Syrups have easily become one of my favorite ways to take herbs. I formulated a delicious, peppermint-bark tasting Elderberry syrup over the winter - but now it's Spring, and local, native Spanish Needle is making her return everywhere in my backyard, and she's been calling me. With the New Moon approaching this afternoon, I've been feeling really creative and decided it was a good time to whip up a batch of syrup again.
This time, I decided to add Spanish Needle to the brew.
This beautiful. constantly blooming plant is an herbal power-house. She is anti-bacterial and anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and even mildly analgesic... What that means is that she's great for preventing sickness, giving your immune system a boost, and dulling any painful cold or flu like symptoms you currently have. I combined fresh Biden's leaves with Elderberries (of which there is significant research on their ability to treat the flu) and Elecampane, an anti-septic herb that I find tasty, but many don't (so it's optional!) Better yet, both Spanish Needle and Elder grow wild in Orlando, and are in abundance (for now!). So get your scissors, turn on the stove, and ask Bidens for a few of her leaves.
Spanish Needle Spring-Time Syrup Recipe
- Bring one 1 qt water to a boil, then add
- 2 oz Elderberries (dried)
- 2 oz Spanish Needle leaves (fresh)
- 1 oz Peppermint lf (dried)
- 1 oz Elecampane root (dried) (optional, if not, add 1 oz of another herb)
- Allow this to simmer for 45-60 minutes, then let steep overnight
- In the morning, strain your tea, and bring it to room temperature
- Then add
- 1/2 - 1 cup raw honey (not for babies under 2 years old!)
- 1-2 oz tincture (I use Echinacea, but you could use Reishi, Rose Hip, Astragalus, etc)
- 2 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 1/4-1/2 cup fresh Lemon juice or raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- Mix together, and store in the refrigerator for ~6 months.
Whenever I'm feeling run down or like my immune system is becoming compromised, I sip on 1/4 a cup of this as needed. It's delicious in sparkling water (with strawberry simple syrup!), or drank on its own. You can use it as an immune booster, or a sore-throat soother (along with Mullein).
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