Herbal elixirs
are fabulous things to keep around the house.
Not only are they great for first aid and sore throats, but they’re
tasty and can be made into some fabulous cocktails and delicious food. I even pour some over my favorite
desserts. Since tomorrow is Valentine’s
Day, I figured that I would introduce herbal elixirs with one of my favorites,
Rose Elixir.
Rose elixir is
one of my most indispensable items in my home first aid kit. Not only is it great for burns, poison ivy,
bug bites/stings, rashes, sore muscles, and minor wounds. It’s also great for sore throats, menstrual
cramps, panic attacks, shock, and helps to calm people down after trauma. Combining this with Rescue Remedy is a very effective way to help people stay calm in traumatic situations.
A quick word about the 3 basic ingredients:
Rose is a great
herbal ally to keep in mind. Its
astringent (which makes it great to use in beauty products), anti-inflammatory,
anti-microbial, and cooling. Rose helps
to elevate the mood and move the blood.
It is a fairly well-known aphrodisiac that also helps to calm and soothe
the nerves. Just remember that when you
use roses, you want to make sure they haven’t been sprayed with herbicide or
insecticide.
Honey is one of
the best first aid remedies around. It’s
antifungal, antibiotic, antimicrobial, helps initiate the healing process in
skin, speeds up the healing process, nourishes skin, and is full of vitamins
and minerals. Honey can improve athletic
performance and makes a great sugar substitute.
Honey is also a great, natural preservative.
Vodka/Brandy is
used to help extract the beneficial constituents (natural chemicals) from the
rose petals, but it also acts as a preservative. When shopping for alcohol for elixirs, you
want something that is a minimum of 80 proof.
Any drinkable alcohol can be used, vodka and brandy are my usual
choices, but sometimes I switch it up and use gin (for that refreshing juniper
flavor), tequila, or rum. Whatever you
feel is good for you.
Rose Elixir
1 pint Mason Jar
Rose Petals
Honey
Vodka/Brandy
Plastic Wrap
Fill the Mason jar with rose petals, leaving ½ inch at the top. Fill 2/3 of the way with alcohol of choice. Fill last 1/3 with honey, leaving a little
space at the top. Cover the jar with
plastic wrap before sealing it with the lid.
Roses have a tendency to eat through metal, the plastic wrap will
protect your seal. Allow your elixir to
sit in a cool, dark place for 3-6 weeks.
Shake daily. After the time is
up, strain the elixir through a sieve/coffee filter. Enjoy!
Vanilla Rose Martini
3 oz Vanilla Vodka
1 oz Rose Elixir
Rose Petal garnish
Combine the Vodka and the Elixir in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into chilled
martini glass. Garnish with a rose
petal.
Honey Rose Lemonade
1 cup Honey
1/2 cup Rose Water
1/2 cup Rose Elixir
1 cup Lemon Juice
2-3 cups Sparkling Water
Combine honey, elixir and rose water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and stir
until completely dissolved. Allow mixture
to cool. Add in lemon juice and dilute
with sparkling water. If you want it
sweeter, add more honey dissolved in warm water.
Like all of my
recipes, these can be modified to suit your needs or taste buds. You can use whatever herbs you want. Some good ones to try when you feel adventurous
include hibiscus, elderberry, lemon balm, rosemary, violet, or lavender. Get creative!
Have fun! And let me know what
you think in the comments below!
Resources:
Bach Flower Remedies: Rescue Remedy Information: http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-information/
Healthy Green Kitchen: Rose Petal Elixir: http://www.healthygreenkitchen.com/kivas-rose-petal-elixir.html
Herbs of Grace: A Rose is a Rose: http://www.herbsofgrace.com/Homeopathy/tag/rose-elixir/
Medicine Woman’s Roots: Wild Rose Elixir: http://bearmedicineherbals.com/wild-rose-elixir-a-favorite-first-aid-remedy.html
Organic Facts: Health Benefits of Honey: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/health-benefits-of-honey.html
Steth News: The Many Benefits of Rose Elixir: http://www.stethnews.com/1408/the-many-benefits-of-rose-elixir-how-to-make-your-own/
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