Herbal Iron Syrup
A decoction of iron-rich herbs in a base of honey, molasses and brandy. This homemade iron syrup makes a wonderful alternative to iron pills for many people struggling with iron deficiency anemia!
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Medium stove-pot
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Sieve for straining
- A clean dishtowel, nut milk bag, or ~1 foot of cheese cloth
- Medium to large mixing bowl
- Two 1-quart mason jars or 32 oz. worth of glass amber bottles for storage
- Medium to large funnel
- Sticker and pen for labeling
Ingredients
- 3 TBSP yellow dock root dried, C/S - not powdered
- 3 TBSP stinging nettle leaf dried, C/S - not powdered
- 1 TBSP dandelion root dried, C/S - not powdered
- 1 TBSP dandelion leaf dried, C/S - not powdered
- 1 TBSP hawthorn berries dried, C/S - not powdered
- 4 cups filtered water
- 3/4 cup raw honey
- 1/3 cup molasses unsulphured
- 3/4 cup brandy, bourbon or scotch of choice (optional but recommended for preservation purposes)
Instructions
Part 1: Herbal Decoction
- Combine all herbs in a pot with the 4 cups of water. Stir with a wooden spoon so the herbs are completely submerged in water.
- Stir uncovered over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low as needed to prevent boiling.
- Continue to simmer until the liquid volume has been reduced by half, so about 2 cups of strong tea decoction will be left. (This takes about an hour on average.)Tip: You may want to mark a spot on the outside of the stove pot to see what it will look like when only 2 cups of decoction are left!
- Turn the stove top burner off. Let the decoction cool for 5-10 minutes (don't let get too cool in temperature or it will become difficult to dissolve the honey and molasses!).
- Using a sieve and clean dish towel(or nut milk bag or double layered cheese cloth), separate the liquid decoction from the herbs into a medium/large mixing bowl. Make sure to wring out the dish towel/nut milk bag/cheese cloth so you have as much of the "tea" decoction left as possible! The goal is to have 2 cups (liquid volume) of decoction.
- Discard/compost the remaining herbs (or better yet, reserve them for making spagyrics if by any chance you’re an experienced alchemist!).
Part 2: Herbal Syrup
- In the mixing bowl containing the two cups of tea decoction, add the honey and molasses, slowly stirring well for a few minutes until it's "uniform". Congrats – now you officially have herbal iron syrup!!! If no alcohol is added, this herbal iron syrup will last in the refrigerator in a sealed glass container for up to 2 weeks without going “bad”.
- Optional but recommended if possible: Add 3/4 cup of brandy, bourbon or scotch to the syrup and mix well. This allows the syrup to last in the fridge for about six months… much longer than two weeks!
- Using a kitchen funnel if needed, pour your herbal iron syrup into a glass container such as a mason jar, or better yet, glass amber bottles which help keep the potency stronger (since light and heat will generally degrade herbal potency).
- Make sure to label and date your product before sealing and storing in the fridge.
Notes
Suggested use: Take 1 tablespoon daily for maintenance, or 2 tablespoons daily during monthly cycle if applicable, or as directed by your qualified healthcare provider(s).
- For optimal results, do not take within two hours of calcium supplements or dairy products.
- In most cases it’s okay to take this herbal iron syrup on an empty stomach without any side effects (that’s what I do usually)… but first and foremost, listen to your body and your healthcare providers!
Nutrition
Serving: 1tablespoon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!