Grape Harvest Herbal Syrup: A Simple Homemade Recipe
In my yard resides a beautiful gnarly grapevine. It grows along my fence and at times threatens to overtake a lovely Italian plum tree I have planted there. Every year perfect full bunches of grapes form all along the vine. In the Autumn they hang heavy, deeply purple and full of seeds. Their flavor is intense and beautiful, almost too much to sit and munch on for longer than a few minutes.
I never know exactly how to harvest the goodness of this amazing grapevine. This year I made up a batch of jam, so deeply purple, it is almost black. Now the weather turns frosty, the leaves are all gone from the vine yet the grapes cling and are calling to me to be eaten, to be cherished and made into something divine.
I have a wise friend who offered up wonderful idea of creating a lovely herbal syrup all full of the goodness of grapes and made with whatever herbs there happens to be on hand, such as elderberries, calendula, astragalus, and lemon balm. (I love recipes that use up what is “on hand”!)
The instructions are simple:
Cook up the grapes in a big pot. Cover them with water and add the herbs on top. The drain and strain it into a big bowl. Add some honey to sweeten and preserve. Bottle and enjoy. Perfect for sipping and gifting to friends and family.
~ Perfect Herbs For Your Own Grape Syrup~
This is just a small list of herbs that would lend themselves well to a tasty grape syrup. Be creative!
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is used as a wonderful antiviral and a relaxing nervine that is high in vitamins and minerals with a lovely flavor. Learn more about lemon balm here.
Goji Berries (Lycium chinense) are considered a tonic for the liver and blood. They have long been used for promoting longevity. They are so tasty too!
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is another nice antiviral. It is used to soothe and strengthen the nervous system helping to ease anxiety and depression. St. John’s can also help to stimulate liver detox which is used to aid in to clearing stress hormones from the blood. This herb can interact with medications. Learn more about St. John’s wort here.
Elderberries (Sambucus canadensis, S. nigra) are a tasty herb that have been found to have specific action against the flu virus. They also help to relax the nervous system. Learn more about elderberry here.
Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) is wonderfully nourishing to the liver while helping to gently stimulate detoxification.
Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) helps to stimulates the digestion while promoting lymphatic circulation.
Milky Oat (Avena sativa) tops are used to soothe and nourish the nervous system particularly in states of nervous exhaustion. Oatstraw is rich in minerals and vitamins.
Calendula Blossoms (Calendula officinalis L.) help to break-up lymphatic congestion while reducing inflammation and soothing tissues. Read more about calendula here.
Schizandra Berries (Schisandra chinensis) are a wonderful adaptogen helping the body to deal with stress better. Schizandra is also used to nourishes the liver, lungs and immune system. Called the five flavor berry, these little fruits have a unique taste.
Astragalus (Astragalus mongholicus) is considered to be an immune tonic that helps ward off illness and treat long-term infections (don’t use during the first 5 to 6 days of acute illness) and is indicated for those who suffer from frequent colds and flus.
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is an herbal adaptogen which helps the body, mind and spirit deal better with stress. It is also used to help the body fight off infections.
Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula) is sometimes called poor man’s ginseng. It is moistening and strengthening to the whole body in particular helping to build the blood, soothe dry lungs and chronic coughs.
Hawthorn Berries (Crataegus laevigata, C. monogyna) is used to help nourish, strengthen and protect the heart and indeed it is a tonic for the heart.
…. and of course Grapes (Vitis vinifera)!
Grapes with dark purply skins are chock full of antioxidants including the much loved resveratrol which provides heart healthy protection by lowering HDL and preventing platelet aggregation. Grapes are also full of healthy vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbable. They help to build the blood and strengthen immunity.
~ My Own Recipe From This Year's Harvest ~
4 cups grapes, washed and sorted and stemmed
mounding ¼ cup each goji berries, lemon balm, cordyceps, holy basil, hawthorn berries
½ cup fluffy calendula blossoms
18 small slices of astragalus
water to cover, about 6 cups
2 cups of Honey
Instructions ~
Place the grapes in a large pot.
Add the herbs and cover with water to about 1 inch of water over the herbs.
Simmer for 1 to 4 hours, adding more water if necessary.
Once everything softens up, give it all a good smash with a potato masher.
Strain out the solids pressing the liquid through a strainer.
Add honey while still warm and stir while it melts in.
Bottle, label and refrigerate.
Your syrup should last for 2 to 3 months in the fridge.
~ Ways To Use Grape Syrup ~
Add to a cup of hot water to make tea.
Add to seltzer or mineral water for a fizzy, soda pop-like treat.
Sip by the spoonful for an boost during the on-coming Autumn and Winter seasons.
Use on pancakes, waffles or ice cream.
Keep in mind that not every herb is a good fit for every body. Please use caution if you are pregnant, nursing, elderly, using this with children, take medications, or have health challenges. Learn more about using herbs safely here.
Make Your Syrup Into An Herbal Elixir
If you want to create something extra tasty use brandy to preserve your syrup. Follow the directions above for creating a syrup but substitute brandy for the honey or use a combination of brandy and honey together, delish!
References
Blackburn, Nicky. “Study Shows Israeli Elderberry Extract Effective against Avian Flu.” ISRAEL21c, 13 Sept. 2012, www.israel21c.org/study-shows-israeli-elderberry-extract-effective-against-avian-flu/.
Gladstar, Rosemary, Family Herbal, Storey Publishing, 2001
Grieve, Mrs. M., A Modern Herbal, Random House, 1973
Hoffman, David, The Complete Illustrated Herbal, Element Books, 1996
Jones, Feather, Medicinal Herb Handbook, Six Directions Publishing Cooperative, 1994
Mars, Brigitte, Elder, Keats Publishing, 1997
Mars, Brigitte, Rawsome. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, 2004
McIntyre, Anne, Flower Power, Henry Holt & Company, Inc., 1996
Smith, Ed, Therapeutic Herb Manual, Ed Smith, 1999
Tilgner, Sharol, N.D., Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth, Wise Acres Press, Inc., 1999
Previously posted on Mama Rosemary