Herbs & Cultures

From plant to use

Syrup, honey and oxymel

Preserving herbs in sugar, honey or vinegar.

Herbs prepared this way (112)

Level: Intermediate
Ratio: Syrup: roughly equal weights of sugar or honey and liquid. Oxymel: about 1 part honey to 1–3 parts apple cider vinegar.
Time: Syrup: about an hour. Herbal honey and oxymel: steep for 2–4 weeks.
Shelf life: Syrup keeps in the fridge for weeks to months, depending on the amount of sugar. Oxymel and herbal honey keep cool for several months.

A syrup is a strong infusion or decoction with a lot of sugar or honey dissolved in it. In an herbal honey the herb steeps directly in the honey, and an oxymel is a mixture of honey and vinegar. All three soften a bitter taste and keep longer. Elderberry syrup and the oxymel of ancient Greek medicine are well-known examples.

Suited to

Berries, flowers, roots and aromatic herbs, especially when the taste is strong or bitter.

Step by step

Make a strong infusion or decoction and strain it.
Let it cool a little and dissolve the sugar or honey while stirring. Add honey only below 40 °C to best preserve its flavour.
Bottle immediately in sterilised bottles.
For oxymel: put the herb in a jar, pour honey and vinegar over it and close with a non-metal lid. Shake daily and strain after a few weeks.

Tips

Elderberries must always be heated: raw or unripe berries are poisonous.
Dried herbs in honey are less likely to ferment than fresh ones.

Registry

Herbs prepared this way

Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.

Caution
Asia · Food · № 272
Apricot
Prunus armeniaca
Traditionally attributed effects: cough-suppressing, astringent, antibacterial, pain-relieving, diuretic, anti-inflammatory; wild cherry suppresses cough.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 347
Mexican marigold
Tagetes erecta
Traditionally attributed effects: curbs sebum in oily skin, calms and prevents dehydration in dry skin, hydrates and keeps wrinkles at bay in combination skin; spiritual symbol of inner fire.
Curanderismo+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 523
Corn mint
Mentha arvensis
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, carminative, stimulating, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, antiseptic, stomachic, cooling, diuretic; leaf juice for diarrhoea and dysentery, tea for rheumatism and indigestion.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 79
Elecampane
Inula helenium
The root is traditionally used for productive coughs and bronchitis; it is rich in inulin. Clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+4
Caution
South America · Food · № 916
Algarrobo (Peruvian mesquite)
Neltuma pallida (syn. Prosopis pallida)
A thorny tree of the pea family, related to mesquite, with sweet pods full of sugars. With its deep roots the tree holds the dry forest together.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Caution
Asia · Food · № 223
Almond
Prunus dulcis
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 374
Amaranth
Amaranthus spp.
Traditionally attributed effects: flowers, leaf and root strongly antiseptic; wound healing.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 997
American persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
A tree of the ebony family, related to the kaki. Unripe, the orange fruits are so astringent that they pucker the mouth, but after the first frost they are sweet and soft. They are rich in vitamin C. Bark and unripe fruits contain many tannins.
Cherokee medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 349
Amla
Phyllanthus emblica
Traditionally attributed effects: fresh fruit cooling, diuretic, laxative, stomachic; bark astringent; for lung and eye inflammation, hair growth, asthma, bronchitis, bile complaints, bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, anaemia, jaundice.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Food · № 84
Apple
Malus domestica
A fruit rich in fibre such as pectin; grated apple is an old home remedy for mild diarrhoea. No specific medicinal effect has been proven.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 371
Gum arabic (acacia)
Acacia senegal
A soluble fibre that forms a mucilaginous solution in water. It soothes the throat and stomach and is being studied as a prebiotic; it can cause wind and bloating. There is no evidence that it treats viral infections such as HPV.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 17
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
An Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Some preparations have been studied for stress and sleep, but evidence is limited and products vary.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 401
Indian atees
Aconitum heterophyllum
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, astringent, fever-reducing, stomachic, aphrodisiac; for weakness after fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, cough, indigestion; in children against cough, colds, fever and vomiting.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 526
Spanish cherry
Mimusops elengi
Traditionally attributed effects: expels worms, antihistamine, astringent, aromatic, strengthens the heart, tonic, fever-reducing; for catarrh of the bladder and urethra, fever, gum and tooth diseases, leucoderma, heart disease, snake bites, chronic dysentery.
Ayurveda
Caution
North America · Herb · № 574
Balsam poplar
Populus balsamifera
Traditionally attributed effects: buds: stimulating, tonic, diuretic, soothing, expectorant; bark: expectorant, laxative; for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), dry cough, constipation, kidney/bladder support, rheumatism and gout.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 431
Porcupine flower
Barleria prionitis
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, diuretic, tonic, fever-reducing; catarrh in children, prevents cracked feet, bleeding gums, toothache, ear infection, oedema, whooping cough, snake bites.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 67
Borage
Borago officinalis
The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.
Western herbal medicine+2
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 413
Pellitory root
Anacyclus pyrethrum
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes salivation, strengthens the nerves; for toothache and caries, sore throat, tonsillitis, epilepsy, rheumatism.
Ayurveda+3
Caution
North America · Herb · № 372
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
Europe · Food · № 255
Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent; for damp stomach and bowel complaints, diarrhoea, mucus; syrup or liqueur against sore throat.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 627
California spikenard
Aralia californica
Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold and fever without sweating, warms the lung and stops cough with abundant white or clear phlegm, and (roasted with honey) strengthens the energy of lung and spleen.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 572
Chinese jujube
Zizyphus vulgaris
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, lowers blood sugar, soothing, soothing to the chest.
Ayurveda+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 558
Chiretta
Swertia chirata
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter tonic, stomachic, expels worms, laxative, cleansing, antidiarrhoeal, antipyretic; for intermittent fever, skin diseases, intestinal worms, asthma, hiccups and vomiting, gout; scorpion stings.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 124
Chrysanthemum (ju hua)
Chrysanthemum × morifolium
The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 85
Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
Traditionally used for restlessness, sleep problems and a nervous stomach; externally for cold sores. Small studies suggest a mild calming effect, but evidence is limited.
Monastic and folk knowledge+7Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 471
Crepe ginger
Costus speciosus
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, astringent, stimulating, aids digestion, expels worms, cleansing, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory; for fever with catarrh, cough, indigestion, worms, skin diseases, snake bites.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 188
Maple
Acer spp.
Maple syrup is the boiled-down sap of the sugar maple. It consists mainly of sugar and some minerals, such as manganese; it is a sweetener, not a medicine.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 118
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
Caution
Europe · Food · № 90
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
The fruit is a nutritious berry. Raspberry leaf has been used in folk medicine in late pregnancy to ease labour; convincing evidence is lacking.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 1
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
Ayurveda+6Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 700
Genkwa flower (yuan hua)
Daphne genkwa
Traditionally attributed effects: was used as a strong fluid-draining remedy in chronic fluid accumulation in chest and abdomen.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 37
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
There is no conclusive evidence that ginkgo helps any health condition. A modest effect on dementia symptoms is possible, but results are inconsistent.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 344
Cardamom
Elettaria cardamomum
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, pungent, strengthens the heart, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, carminative; for asthma, bronchitis, haemorrhoids, bladder complaints, flatulence, cramps from laxatives, dizziness, indigestion, vomiting.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 144
Guduchi (giloy)
Tinospora cordifolia
In Ayurveda a rejuvenating remedy (rasayana) for fevers and the immune system. Studies are small; it has no proven effect against infections.
Ayurveda+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 87
Cowslip
Primula veris
The root contains saponins and is traditionally used to loosen phlegm in coughs; the flowers as a calming tea. There is some research on combination cough preparations.
Monastic and folk knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 139
Haritaki and triphala
Terminalia chebula
Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.
Ayurveda+3