How to Make DIY Herb-Infused Honeys
Herb-infused honey is an easy way to start using homegrown herbs in your own little apothecary.
When and How to Gather Herbs
To make an herb-infused honey, you will want fresh herbs. The best time to gather herbs is around mid-morning. Wait until the dew is gone from the plants but before the heat of the day has sent the plant’s sugars down into their roots.
When collecting herbs, make sure you gather them from a place you have permission. If you are using wild foraged plants, avoid road ditches or other areas that might be sprayed with herbicides.
My favorite place to gather herbs is right from the pots of homegrown herbs I grow in my front yard! Thankfully, most herbs do well in pots so you can grow your own herb garden just about anywhere.
Best Herbs for Making Infused Honeys
You can infuse just about any herb in honey. Some herbs you might choose for culinary uses, like drizzling on a cake or eating spread on toast. Others you might choose for their health benefits, like the thyme-infused honey I make in the YouTube video above.
Here are a few common kitchen herbs you can use in your own honey creation.
Lemon Balm
Melissa Officinalis, lemon balm is used to help with headaches and general tension. Its bright scent is also said to be beneficial in aiding with nervousness and depression. Take note that it is considered a thydroid inhibitor so avoid this herb if you have hypothyrodicism or other issues with your thyroid.
Sage
Salvia Officinalis comes in many varieties. Your common garden sage can work to lower cholesterol and also can be used to help rebuild strength during long-term illness. It also works well to help regulate menstruation. It should be noted that sage can affect milk production in nursing moms, so use avoid excessive use if you are trying to keep up milk supply, or utilize it if you are trying to dry up your milk.
Oregano
Origanum vulgare can be interchanged with marjoram. They help with anxiety, nervousness, and general crankiness.
Thyme
One of my absolute favorite herbs to use is lemon thyme. You can really smell and taste the lemon in the honey and it smells divine.
Lavender
Lavandula officinalis is widely prized for its ability to calm, relax and uplift spirits.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis is known to aid with concentration in memory by its ability to enhance a cell’s ability to take in oxygen. It also is helpful with stimulating the circulatory system and combating inflammation.
Herbal Combinations
An easy way to fill your home medicine chest is by creating your own herbal mixes and steep them in organic honey. As a general rule, I like to start a few batches of these in the late summer. They last a long time and usually keep me well stocked through the school year.
For Stress Relief
Combine sage with equal parts mint, or rosemary and lemon balm.
Sore Throat
Add equal parts sage and peppermint.
Use equal parts sage and thyme to help clear a chest cough or phlegmy throat.
Cough
Combine equal parts mullein, coltsfoot, and marshmallow leaf.
Cold & Flu
A simple thyme or lemon thyme honey will help.
Headache
Combine equal parts lavender and feverfew.
Upset Stomach
Chamomile honey is calming and very soothing on an upset tummy. It’s also a very safe herb for children and pregnant/nursing moms.
Can Dried Herbs be Used in Herbal Honeys?
Yes, absolutely! While I recommend fresh herbs for the best flavor, you can use dried herbs in a pinch. Dry herbs are much more concentrated. I would reduce the amount of herbs by a little over half. In this recipe, it calls for two cups of fresh herbs. I would use about a healthy half cup of dried in place of the fresh.
Going Beyond Herbs
You can infuse your honey with more than just herbs! Orange blossom, vanilla bean, rose petals, cardamom, are just a few different things you can infuse into honey.
Supplies and Ingredients
- 2 Cups Fresh Herb of Choice
- Pint sized mason jar
- 2 Cups Raw Honey (always get local honey when you can!)
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
How to Make Herbal Honey
Gather and Prep Herbs
Begin by gathering about two cups of fresh herbs.
Give them a rinse, then dry them thoroughly using a salad spinner or gently pressing them between two clean kitchen towels.
Spread the herbs out on a dry towel or cutting board and let them wilt for around 10-12 hours. This process removes about half the moisture from the herbs, which is an important step.
If there is too much water in the mix it will start to ferment and you will end up with a sort of herbal mead instead. Though hey, that doesn’t sound too bad either!
Next, place the herbs in a clean jar. The herbs will have reduced in size from wilting, so it is okay if they don’t fill the jar completely.
Pour honey over the herbs, leaving a space of about an inch between the top of the honey and the rim of the jar.
Cap the jar.
Steep for a Few Weeks
Now my favorite place to keep this is right near the stovetop or sitting on the back of it. This provides a very gentle heat which I think helps speed up the infusion process. Another warm place near a hearth or mantle (but not a HOT place) would be great places to let the magic happen.
Give the jar a little jostle every now and again, or honesty you can pop it in the cupboard and forget about it for the next couple weeks.
Allow the herbs to steep in the honey for at least two weeks if flavor is your goal. If you are aiming for more medicinal purposes, leave it for 4-6 weeks.o
Strain and Use
Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the honey into a clean glass jar.
Some of the herbs, like the thyme in my video, I just slowly pull out of the honey and don’t bother with straining it. Some folks don’t bother with straining it at all and leave the herbs right in the honey. That’s fine too!
Cap the honey and store it in a cool dark place. It will keep indefinitely!
How to Use Herbal-Infused Honey
The best thing about herb-infused honey is that you can use it so many ways! Anywhere you would use plain honey, consider what an herbal blend might do to add an extra punch to the flavor.
Sweeten Teas
One of my favorite ways to use these honeys is in herbal tea. You can really boost the flavor and benefits of the medicinal herbs in the tea by adding in an extra dose of herbal infused honeys.
Herb Honey Lemonade
Lavender and basil are my favorite infusions to make honey sweetened lemonade.
Non-Alcoholic Hot Toddy
When my kids have a sore throat or aren’t feeling well in general, I like to make them a non-alcoholic version of a hot toddy. To one mug of hot water I add about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of herbal honey, and a splash of milk or half and half to cool it down and add that little bit extra of cozy.
Drizzle on Desserts, Cheeses, and Snacks
Herbal honeys drizzled on goat cheese, across tea cakes, or spread across buttered toast are all a delicious way to enjoy honey infusions.
Mix into Salad Dressings
Give any dressing the calls for sweetener a real boost by using a flavorful blend of herb-infused honey.
Give as Gifts
A small jar of herbal honey is a welcome gift by just about anyone. Maybe a rose petal honey for Valentine’s Day? Or maybe infuse some vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks in your honey to give around the holidays? Vanilla bean-cardamom also makes a delicious honey. I’d be happy with that gift any time of year!
More Easy Herbal Projects
Sources
- Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar
- Herbs for the Home by Jekka McVicar
