How To Make an Herbal Syrup

Making Herbal Syrups: A Fun and Effective Way to Enjoy Your Herbs

Herbal syrups are a wonderful and versatile way to incorporate the benefits of herbs into your daily routine, especially for herbs that might not taste great on their own. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re also a fun activity to do with children. From soothing cough syrups to calming blends, digestive aids, and even syrups to add a splash of flavor to sparkling water or cocktails, the possibilities are endless. Get creative and experiment with different herbs to suit your needs!

I love keeping syrups on hand in my refrigerator, ready to add to sparkling water for a delicious, refreshing beverage. Syrups can be made with honey or sugar, but my go-to is a honey-based syrup for its natural sweetness and additional health benefits. When making herbal syrups, it’s important to maintain a 1:1 ratio—one part herbal decoction to one part honey—to ensure proper preservation. If you prefer a less sweet syrup, be sure to keep it refrigerated and use it quickly. To extend the shelf life, you can add a small amount of vodka, grain alcohol, or even an herbal tincture.

Basic Herbal Syrup Recipe

Here’s a simple guide to making your own herbal syrup, suitable for any type of herb:

1. Prepare a Strong Decoction: Combine one ounce of herbs with 16 ounces of water. Simmer over low heat until the liquid is reduced by half.
2. Strain and Transfer: Pour the decoction into a sterilized jar to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.
3. Add Sweetener and Preservative:
   • For sweetness and preservation, add 50% honey. Alternatively, use a combination such as 25% honey and 25% glycerin, or 50% simple syrup (made by combining equal parts sugar and water).
   • To enhance preservation, add one tablespoon of vodka, brandy, grain alcohol, or an herbal tincture of your choice.
4. Storage: Store your syrup in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 months, depending on how it is preserved.

Calming Syrup Recipe

One of my favorite syrups is this calming blend, perfect for both kids and adults. It’s a soothing combination of lemon balm, chamomile, and passion flower, known for their relaxing and gentle effects.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh spring or filtered water
• ½ ounce dried or 1 ounce fresh lemon balm leaves
• ¼ ounce dried or ¾ ounce fresh chamomile flowers
• ¼ ounce dried or ¾ ounce fresh passion flower vine
• Optional: 1 tablespoon vodka for preservation

Method:

1. Place the lemon balm, chamomile, and passion flower into a pot.
2. Pour the water over the herbs and bring to a quick boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half.
3. Turn off the heat and strain the herbs.
4. Measure the remaining liquid (decoction) and add an equal amount of honey. For example, if you have one cup of decoction, add one cup of honey.
5. Optionally, add one tablespoon of vodka to preserve the syrup.
6. Store the syrup in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 months.

Enjoying Your Syrup

I love to mix this calming syrup with sparkling water for a delightful afternoon treat. You can also add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the mix for an extra refreshing drink, or stir the syrup into hot teas for a cozy and comforting beverage.

We’d love to hear how you enjoy this recipe! Let us know if you try it and share your experiences with us.

Note: This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a healthcare provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.