Herbal syrups are a pleasant way to take your "herbal meds", especially when an alchohol-based tincture isn't warranted, and/or the herb is to bitter and unpalatable.
An herbal syrup is simply a strong tea or decotion mixed with sugar or honey. Honey is a natural preservative and is preferred, because it will help the syrup keep longer. Here, I am using Stinging Nettle (Urtica. dioica) I harvested to make a new batch of herbal syrup. Stinging nettle has many medicianl uses.
Stinging nettle root is used for urination problems related to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]). These problems include nighttime urination, too frequent urination, painful urination, inability to urinate, and irritable bladder.
Stinging nettle root is also used for joint ailments, as a diuretic, and as an astringent.
Stinging nettle above ground parts are used along with large amounts of fluids in so-called "irrigation therapy" for urinary tract infections (UTI), urinary tract inflammation, and kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). The above-ground parts are also used for allergies, hayfever, and osteoarthritis.
Some people use the above ground parts of stinging nettle for internal bleeding, including uterine bleeding, nosebleeds, and bowel bleeding. The above ground parts are also used for anemia, poor circulation, an enlarged spleen, diabetes and other endocrine disorders, stomach acid, diarrhea and dysentery, asthma, lung congestion, rash and eczema, cancer, preventing the signs of aging, "blood purification," wound healing, and as a general tonic.
Stinging nettle above ground parts are applied to the skin for muscle aches and pains, oily scalp, oily hair, and hair loss (alopecia).
In foods, young stinging nettle leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable.
In manufacturing, stinging nettle extract is used as an ingredient in hair and skin products.
Stinging nettle leaf has a long history of use. It was used primarily as a diuretic and laxative in ancient Greek times.
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Below is how you make an herbal syrup:
2 C dried herb (Stinging Nettle [Uritica dioica])
1-1/2 C Honey/Sugar
3 C water
1). In a medium pot with a lid
2). Bring water and herbs to a rolling boil
3). Cover pot and reduce heat and simmer for approx. 20min or longer (to reduce liquid if desired)
4). Let steep for an additional 20min
5). Strain liquid from plant material. The liquid is now your decotion.
6). Pour liquid back into pot
7). If using honey, very gently heat until the honey just dissolves being careful not to boil the syrup. This helps to preserve the beneficial, naturally occurring enzymes in the honey.
8). If using sugar you have the option of bringing the syrup up to a gentle boil and simmering for up to an additional 30 minutes to thicken the syrup further. Or you can simply reheat the syrup enough to easily dissolve the sugar.
9). Finish up by placing your syrup in clean, sterile bottles. Add a label including the ingredients and the date you created your syrup.
10). Be sure to label your bottles; name, what's in it, and date
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Citations:
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-664/stinging-nettle
https://theherbalacademy.com/herbal-syrup/
