How to Make Honey-Free Herbal Syrups

Unlike like a spoonful of bitter medicine, a spoonful of herbal syrup can be a much more pleasant way of getting the goodness and health benefits of herbs.

Many recipes for herbal syrups out there include honey which is off-limits to many plant-based eaters. There are, however, some simple plant-based substitutes that you can use to replace the honey at a ratio of 1:1. Once you have your honey replacement, you should be able to follow most recipes for herbal syrups.

Herbal syrups don’t just have to be used as medicines. You can play with your favorite herbs to make syrups for ice cream, pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, cups of tea, or even in a hot toddy.

Make a Decoction

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The first task in making a herbal syrup is to make a decoction. This is like an incredibly strong tea. To make a decoction, collect together the herbs that you want to use to make your syrup. If you have coarse ingredients like dried berries or cinnamon bark, add these things to the pot before you add more delicate petals and leaves.

For 1/2- 1 cup of dried herbs, use about a quart of water. Add everything to a pot and bring it to a simmer. Keep simmering until the water had reduced to half its amount. Remove the pot from the heat and add any remaining leaves or flowers and allow the mixture to sit for up to an hour.

If you are using only petals and flowers, bring the herb/water mixture to a simmer as per the instruction above for coarse herbs. Once the decoction has cooled, strain out the herbs. You may use the back of a spoon to press out as much goodness from the herbs as possible.

Compile Your Herbal Syrup

A herbal syrup comes in many ratios. It actually depends on how sweet or sticky you like your syrup. You may play and adjust the ratios to suit your liking. However, a good starting point is to use a ratio of 1 part decoction to 1 part sugar.

You may use simple vegan sugar or other honey substitutes such as coconut sugar or maple syrup. Add your strained decoction back to the pot with your sugar and bring it to a boil. Once it has boiled, reduce it to a simmer and continuously stir until the desired thickness is reached. This could be up to 30 minutes. If you have used granulated sugar, you will need to make sure that the granules have completely dissolved. You should know that vegan syrups tend to be runnier than honey-based ones.

Once cooled, pour your syrup into a clean glass container, label it with the date you made it, and store it in the fridge. The higher the sugar content, the longer life it will have.

Great Herbs for Making Syrups

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As well as being delicious, these herbs and spices make excellent herbal syrups that can be used medicinally or in the kitchen.

• Ginger- Ginger contains gingerol, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It is also used to help alleviate symptoms of nausea and can help with digestion.
• Licorice root- Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a root commonly found in herbal teas. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is high in antioxidants. It has been used traditionally to soothe sore throats.
• Elderberry- Elderberries are used to help Support the immune system and reduce flu symptoms. They are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants. Research elderberries well before using them. They should not be eaten raw.
• Cloves- Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are a good source of manganese and vitamin K but little else nutrient-wise. They are, however, high in antioxidants and are naturally antimicrobial and warming.
• Cinnamon- Cinnamon is a great source of calcium, iron, and manganese. It is loaded with antioxidants and is naturally anti-inflammatory. It may help fight bodily infections and repair tissue damage. Its aroma is said to help improve mood.
• Echinacea- Echinacea (Echinacea pupurea) is famously used to Support the immune system. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. As well as being a preventative supplement, some research suggests that it can decrease the duration of cold and flu symptoms.

This is for informational purposes only. Do your own research on individual herbs and be aware of allergy information. Always consult a medical professional before using herbs medicinally. 

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