orange juice
1/2 cup of sweet flavored fresh herbs (lemon balm, mint, lavender, etc.) or 1/4 cup dried herbs
2 Tbsp. raw honey
optional: 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Same instructions for savory butter.
Ghee:
Add 3/4 cup fresh herbs to warm ghee and let sit for two weeks before using. Add 1/4 cup if using dried herbs.
Sprinkles and Salts
Grind or use powdered herbs to make special blends and combinations for all sorts of uses in the kitchen. The Herbal Kitchen has some great recipes for both sprinkles and salts.
Breakfast Sprinkle
Garden Herbal Sprinkle
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Cold Remedy Sprinkle
Breakfast Sprinkle
Garden Herbal Sprinkle
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Cold Remedy Sprinkle
Using Herbs in the Kitchen
 
|
The easiest method for incorporating herbs is through our meals and drinks. I picked this book out at the library and used it so much I ended up buying it. There are 250 recipes and a lot of "Oh, I can use herbs for that" moments.
This book contains many recipes in the following sections: Herbal waters, drinks, smoothies, honey, vinegar, cordials, oils, ghee, pesto, sprinkles and salt. 50 herbs are also highlighted at the beginning of the book and include more ideas on how to use those herbs.
|
