Herbal honeys are definitely a favorite kitchen staple of mine. They’re so simple to make and add delicious herbal goodness to practically anything with very little effort. Full of cozy, warming, and stimulating herbs, this ginger-turmeric honey is a quick and easy way to add a little oomph to your morning with added anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
I see a lot of recipes that look completely awesome and I’m sure that they are, but then I get down to the ingredients and it takes me 20 minutes just to pull everything out of the cabinets and measure it out. While this could be a welcome, and even meditative task for some, I wake up and want a cup of something in my hand as quickly and with as little effort as possible.
Straight up, plain ol’ grassy green tea is my morning drink of choice. No sweetener, no milk, no nothing but tea leaves and hot water. I’ve never been a coffee drinker and I’m not a fan of sweetness first thing when I wake up. Give me the grassy, green, and bitter stuff. But most people here in the United States prefer a little sweetness in their good morning beverage, and this ginger-turmeric honey is a great addition for a healthier, energizing, and warming start to your day.
the benefits of ginger-turmeric honey
This ginger-turmeric honey consists of 5 ingredients, all of which are incredibly nutritious and medicinal. To make this honey, you’ll need these 4 herbs and/or spices:
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Cinnamon
- Astragalus
Ginger is an amazing plant that’s ripe with nutritional and medicinal benefits. It’s been called a universal medicine by many an herbalist, as its benefits are many. Whether it’s immune or digestive health, nausea, or a whole variety of inflammatory conditions, ginger can help.
Ginger’s medicinal uses include:
- Antioxidant
- Expectorant
- Carminative
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Circulatory stimulant
- Anti-nausea (antiemetic)
Turmeric, a close relative of ginger, is also incredibly medicinal. In the last decade, turmeric has gained such mainstream popularity as a superfood and medicine. Its medicinal properties include:
- Astringent
- Antioxidant
- Carminative
- Pain relieving
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Circulation stimulant
- Stimulates the flow of bile from the liver
And cinnamon, like ginger and turmeric, is also a powerful plant medicine and so much more than a delicious fall flavor. Its most common medicinal uses include:
- Antiviral
- Astringent
- Anti-fungal
- Carminative
- Antibacterial
- Anti-parasitic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Gastrointestinal tonic
- Expectorant (helps to remove excess mucus)
Astragalus is a root that has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It’s widely used in medicine for the following properties:
- Antiviral
- Adaptogen
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Protects liver function
- Protects kidney function
- Promotes tissue regeneration
- Supports & builds immunity
- Tonic to the immune system
- Tonic to cardiovascular system
And lastly, honey. Honey is the golden child of hardworking bees and the nectar of a million flowers, a true natural wonder, if you ask me. It’s the world’s oldest sore throat remedy still commonly used today and also happens to be:
- Antiseptic
- Anti-fungal
- Antioxidant
- Antibacterial
- Wound healing
- Immune-boosting
- Anti-inflammatory
- Digestive aid (prebiotic)
- Calming & conditioning for skin/hair
Together, these 5 ingredients make for a generous dose of plant medicine.
making herbal honey
While there are a few different ways to make herbal honey, my favorite is also the easiest. It’s as easy as stirring dried, powdered herbs into honey. That’s it.
Check out this post, How To Make Easy DIY Herbal Honey (+ 5 Nourishing Recipes), for tips and tricks to make this easy recipe even easier. Once you start making herbal honeys, it’s kind of hard to stop.
an herbal honey good morning sipper
This ginger-turmeric honey is liquid gold. As you stir the herbs in to the warm honey, it turns a deep golden brown color. The sweetness of the honey perfectly off-sets the bitterness of the turmeric and astragalus in the best a-spoonful-of-sugar-helps-the-medicine-go-down kind of way. This honey is also ripe with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant medicine. However, if you are a little more sensitive to bitter and you’d like a less medicinal tasting honey, always feel free to add more honey.
There’s also no need to strain out the spices; just give it a stir every time you go to use it. You may also notice that the flavor of the honey will change a little over time as the spices and honey continue to mingle.
Drizzle this ginger-turmeric honey over toast, oatmeal, ice cream, or use in any other way you’d normally use honey. One of the simplest ways to enjoy this honey is as a morning beverage. For a warming, good morning sipper, stir 1 teaspoon of this ginger-turmeric honey into 1 cup of hot water or other morning beverage of your choice.
If stored properly in an air-tight jar, and in a cool and dark place, this herbal honey will last indefinitely.
I hope you enjoy!
The information given in this article is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns at all, it’s always a good idea to check with your health practitioner before consuming certain herbs & medicinal foods, especially if taking any prescription medications.
