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Herbs & Cultures

Herbal home remedies: tea, honey, tincture and salve

Herbal honey for colds and flu

Rosemary, elder and ginger in honey.

Used for

Time
Steep at least a week
Makes
One jar
Rosemary

The same method as the throat honey, with herbs traditionally taken for colds. A spoonful in warm water with lemon is a pleasant way to use it.

Ingredients

  • 1 part rosemary
  • 1 part elder (dried flowers or berries)
  • ½ part ginger
  • ½ part lemon balm
  • Honey (see the method)

Step by step

  1. Use clean, roughly chopped fresh herbs or dried herbs. Use as much honey as fresh herbs, or half as much herb if you use dried herb. (It also works with tinctures: as much honey as tincture.)
  2. Put the herbs in a clean jar with a lid.
  3. Warm the honey slightly, without letting it boil, pour it over the herbs and stir slowly.
  4. Close tightly, label with the date and leave to steep for at least a week, preferably a month or longer. Stir well before first use.
  5. Take 1–2 tablespoons a day until the complaints fade, neat, in tea or in warm lemon water.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 2

    Rosemary

    Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

    An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 21

    Elderberry

    Sambucus nigra

    Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
  • 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

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.