Herbal syrups

Herbal syrups are easy and delicious to make and can be used for an array of conditions. Over the long weekend my little boy came down with conjunctivitis, a head cold and an ear infection. The poor little thing was crawling around squeaking due to a raw throat. He really is a trooper though and managed quite well despite it all. So i decided to whip up a classic herbal syrup to soothe his throat and upset tummy.

~Marshmallow root, chamomile and dill seed syrup~

 1 t dried dill seed to soothe an upset stomach and 'lull and calm fractious children' - a quote i will always remember from my studies.

 Half a handful of dried marshmallow root to soothe and coat the throat and digestive system. Marshmallow root becomes very very slimy when boiled. It sometimes tries to escape your spoon! But this makes it perfect for sore throats and sore tummies.

 3 t dried chamomile flowers to soothe and calm. Also good for soothing the digestive system and easing into sleep.

 Put into a pot with 2 C of water 

Simmer for about 20 mins or until reduced by about half

Strain. You now have a strong herb decoction. 

 Return to the pot and add 2/3C sugar and simmer for about 15mins until it reaches a gelling point.

I test the gelling point by dropping some of the syrup onto a cold plate. Leave for 30seconds and then run your finger through it. It should gel stick to your finger. Now its all ready, you have syrup! Allow to cool and pour into a clean jar, cover and store in the fridge for up to a month. A bit of this cold from the fridge is bliss on a sore throat and is quite well recieved from the little ones who think it is just a treat.

Adults - Take 1t up to 3 times a day as required.

Children under 5- 1/4t up to 3 times a day but remember there is a lot of sugar in this!

If you found yourself needing to use it more a herbal tea might be a better option.

Please note i make a stronger decoction for syrups than i would to drink. This syrup can also be made with any of the herbs used on thier own. 

 Always make sure you source your herbs from a reputable source so the quality is good and they have been correctly identified. Not all herbs are used in the same quantities and not all are safe for children so it's important to do consult a medical profession if unsure.

Take care people.

This day

What a week it's been, it's been 3 whole days since i last checked in! Sometimes life just fills your days so tight theres only room for a cup of tea in the day. Finally some peace today to just be at home and move quietly through my day with my son at my side. A lovely day it was too.

                                                       More herbs in baskets for drying.

                                                   Basil and Frankincense oils in the burner

                                        Messing up the kitchen cooking up some granola bars

Another wholefood kitchen recipe, ive altered this a little and added sunflower seeds instead of rice bubbles which i think adds beautiful colour and flavour. Half topped with chocolate chips and the other half topped with chopped dates. yummy.

More herb infusions. Today it was dandelion root, chamomile flowers, nettles and peppermint to soothe and aching tummy.

Loving wearing my apron for all my mess making and cleaning up. I can understand why housewives used to put one on first thing in the morning and wear it all day when they were cleaning. So practical, im thinking a nice 1960's style wrap apron might be on the plan for a sewing project.

                                   Tracing out an applique pattern, including 64 leaves!

The finished granola bars looking delicious. 

I should not have put these in a clear container! They just look too good. 

Finally a chicken, rosemary and tomato stew is in the oven cooking for my dinner.

Nearly done! Time for tea and to put my feet up.

Take care people xx

Home sweet smelling home

I love a good scent. The right scent can lift your day and make you feel peaceful or invigorated or calm and relaxed. Aromatherapy is a long time passion of mine and i love to mix a scent to suit my day. I love the traditional cottage scents of rose, lavendar and lily of the valley. They bring back wonderful memories of childhood and my grandparents. I also really enjoy earthy scents of patchouli, sandalwood, myrrh and basil, they make me feel so grounded and relaxed. With this love of scents comes a bounty of beautifully scented gifts such as soaps, potpourri's, creams and oils, all of which i love and indulge in. I also often get given reed diffusers and my home is beautifully scented for about a month. But at the end of that month i'm often left with an empty bottle and reeds which get thrown out. It seems like such a waste so this month i thought i would try making my own reed diffuser scent.
So a quick discussion with Mr Google turned up a few options. Many recipes call for mineral oil which sounds like the best option but i didn't have any available so i thought i would try an alternative.

                                          Almond oil, alcohol and rose and lavender essential oils.

                                                                    A good mix

                                                            And some ribbon for prettiness

And its all done, the scent is quite pleasant but i'm not sure the scent will last, i made it a couple of days ago and the scent doesn't seem to diffuse the way the bought one did. I'm thinking maybe i do need to use a lighter oil like mineral oil next time. In the meantime a quick stir helps release the scent, so not too bad for a first go!
Bye for now xx

Squirrelling

This week i have really had the feeling that autumn is on it's way. We had a few terribly hot days followed by heavy rain today. Even when the weather is a bit all over the place i still enjoy the variety living in the New Zealand climate brings. While it was raining today i was thinking longingly about wet cold days tucked up inside with a warm roaring fire watching the rain through the windows. So in the past few weeks with autumn coming upon us i've started packing things away for winter. Preserving carrys on with tomatoes on the agenda this week. But today was time to pack away some herbs i've had drying for winter cooking and infusions.

Thyme, Sage and Calendula were packed into jars and into the newly tidied pantry. Sage and Thyme are good for cooking, but Calendula and Sage are also good for infusions. I love Sage infusions for a sore throat they are nothing short of magic. There is still a lot more drying to do so i'll be out with the baskets on the next fine day to do a bit more picking so i can squirrel plenty away for winter. Are you doing any preparing for winter? Until tomorrow, Take care people xx

Mother's little helper

No this isn't a post about coffee, alcohol or illicit drugs. I know, disappointing isn't it? (just to clarify yes that was sarcasm!) This is about something a little more socially acceptable which helps me through a stressful day. Some good quality dried chamomile....

Combined with these beautiful dried rosebuds, makes for a light fragrant tea to soothe the nerves.

Time to take a few minutes out while the baby is sleeping to rest and recharge. Blessings xx