Herbalism: Syrups and Liniments

In the Making: Ginger Syrup, Rose Vinegar, Garlic Syrup

Chances are that there is at least one Witch in your Coven who has herbal preparations macerating on a shelf somewhere. Here are three recent preparations on our own shelf.

GARLIC SYRUP (right): GARLIC (Allium sativum): This preparation is from the recipe of Dr. Shook, a doctor who helped revive herbalism in the 1930's and onward. His books are now quite rare (although our Coven has managed to secure copies). He considers his recipe the best preparation of Garlic for medicinal use. After the vinegar/water solution is strained from macerating Garlic, an equal amount of Raw Honey will be added in. The finished product can also be used in cookery. But, heat destroys the medicinal compounds of Garlic, so if you are going to use it in cookery, add it to your dishes at the end.

ROSE VINEGAR (center): ROSE (Rosa spp.): Joint pain can be notoriously difficult to cure. It can be eased, certainly, with pain medications or herbal preparations, but to rid oneself of the underlying condition is often a struggle. Regular consumption of the standard infusion of Comfrey Leaf has helped many in the past, as has the application of ointments made from Comfrey Leaf. While researching this problematic condition, we came across a suggestion by Philip Burrough, an herbalist, physician, and author of The Methode of Physick, published in London in 1624. He recommends application of Rose Vinegar as a liniment to the affected joints. Here, the petals of wild roses have been covered with distilled apple cider vinegar, and left to macerate for 6 weeks. After the roses are strained out, the liniment is ready for use. We will keep you apprised of the results of the experiment.

GINGER SYRUP (left): GINGER (Zingiber officinale): The juice of the Ginger Root is antiviral in its effects, but it must be used within 24 hours of expressing it from the root. We purchased a large hand of Ginger to help a person overcome a viral infection, but the person recovered very quickly, leaving us with a goodly amount of Ginger and nothing to do with it. We decided to follow Dr. Shook's recipe for Garlic Syrup, but using Ginger instead. The finished product can be used for digestive upsets, medicinally, and also used in cookery.

*** Blessed be to those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.

* Copyright to Coven Rochester