Over the last few years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with Tina Sams, the ever-so inspiring editor of The Essential Herbal bi-monthly magazine! Each beautiful issue motivates you to embark on your own wildcrafting journey, plant a flourishing garden, create an herbal formula, or even make your very own plant press. Since 2002, The Essential Herbal has provided a collection of stories, recipes, tips, lore, and project ideas for the adventurous cooks, foragers, crafters, and family herbalists among us. We get pretty giddy with excitement when a new issue arrives in the mail - such a treat! You can check out a free sample issue of the magazine by visiting www.essentialherbal.com.

So, fall is here yet again with the promise of glorious changing leaves and chilly breezes, but we know that running noses and scratchy throats are not far behind. Tina has kindly shared one of her favorite herbal recipes with us. This syrup blends strong aromatic herbs support your immune system all year long. Potent stuff!

Tina’s Deep Chest and Throat Syrup Recipe

Ingredients

4 "finger sized" pieces of Osha root

2 - 6" Licorice root sticks

1/2 oz Elecampane root

1/2 oz Wild Cherry Bark

1 tbsp Horehound

3 or 4 sprigs of Thyme or 1 tsp dried

zest and juice from one organic lemon

3 or 4 inches of fresh organic Ginger root sliced, or 2 tsp of dried Ginger root

4 cups water

1 1/2 - 2 cup raw local honey

Directions

Combine all ingredients, except the honey, with the water and allow to soak at room temperature for several hours.

Next, gently simmer all ingredients - except the honey - together until the liquid is reduced by half.  Strain and press as much liquid as possible from the herbs.  Measure the decocted liquid and add an equal portion of honey while the liquid is still warm. Store in a sealed glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator and use as needed.

Essential Herbal Giveaway!

Ready to make your own cold season syrup?

Three lucky winners will be chosen to win the ingredients for Tina’s Deep Chest and Throat Syrup recipe and a subscription to The Essential Herbal! That's six issues of this amazing magazine plus 4oz of these goodies: osha root, licorice root, thyme, wild cherry bark, elecampane root, ginger root, and horehound!

How to Enter:

There are several ways to enter the Essential Herbal Giveaway! You can submit up to five entries for a chance to win these prizes.

1. Leave a comment here telling us about your favorite cold-fighting herb!

2. Post a link to our Essential Herbal giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment here to let us know you’ve shared.

3. Tweet about our Essential Herbal giveaway on Twitter using the hashtag #essentialherbal and leave a comment here to let us know you’ve shared. Be sure to follow Essential Herbal and MtnRoseHerbs!

4. Like Essential Herbal on Facebook or subscribe to The Essential Herbal Blog! Leave a comment here to let us know you’re following.

5. Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs YouTube Channel, our recipe-packed newsletter, or follow us on Pinterest, and leave a comment here to let us know you’re following.

You have until Tuesday, October 2^nd at 11:59pm PST to enter. We will pick three winners at random on Wednesday, October 3^rd! Prizes can only be shipped within the United States.

. . . . . . .

Winners!

Our winners have been randomly selected! Congratulations to the following readers:

Result: 401 ~ kristenterga

Result: 802 - Jessie K

Result: 26 ~ Finamoon

Thanks to everyone for participating and sharing your favorite cold herbs! Be well!