This is an excerpt by Harmonie O’Loughlin from the All About Elderberry booklet featured as the bonus for the Autumn Vol 3 | Issue 10 | 2024 edition of Botanical Anthology. Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the autumn season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.
Immuni-Tea Popsicles
Cold and sweet. Popsicles are a sure way to get littles to take their tea. When you add honey and freeze it in molds, it instantly becomes a treat instead of something to get down!
Elderberries are a well-known antiviral, helping to inhibit influenza. They aid in lessening the severity and duration of a cold or flu. They can help with sore throats and coughs due to their astringent properties and with general chest and ear congestion. They’re also a mild laxative, which can help kiddos who get constipated when ill.
Also in this blend, rose hips are high in antioxidants and add more vitamin C. Astragalus has immune modulating properties that are known to stimulate the immune system. Tulsi is an antimicrobial herb that aids in coughs, sore throats and fevers while providing a yummy, floral back note. Ginger and Cinnamon add warmth to this cold treat as they are both antimicrobials that help fight illness.
Perfect to have on hand at a moment's notice, make batches in advance to store for when illness unexpectedly strikes. This will be a trick in the cold and flu toolbox that actually gets requested!
Materials
2 ½ c water
2 tbsp elderberries
1 tbsp rose hips
2 sticks astragalus
1 tbsp tulsi
1 cinnamon stick
½ tsp ginger root
1 star anise
3 tbsp honey
Method
Add water, elderberries, rose hips and astragalus to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and steep for 30 minutes.
Turn off heat. Add tulsi, cinnamon, ginger, star anise and honey to the pan. Place a cover over the pan. Steep for 20 minutes.
Strain herbs. Mix well to ensure the honey has dispersed throughout the tea.
Pour into popsicle molds. Freeze overnight or until fully solid.
Notes
Makes four ½ c popsicles.
These popsicles are icy and have a bit less body than those that are dairy based.
Don't have any popsicle sticks? Use spoons or chopsticks.
Harmonie is the founder and editor of Botanical Anthology and Plant Wonder Collective and co-creator of the Study Circle on Patreon. She is the homesteading mama behind Flora's Feast Botanicals where she explores plants through her garden and in her kitchen and home apothecary. Check out her blog on florasfeast.com and on social media at @florasfeastbotanicals
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