How to Make Herb-Infused Honey

Herb-infused honey is easy to make and provides a tasty way to consume herbs that is pleasant for children and adults.

Herb-infused honey is also referred to as medicinal honey. It can be taken alone (by the teaspoon or tablespoon) or added to a warm cup of tea for a soothing drink.

Any honey can be used, however raw honey is my preference because it still contains many of the enzymes and beneficial properties that are often lost when honey is heated.

If you are able to buy honey in bulk, do it! Honey has many wonderful uses.

How to Make Herb-Infused Honey (Or Medicinal Honey)

Ingredients:

1 cup honey
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herb or 1 tablespoon of dried herb

Stove-top Method:

Pour honey into a small saucepan and warm over low heat. Once warmed through, add herbs and stir to distribute.

Leave honey/herb mixture over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes. (Don’t actually leave. You want to keep a watchful eye in case the honey boils or burns. It probably won’t, but it’s best to be cautious.)

You may then strain out the herbs, or keep them in. Leaving the herbs in the honey means they will continue to steep, allowing the preparation to get stronger over time. Herbs can then be strained our at time of use or left in.

If you choose to strain out the herbs before storing, a mesh strainer should work well, as long as you do so while the honey is still warm. If you want to remove as much of the herb as possible, strain through cheesecloth.

Pour honey into a canning jar and close tightly. Use within 18 months.

No-Heat Method:

Add herbs to a clean jar and pour honey over the top. Stir to combine.

Close with a tight fitting lid and allow honey and herbs to steep for one to two weeks in a sunny window. Turn jar over each day to re-distribute the herbs as they have a tendency to float to the top.

Strain or leave herbs as directed above.

Choosing Herbs for Medicinal Honey

Many herbs are well suited for use in honey, the following are simply a  few suggestions:

Lavender for calming, or restful sleep (excellent addition to a a cup of chamomile tea before bed)

Sage, or Osha root for coughs

Monarda to soothe sore throats

Elderberries to boost the immune system

Ginger to promote good circulation

Chamomile for calming the nerves

Many other herbs would work very well. Just be sure to research your herbal choices carefully as some herbs are not intended for internal use.

In the spirit of giving credit where credit is due: I first learned how to make herb-infused honey from Tammi Hartung’s book, Growing 101 Herbs that Heal.

What herbs would you choose for making medicinal honey?

Stacy is wife to a preacher and mom to three busy children. She strives to live a healthy, happy life with God at the helm. Stacy writes about finding peace and joy at home, on her blog: Delighting in the Days.