Abuzz with Honey

Just a shout out to Amy Bridge and the Harding Museum in Franklin Ohio, who set up and invited me to their Author series this past weekend.  It is such an amazing place, and they are doing some amazing activities every month.  I got to talk to a wonderful group and share information about how my new book came about and sign some copies.  It was so fun to talk about herbs with fellow herb lovers, and I got to buy a big bag of books at their used book sale that was going on then, too. Score!

After that was over, my mind turned to honey.  Since my canning for the year is done, having plenty of raw honey on hand for the upcoming winter season is pretty important.  Honey is healing in itself.  Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Eating a teaspoonful of honey a day can cut way down on allergies.  Good for coughs, it helps with digestive problems like diarrhea too.  On top of all that, it heals wounds and burns. But, if you combine healing herbs in your honey through infusion, your honey can pack a powerful punch.  I always have a few plain raw honey jars, and at least one herbal infused one to get me through the cold months.  If your family is larger, or you eat a lot of honey you will have to adjust your purchases accordingly.  

Here's how to easily infuse your honey.  Take a clean mason jar.  Pick out what dried herbs you want to use.  Lavender? Thyme?  Garlic?  Or a combination if you please.  I like to use Lemon thyme in mine.  Take a cheesecloth and make a tied bundle of about 1 cup dried herbs.  Place your bundle in the mason jar and pour the honey to cover the cheesecloth completely.  Seal the jar, and make sure to place the jar in a sunny window.  Shake gently daily.  The sun will gently warm the honey and the herbal goodness will soon infuse your honey while keeping the raw honey intact.  Let it sit at least three to six weeks.  After that, take the bundle out and squeeze tightly to make sure you get all the good stuff into the honey.

It is ready to use.  Depending on the herb used and the taste, you can add it to your tea, baked goods, use as a cough syrup, drizzle on biscuits, and much more.  Smear it on a cut, eat it daily to boost your immune system, or use it when you get sick.  So easy and so healing.

Nowadays we have to be aware that fake honeys are being marketed. Next week, we will discuss ways to tell if you are getting quality honey, how to properly store your honey and how to re-liquify it if it turns to solid (which raw honey can do). See you then!