I can't stress honey's advantages enough! Honey is a super-healer, capable of enhancing endurance, lowering muscle tiredness, and being the ideal treatment for the majority of illnesses. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants that lowers the risk of cancer and heart disease, can be found in abundance in honey.
Additionally, it lessens gastrointestinal problems like ulcers. Both fungus and bacteria are resistant to honey. As a result, it is effective at relieving a cough or sore throat. The following recipes for various honey infusions are crucial for your health.
Lemon Honey Infusion
This my personal favorite honey infusion for colds. I discovered it during my stay in India. The lemon in the infusion helps loosen phlegm while the honey soothes all forms of irritation. If you are drowning in the cold, I suggest you try out this infusion.
You will need:
- 1 cup of honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Tea Bags
- Glass Jar with Lid
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups
- Knife
- Double boiler
Directions:
- First, make sure your lemon zest has been grated from a well-washed lemon. Doing this will prevent bacteria from entering the honey.
- Place the lemon zest inside a tea bag. This will allow the honey to soak in the aromatic flavors and also allow for easy removal when you are done. You can also toss in a few slices of lemon to boost the flavor.
- Next, set up your double boiler and pour 1 cup of honey into it. Add the lemon tea bag to the honey. Heat your honey until it reaches a temperature of 185 degrees F and let it steep at this temperature for ten minutes.
- Now, transfer the honey from the boiler to a bowl and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Gently remove the tea bag from the honey. Pour the honey into a sterilized jar and screw on the lid.
Cinnamon-Honey Infusion
This is my overall favorite honey infusion, and it can even be spread on toast. Cinnamon is an excellent source of anti-oxidants. Cinnamon has also been used to treat health conditions like diabetes, candida, weight loss, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Toenail Fungus, Parkinson’s, stomach flu and much more.
Cinnamon is anti-fungal, which helps clear sinuses and congestions. When it is infused in honey, it’s been shown to greatly lower cholesterol levels. Most people wonder where I get my sweet cinnamon sticks from. I get them from mountain rose herbs.
You will need:
- 1 cup of honey
- 4-6 sticks of cinnamon
- a pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
Directions:
- Put your cinnamon sticks into a double boiler and add 1 cup of honey. If you don’t have a double boiler, feel free to use a saucepan.
- Allow the cinnamon to steep in the honey for about 2 hours. Then remove the honey from the heat.
- If you wish to strain it, pour it through a small strainer to remove the cinnamon from the honey. You can now store in a glass jar.
Ginger-Honey Infusion
While in India, I observed that ginger is mostly used in Ayurvedic medicine. Ginger helps clear up your sinuses and improves digestion. In this infusion, the ginger helps flush out toxins and boosts circulation.
You will need:
- 1 cup – honey
- 1 tablespoon – fresh ginger root, peeled and julienned
Directions:
- Pour one cup of honey into a double boiler, then add the ginger. Bring the water to a boil and bring the honey to 185 degrees F. Leave it at that temperature for 10 minutes.
- Now remove it from the heat and let it cool for another 10 minutes. You can either strain the infusion immediately or leave it for 2 hours or up to 2 weeks in a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid.
Clove-Honey
My herbalist friend told me that cloves are a great remedy for toothaches. All you need do us place a few cloves in your mouth and moisten them with saliva until they soften.
Then gently grind them between your non-painful molars in order to release their pain-relieving oil. The honey present in this infusion helps heal any mouth sore while keeping the bad bacteria out.
You will need:
- 1 cup of honey
- 7 whole cloves
Directions:
- Pour 1 cup of honey into a saucepan or a double boiler. Then add seven cloves into the honey and heat. If you are using a saucepan, keep the heat on low for about 10 minutes. If you are using a double boiler, bring it to 185 degrees F. Let it infuse for at least 2 hours.
- If you wish to infuse it longer, you can do so for up to 5 weeks. Once you are done, strain the mixture and store it in an airtight container. Here is a link to where I buy my cloves.
Apple Cider Vinegar-Honey Infusion
Apple cider vinegar never lacks in my kitchen. Virtually, every remedy calls for it, so it comes as no surprise that it makes for a great ingredient to infuse in honey. The only issue with this infusion is that it’s not that sweet as the others.
The ACV cuts down on the sweet taste of honey, so don’t bother adding it to your toast. I suggest you go for 100% organic ACV. My personal favorite is Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. Always dilute your ACV before use. ACV helps neutralize the body’s pH and also helps with a sore throat or upset stomach.
You will need:
- 1 cup of honey
- 3 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
Directions:
- Pour 3 tablespoons of ACV into a saucepan, followed by 1 cup of honey. Place on low heat for about 10 minutes, stir thoroughly and pour the mixture into a jar. Let it sit for as long as you desire.
Storage
Always store in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and make sure that the jar is tightly covered. Shelf life is typically 7 months, sometimes longer. Although most people argue that it can last indefinitely, I have never stored it longer than 7 months. You can try and see for yourself.
If you want to infuse the ingredients longer than several hours, pour it into your jar and close it. When it’s infused enough, simply re-heat it before straining by placing the jar in warm water.