Cinnamon and Elder ~ Make your own herbal syrup!
Cinnamon ~ We all know and love cinnamon- using it to cook, flavor coffee, making cinnamon toast, etc. But did you know it was also medicinal? This plant naturally grows in China and has a very hot, dry, pungent- very YANG in it's energetic qualities. It is also full of essential oils, iron, magnesium, zinc, and tannins. Some of the actions and properties are it numbs pain, expectorant, is an anti-fungal, -bacterial, -viral; aromatic, cardiac stimulant, circulatory stimulant, digestive, vassodiolator, antioxidant, and many more. This is good for high blood pressure, to dry out dampness, stimulate digestion, poor circulation and skin issues, people who are always cold, appetite loss, atrthritis gas/indigestion, bad breath, hypertension, irregular menstration and is a great blood sugar balancer.
Elder ~ This is also known as black berries blood, elder fever tree, the tree of medicine and music - latin name Sambuca Nigra. This tree is thought to be very sacred and a symbol of birth and death. This is a great YIN tonic as it is cool dry sweet and bitter. It contains flavanoids, essential oils, phytosterols, tannins, Vitamin C, iron, alkaloids and beta carotene. The juice of the berryhas been used for over 2000 years to treat colds, cough and flus and hospitals used the elderberry jam to increase appetiate, digestion, vitamin C and mineral intake. The flower of the plant is an altrative, anti-catarrh, -inflammatory, -rhumotic, -septic, -diaphoretic and -spasmodic; also a decongestant, expectorant and carminative. The berry has the same properties as well as being anti-viral, a laxative, and nervine restorative. This plant is great for preventing viruses from penetrating the cellular membranes, for detoxification, congestion, clear up heat and infection in the body, asthma, colds, fever, and respiratory infection. The raw berries need to be cooked or dried, avoid the bark and root.
Make your own medicine/herbal syrup from these!
How to using Honey (can also use pure maple, molasses, etc):
If you like, try these additions:
Elder ~ This is also known as black berries blood, elder fever tree, the tree of medicine and music - latin name Sambuca Nigra. This tree is thought to be very sacred and a symbol of birth and death. This is a great YIN tonic as it is cool dry sweet and bitter. It contains flavanoids, essential oils, phytosterols, tannins, Vitamin C, iron, alkaloids and beta carotene. The juice of the berryhas been used for over 2000 years to treat colds, cough and flus and hospitals used the elderberry jam to increase appetiate, digestion, vitamin C and mineral intake. The flower of the plant is an altrative, anti-catarrh, -inflammatory, -rhumotic, -septic, -diaphoretic and -spasmodic; also a decongestant, expectorant and carminative. The berry has the same properties as well as being anti-viral, a laxative, and nervine restorative. This plant is great for preventing viruses from penetrating the cellular membranes, for detoxification, congestion, clear up heat and infection in the body, asthma, colds, fever, and respiratory infection. The raw berries need to be cooked or dried, avoid the bark and root.
Make your own medicine/herbal syrup from these!
How to using Honey (can also use pure maple, molasses, etc):
- make a strong tea or decoction of the desired herb (or more than one)
- strain, measure the liquid and put into one pot
- add 2 times the volume of honey, stir continuously, heating until the mixture if fully blended- do not boil or put on super high heat
- remove hot syrup and pour into jars or bottles
- cap tightly and store in cool dry dark place
If you like, try these additions:
- tinctures
- flower essences
- fruit syrups
- essential oils (edible ones)
- brandy
- vinegar- apple cider is good
- glycerin