Throat and Cough Honey Syrup with Sage, White Pine, Lemon, and Peppermint

To make a soothing Throat and Cough Honey Syrup with Sage, Lemon, White Pine and Peppermint, begin by brewing a strong peppermint tea by steeping 1-2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves and the same amount of white pine needles in ½ cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea and let it cool slightly.

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of honey, the brewed peppermint tea, 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger (thinly sliced), 1 cinnamon stick, 5 leaves of fresh sage (or 1 teaspoon dried), 1 sprig of lemon thyme or cinnamon basil, 1-2 star anise pods, and 1 tablespoon of dried rosehips (optional for a vitamin C boost).

Heat the mixture gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the honey melts completely into the tea, ensuring it doesn’t boil to preserve the beneficial properties of the honey. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest (optional for extra flavor).

Cover and let the mixture steep for about an hour…