Fall Herb Pantry Reset
Lisa Purdy ND, MH, CNHP
The chill is in the air, are you ready for the winter season? Most of the garden is done, you have harvested your herbs, dried and stored them, now what? Today, I want to share with you the things that I make every year to be prepared. I wouldn’t want to be without them!
Super Tonic – Vinegar Tincture
1 cup each chopped: cayenne or habanero peppers, garlic, ginger, onion
1 jar prepared horseradish (you can grow your own and use fresh root, but it might drive you outside to process it in the blender…STRONG stuff!)
Apple cider vinegar
Place all ingredients into blender and cover with apple cider vinegar. Blend and place into glass jars, cover lid with plastic, cloth, or wax paper to protect from metal lid. Allow to set 2-4 weeks before straining off liquid into a tincture bottle. Or you may leave in the pulp, if desired. May be used immediately if needed. Will last 6 months in the refrigerator. Begin with ¼ tsp. daily to prevent illness or every two hours if really sick.
Mucus Relief Glycerin Tincture – My Grandchildren’s Favorite!
½ cup each: boneset, fennel, fenugreek, horseradish, mullein
2 cups glycerin & 3 cups distilled water, mixed together
Mix herbs together and place into jars, with lid protected by plastic. Cover with glycerine/water mixture. Allow to set 2-4 weeks, shaking daily. Or place jar in crock pot overnight on warm/low. If needed immediately, place mixture in top of a double boiler and simmer for 20 min. Strain and place into tincture bottle. May use a dropper daily or every 2 hours as needed to help with congestion and mucus. Lasts 2-3 years.
Echinacea Alcohol Tincture
Fill a jar halfway with dried echinacea root, more if fresh root. Cover with 80 proof vodka. Protect the metal lid with plastic. Shake daily. Allow to set 2-4 weeks. Strain and place in tincture bottles. Will last 10 or more years.
Elderberry Syrup
½ cup dried elderberries (1 cup fresh), 1 Tbsp fresh ginger – grated,
1 cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, and 2 cups water
Simmer about 20 minutes (reduce by half. Strain squashing berries. Add 1 cup honey to liquid. Bottle, store in refrigerator for up to 6 months. Take 1 tsp or more when flu symptoms start up to 3 Tbsp a day. Safe for children, but not infants because of honey.
Take time to go thru your herb pantry or herbal medicine chest. Check the dates and throw the old away. If your dried herb has no smell, taste, or color…then it is too old to use! Herbs are best used within a year, but many will last three years if kept in a cool, dark place and if they are well-sealed from oxygen. I like to use canning jars and you can extend the life of your herbs with a vacuum sealer.
Make a list of herbs, vitamins, and supplements that you need to replace in your pantry. I like to have immune supplements ready before I actually need them. I also like to keep some ready for the visit of grandchildren with a cough or runny nose. If you are looking to buy a few good things to have at the ready, stop by the shop and I will share some things that have worked for me.
Here are some of the ones on my list:
Colloidal Silver InX - Goldenseal
Wellness Formula Vitamin D
Bacteril Oregano Oil
SinuCare Congestease
Lung & Bronchial Manuka Honey
Oscillococcinum Vitamin C