An easy protocol for your apothecary is an herbal syrup. Most people know how to make a basic elderberry syrup, so you may already be ahead of the game on this one. If not, you can use this basic recipe for an herbal medicinal syrup.
You’ll notice that this syrup is also a 1:5 ratio when it comes to weighing out your herb to liquid. This ratio is the general rule of thumb for creating herbal protocols.

Medicinal Syrup

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Ingredients

• 200 g dried herb s
• 1 quart water
• 1 cup raw honey
• 1 cup cane sugar optional

Instructions

• In a saucepan, add water and your choice of dried herbs. You can use just one herb, or various herbs. Just make sure they come to a total (altogether) of 200 grams.
• Bring herbs and water to a boil, then turn the heat off and allow to infuse for 20 minutes. If using woody, stemmy, or root herbs, you’ll boil the decoction for 20 minutes (at a high simmer) and then remove from heat.
• Drain herbs from infusion/decoction, and return the strained liquid back to the burner on medium-low heat. Add in cane sugar and stir until it has dissolved. If you don’t want to add sugar, the raw honey will act as a preservative as well.
• Don’t add the raw honey until after the mixture has cooled quite a bit. Afterwards, jar your syrup into a glass bottle or mason jar. Store in your refrigerator for up to 3 months.

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Herbalism doesn’t have to be intimidating or overwhelming. With these basic instructions, and learning just a few herbs at a time, you are creating the foundation of your herbal apothecary. Remember, herbs are medicine, and should be respected as such. But they are also incredible healers, given to us by the Creator of the entire universe. As your herbal knowledge increases, your confidence will grow. You’ll become excited to try new things and you’ll be excited to share what you’re learning with your community! You can do this!