“Summer is the time of year when many wild and cultivated plants are showing off their vibrant flowers,” shares Spoonful Herbals Co-Founder Katherine Elmer. “They offer us simple remedies to slow down and be present before the short Vermont summer passes us by.”

Spoonful Herbals, founded and led by Herbalists Katherine Elmer and Kara Buchanan, is a nonprofit organization sharing hands-on education about the traditional herbal medicines found all around our local landscape. Throughout the year, they hold workshops on our farm campus on plant identification and how to make beneficial preparations.

“Our approach is rooted in sharing a sense of place, nurturing curiosity and creativity,” says Katherine. “Joy and pleasure as medicine, ideally nature-connected medicine, is essential in times of cultural transition. Racial and social justice is central to Spoonful Herbals’ mission. “We cannot continue to work towards peace and liberation if we don’t take time to feel peace and freedom and joy as a part of our activism.”

Their Herbal Syrups & Spritzers Workshop, a favorite summer program here on the farm, offers recipes for unwinding and appreciating the joy of the season, utilizing aromatherapy.

“The tiny fragrant oils produced by plants are referred to as volatile  because they’re light enough to float through the air and land in our nostrils,” explains Katherine. “These natural scents can lighten our mood, bring our focus to the present moment, and have an overall relaxing effect.”

The star of these spritzers is the fragrant flowers and herbs. Use any fresh-picked items that are in season in your place (here are some tips on responsible harvesting from Robin Wall Kimmerer). Some favorites include rose, linden, lemon balm, and mint.

Makes 1 pint

For Aromatic Flowers (Linden, Elder, Rose)

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar or ¾ honey*
• Enough flower petals or herbs to fill a pint jar one-third full

Method

1. Bring to a boil, whisking to dissolve sugar.
2. Into a pint-sized mason jar, pack one-third full with petals and/or herbs. Optional: add 1⁄2 of a sliced lemon.
3. Pour the boiling syrup into the jar, top loosely.
4. Let cool and transfer to fridge for 2-4 days.
5. Strain and use within a few weeks.

For Mints

Method

1. Follow recipe quantities for simple syrup above. 
2. Pour the syrup into a heatproof container filled with hand-crushed mint. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight; strain and discard mint.
3. Keep finished syrups refrigerated. May keep for months, but check for any signs of fermentation.
4. You may add a small amount of alcohol to prolong shelf life.

*You can make syrups with sugar or honey. Honey has a distinct floral flavor that can sometimes alter taste of your herbs. Honey is healthiest when used unheated, and Spoonful Herbals favorite choice for this recipe is raw, organic sugar. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup unflavored carbonated water
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) herbal syrup, to taste
• 1/4 lemon or lime slice (optional) and/or 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lemon or lime juice

Method

1. Add ice to a glass. Pour syrup, lemon juice, and carbonated water over ice. Stir gently and enjoy.
2. Variation: Use 2/3 cup carbonated or flat water and 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice to make an herbal lemonade.

Another eye-catching and delicious option:mix dried or powdered herbs, especially organic citrus peels or colorful flower petals, with organic cane sugar. Apply to the rim of your cup or glass after moistening the rim with a lemon/lime wedge or water.

• Sprigs of mints: includes basils, tulsi, and anise hyssop. These are all especially lovely when in flower.
• Berries and citrus slices
• Some of Spoonful Herbals’ favorite options: borage, rose petals, red clover, gem marigolds, nasturtium, chamomile, and bee balm