Infusing Honey
While at the Rolling Fork WMA, I stumbled across from Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea).
Now, this isn’t a plant I have use regularly. I have noticed that it makes an appearance in children’s herbal cough formulas available as Walmart/Target etc.
Its its kind of a expectorant that can soothe spasms (its mildly aromatic) and then can help dry excess moisture in the lungs.
Its not really used much but this is where the non alcohol apothecary and the way we infused herbs into everything can benefit us.
Infused Honey
By infused Ground ivy into honey (even just a small jar), we can add that honey to teas/infusions when we need it.
To make an infused honey -
Wilt your plants for a few hours (this helps remove water content which can cause infused honeys to spoil)
Warm up honey *slightly*, I have found this gives me more control in my pour AND can help release of the volatile oils a bit more into the honey.
Add wilted plants to the jar and pour honey over, using a spoon/stick to push down the herbs as they rise to ensure air bubbles are released.
Cover, label, and store in a cool dry spot.
Many times I don’t even remove the herbs from my honey but in making things like Ginger honey (with fresh Ginger), I do find that it needs to be strained.
The honey we regularly have in the home (besides Ground Ivy which is a new one in 2024)
Lemon balm
Garlic
Ginger (mainly because my 15 year old really likes it)
Elderflower
Yarrow
Bee balm
With these, I can usually handle all sorts of ailments we stumble upon. Other ideas that I may try this year
Passionflower infused honey for nighttime teas
Wound recovery honey (yarrow, comfrey, & calendula) for helping larger wounds that may leave scars.
As herbal pastilles and electuaries are made with honey as bases, this is also a great reason to keep infused honeys at the ready. We make marshmallow pastilles every fall and they would pair quite well with a bee balm, elderflower, or horehound honey.
I order honey from Azure. I have a honey guy at the farmers market but for the amount of honey we use, I just can’t afford it.
We are adding bees to the land in the next year which in addition to the pollination benefits, will give us some honey and beeswax.
I used to buy from a natural health food store under their label until I realized their packaging just said “packaged in XYZ” and never said anything about where the honey was produced which was really shady to me.
Let me know what kind of honey you want to make!
Grow Seed,
Jacqueline