You Put 'What' On Your Pancakes?
- Sara Burden
- Dec 15, 2020
- 3 min read
We all know and love that sticky, sweet pancake topper that you use in the mornings: syrup! Well, we aren't here to talk about syrup or that syrup, at least. Here is where you will learn about one of our favorite herbal syrups.
We have attached a link to a beautiful page explaining what an herbal syrup is and how to prepare them for those unfamiliar with herbal syrups.
For those of you who are already familiar with herbal syrups, let's get to it!
In the spirit of the Holiday Season, we have decided to make cranberries the star of our herbal syrup. Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
3 Cups of distilled water.
2 Cups of fresh cranberries (preferably organic).
1/4 Cup of Ashwagandha (dried or powdered).
1 Tbsp. of ground cinnamon.
1 Tsp. dried ginger or 1 Tbsp. fresh grated ginger.
Honey (enough to get it to your desired thickness).
Apple Cider Vinegar (to taste).
Cookware:
1 large pot.
1 and 1/4 measuring cups.
1 Tbsp. and 1 tsp. measuring spoons.
1 spoon (to stir).
A fine mesh strainer.
Stove (or heating burner of some kind).
Directions:
Pour distilled water into the large pot and add your cranberries, ginger, cinnamon, and Ashwagandha. Bring to a simmer with the lid partially on, and simmer until decoction has reduced to about half of its original amount.
Grab your fine mesh strainer and strain out the pulp (from the cranberries) or remnants of your other herbs.
Once you have strained your decoction, place it back on your burner, and add your honey. *Normally, you would use a 2:1 ratio (decoction: honey/sugar). So, for every 2 cups of decoction, you would use 1 cup of honey/sugar.*
Slowly dissolve your honey into your decoction until your mixture has thickened.
Once your mixture has thickened, add Apple Cider Vinegar to taste and set aside to cool.
After you have let your mixture cool, store it in an airtight jar/bottle and place it in the fridge.
*Your syrup should last for up to two weeks in the fridge, if stored correctly.*
Benefits of our Holiday Syrup:
Cranberries:
While cranberries are used in many holiday foods/treats, they provide many medicinal benefits that are not commonly known. Cranberries contain constituents such as flavonols, anthocyanidins, ascorbic-acid, and tocopherols (TRC, 2020). All listed plant constituents provide anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects, making cranberries an excellent cold-fighting fruit!
Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that is commonly found in dry areas of the Middle East. This evergreen shrub provides adaptogenic effects, which are theorized to help the body fight psychological and physiological stressors ( TRC, 2020). The ability to fight stressors will, in turn, increase the body's immune function.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon, a spice commonly used in many holiday dishes (just like cranberries), imparts many medicinal qualities unknown to most. According to The Therapeutic Research Center, cinnamon contains Cinnamaldehyde (a constituent found in the volatile oil of cinnamon), which provides antibacterial effects against common gastrointestinal infections (2020).
Ginger:
Ginger, a plant native to Asia's warmer parts, is known for its analgesic and anthelmintic effects (TRC, 2020). Both mechanisms of action (of ginger) provide increased function and health of the Gastrointestinal System.
The addition of ginger to any syrup, tea, or dish will provide an added boost for your Gastrointestinal System.
All-in-all:
First (or last) of all, we just wanted to thank you all for being a part of our journey and taking an interest in our passion for health and wellness. We hope you try out our recipe after reading this, and it makes you feel as lively as it makes us feel!
Stay healthy, and stay wonderful.
Love,
The Vodou Wellness family
References:
Fresh Direct. (2020). Organic Cranberries. Retrieved from https://www.freshdirect.com/pdp.jsp?productId=fru_org_crbrry&catId=fru_br_whole
Justis, A. (January). How to Make an Herbal Syrup. Retrieved from https://theherbalacademy.com/herbal-syrup/
TRC. (2020). NATURAL MEDICINES. Retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/
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