The Holiday Spirit has hit the Apothecary sure and strong! We’re pleased to announce our new series, DIY Herbal Holiday! Throughout the month I’ll have some of our favorite do-it-yourself herbal holiday gifts to help tickle your own inner-witch and get the creativity flowing.
To start of us off, I want to share one of my all-time favorite infused vinegar recipes. For those of you who know me, you know that I’m a tad vinegar crazy. I love the stuff and will infuse any and all herbs to make delicious and exciting elixirs. This recipe combines Balsamic Vinegar, Pomegranate, Rosemary from the garden, and Ginger. Warning, when working with pomegranate your kitchen may look a bit like a crime scene…and it is so, so worth it! Gather those beautiful garnet-hued gems, peel and slice the ginger, and finely chop the rosemary. Place it all in a jar and cover with balsamic. Give it a good stir, send it loving thoughts, and place it in a corner to infuse for a few weeks. This incredibly versatile vinegar can be used as a marinade, dressing, or pickling liquid. Of, if you’re like me, you may just enjoy it by the spoonful! It makes a thoughtful, beautiful, and delightful holiday gift!
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a veritable pharmacy unto itself. It is one of the first herbs I think of when discussing cardiovascular health. It is a welcome addition to any heart healthy diet as it has the potential to reverse arterial plaque, supports healthy cholesterol and blood pressure, decreases angina, and helps increase arterial flexibility. Whew! Pomegranate is chock-full of polyphenols, disease-fighting antioxidants found in plants. While many plants are high in polyphenols, pomegranate shines as it is high in several varieties. A quick search on the National Library of Medicine’s website, pubmed.gov, returns an impressive array of studies showing pomegranate’s efficacy in cancer prevention and support. For more information on this incredible plant I invite you to check out the book Healing Spices by Bharat Aggarwal. For inspiration and recipes to create your own vinegar loveliness I adore the book Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar. Cheers to your health!
Aggarwal, B. (2011). Healing Spices. New York: Sterling.
Gladstar, R. (2019). Fire Cider. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
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