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Electuaries are tasty and simple herbal remedies requiring nothing more than dried herbs ground to powder and raw honey. Plus, electuary, it’s just fun to say. The word's origin likely comes from the Greek words ekleikhein, which means "to lick up," or ekleiktón, which means "lozenge."
The History of the Electuary
The history of the electuary starts almost at the dawn of time when Ancient Arab cultures used honey as a preservative for plants. In the Middle Ages, electuaries were an essential part of pharmacology and were often the first treatment given for illness. However, sometime around the early 20th century, as modern medicine advanced, electuaries fell out of favor and, in fact, almost disappeared from the modern pharmacy. Luckily, they are having a resurgence because I, for one, love them, and their sweet flavor makes giving herbs to picky palates much more agreeable.
What’s in the Elderberry & Rosehip Electuary and Why?
This recipe is a straightforward blend of Elderberry, Cinnamon, Rosehips, and honey. It’s designed to be a preventative measure and a remedy for shortening illness if a cold or flu sets in.
Elderberries (Powdered)
Elderberries have long been used as an herbal ally for keeping the dreaded winter colds and flus at bay. Elderberries are antibacterial and antiviral, containing constituents like pectin that help the body build and rebuild tissues. Energetically speaking, elderberries are warming, helping to stimulate the body, with a particular focus on the respiratory system.
Cinnamon (Powdered)
Cinnamon's warming action helps improve circulation, while its immunomodulating properties help drive away potential illness. It is also anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, making it the perfect ingredient to spice up the flavor of this preparation while aiding in cold fighting.
Rosehips (Powdered)
Since they are packed with vitamin C. roships are another proven partner for the cold and flu season. They are also immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, demulcent, and expectorant.
Honey
Raw, local honey is best if you can get it. The bees in your own backyard face the same environmental conditions as you, meaning the medicine (honey) they make for themselves will likely be more helpful to the people who live nearby. That being said, all honey is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial, and any honey is better than no honey.
How to Make Rosehip & Elderberry Electuary
For this recipe, the ingredients are measured in parts, allowing you to customize the batch size. Whether you're making a small batch for personal use or a larger one for sharing, the process is the same. If it’s your first time, I recommend starting with a small batch to get a feel for it.
The Ingredients
2 parts Elderberries, powdered
2 parts Rosehips, powdered
1 part Cinnamon, powdered
Enough honey to create a thick paste
The Method
Add your powdered herbs to a small bowl.
Slowly pour honey into the bowl, mixing as you add it.
When it becomes a thick paste, your electuary is complete!
Store your herbal preparation in a sterilized jar in the fridge for up to 12 months.
How to Take Your Electuary
To take your Elderberry & Rosehip Electuary, you can take it by the spoonful a couple of times a day, or you can dissolve a spoonful in a cup of warm (not hot) water to create an almost instant herbal tea.
Sweet Winter Wellness
Electuaries are a great way to get in your medicinal herbs with a sweet flavor, and I love this electuary for a nice immune boost during the winter months. Have you ever made an electuary? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear about it. Until next time,
Disclaimer:
Content from thisunboundlife.com is meant to be informational in nature. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Just because something is “natural” does not mean it’s safe for every person. Many plants should be avoided when pregnant or nursing; some can cause extreme interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
While we strive to be 100% accurate, utilizing information from scientific studies, trusted sources, and verified publications, we are not health professionals, medical doctors, or nutritionists. It is solely up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed on this website and to ensure proper plant identification.
The information provided by this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before using herbal preparations, always research, speak to a professional regarding significant concerns, and never fail to seek medical advice when needed.