 | I had the extreme honor and joy to go hog wild making glycerite after glycerite this summer with fresh organic and wild-crafted herbs. What are glycerites? |
| Glyerites are made from glycerine. Glycerine is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid that is very sweet tasting and resembles the consistency of thick syrup. Vegetable glycerine is produced from plant oils which can include palm oil, soy or coconut oil. Some glycerine is made with animal fat, but I have chosen to use a high food grade quality vegetable based glycerine. Glycerine metabolizes more slowly than sucrose. It has a zero glycemic index which means it doesn’t raise blood sugar. It is used as a sweetener in low carb foods. One other benefit is that it doesn’t contribute to bacterial tooth decay. Glycerine is used to make sweet, alcohol free herbal extracts that are safe for children, animals and those who are sensitive to alcohol. How did this passion begin? During my 2013 Herbal Apprenticeship we learned how to make glycerites one afternoon. We got to taste several different flavors and I was hooked. It was like eating candy, only I knew there were many healing benefits to this sweet treat. I could think of nothing better to make than the sweet tasting flowers and herbs that bless our gardens and paths with their intoxicating aromas in the warm spring and summer months. Everything from lilacs to red clover, jasmine and honeysuckle, lavender, violet and sweet, sweet rosa rugosa (roses). And who could forget the lovely peppermint, spearmint, catnip and lemon balm. Peppermint, spearmint and lemon balm are wonderful digestives and will help to ease and soothe an aching stomach due to gas, bloating or over-eating. Catnip is wonderful for dealing with insomnia. Elderflower and honeysuckle are great to use during the winter months for colds and flu as they are both anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Honeysuckle is also a natural anti-biotic and is anti-inflammatory. Elder flowers help to boost the immune system, aid respiratory disturbances and sinus issues. Violet glycerite is a good source of Vitamin C, helps reduce coughs, internal inflammation and is anti-septic. After tasting a handful of my home made glycerites, one of my friends said she felt like she had just swallowed a garden. Glycerites are great to take on their own, 2-3 drops on the tongue several times a day is the normal dosage. They can be added to tea as medicine or simply to add some sweetness to your brew. For animals, you can add a couple of drops to their water. Keep your bottles in a cool, dark place. So if you are in need of some medicine for that stubborn winter cold or have a belly ache, are in the mood to treat yourself to a lovely cup of tea with a splash of your favorite smelling flower or are simply in the mood for a reminder of the sweetness of summer and all the glory that is waiting to blossom, do try a glycerite. Winter special: Buy any three glycerites for $39.00, normally $45.00. www.onecosmicheart.net | |
RSS Feed