This time of year, I start to wonder how I can bottle up the joy and abundance of nature for the winter months. I love the hot, lazy days spent at a beach or river and the sound of cicadas in the background.

Alas, summer can’t last forever. Luckily fall rolls in with gorgeous colors and cooler whether.

And then comes the darkness and sluggishness of winter. If you’re like me, you sometimes need a boost to keep you going in the winter – and keep those nasty colds at bay.

Look no further than this infused honey.

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Edible Properties:

This recipe uses Chickweed, a common and highly nutritious garden “weed.” It contains nearly every vitamin and mineral the body needs and is often calls “nature’s vitamin,” including vitamins C and D and the B family of vitamins including vitamin B12. Chickweed also contains various important minerals including calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, zinc, and silica.

Medicinal Properties:

It also has a long list of healing properties, either by consuming it or applying it on your skin. The benefits of chickweed infused honey include:

• A digestive aid.
• A weight loss aid/appetite suppressor.
• Anti-inflammatory that helps ease discomfort and pain associated with joint inflammation and relieve rheumatism, gout and arthritis.
• Gently anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.
• Relieves pain of a kidney infection or cystitis, may even strengthen your kidneys and liver to prevent future ailments.
• Reduces pain associated with menstrual cramps.
• Chickweed is beneficial as an expectorant, helping the lungs expel any pathogens, debris or harmful particles. The expectorant properties also assist with the clearing of mucus in the lungs and airways, easing the effects of congestion in the patient.
• Chickweed dries out the sinus and helps the patient breathe more comfortably while reducing the buildup of fluids in the lungs. These positive effects make chickweed beneficial for a patient suffering from any congestive illnesses, including bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Reduces inflammation due to a compounds called “saponins,” which reduces inflammation in the sinuses and throat and breaks down secretions from the mucous membranes.
• And, finally, chickweed helps people recover from colds and the flu faster by boosting your immune system due to high anti-oxidant amounts, Vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals.

Chickweed (Stellaria media) can be tricky to find because it’s seasonal, coming up early winter and then dying back when it gets too hot. The trick is to harvest a bunch and let it dry so you can make this recipe in the summer or fall for cold season. You can also preserve the plant like you spinach (canning or blanching and freezing).

But I like easy and it’s hard to beat this one.

Identification:

• Leaves: Round, opposite leaves that smooth (mouse eared chickweed looks similar, but is fuzzy). The stalks are hairy.

• Flowers: 10-petaled, white flowers, about 5 cm across. Ten stamens with light yellow, greenish, or reddish anthers. Flower stalks are hairy.

• Height: Five to 50 cm tall, usually sprawling out on the grown like a mat.

• Habitat: Chickweed is a common lawn and garden weed, can grow in waste soils, and forests. It also grows in Europe.

Cautions:

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding an infant, it is best not to drink this tea. Speak to your doctor about an alternative to chickweed.

Also, don’t overdo chickweed tea as it may lead to vomiting, diarrhea and in worse cases of really high doses even dizziness. If you experience any discomfort or symptoms such as headaches or weakness, stop taking this tea and speak to a doctor.

If you suffer from chronic heart disease, you should then avoid this tea due to its possible effects on your circulatory health and possible interactions with your medication.

Unfortunately, some people may experience common allergic symptoms when using fresh chickweed because its pollen is a common allergen. You may wish to try dried chickweed instead as the probability of allergy may decrease.

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