Handmade herbal gifts, gifts from the heart.

There is no other time of the year that exemplifies the spirit of giving more than the winter holiday season: giving of time, love, hope, friendship, worship, as well as the giving of gifts. The custom of giving gifts during the winter began long before the Three Wise Men brought the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. It is believed that a Roman emperor, who required gifts be given to him during the Solstice and New Years Celebrations, started this tradition. This tradition caught on and soon the Emperor wasn't the only one receiving gifts. These gifts were simple gifts of food or sacred branches to symbolized the fertility of the earth during the dark, cold months of the year. In the late nineteenth century, the idea of giving simple, non-materialistic gifts began to wane, and commercialism took over.

This drive to consume has continued to build during the last century and the genuine meaning of this time of year has been all but forgotten. Winter holds in its frosty hands a time of darkness, when the sun lays low and creatures retreat into their homes for warmth and rest. It is a time of introspection and a time of letting go of those things that are no longer beneficial to you in preparation for the year to come. Whatever one's religion, it is a time to celebrate life and birth: the birth of Jesus, the re-birth of the Sun and his light, the re-birth of Mother Earth, her trees, plants and herbs.

If you give a gift this year, let it be one of love and friendship. Let it be voluntary and truly from the heart. Let it be made by your own hands and be a tribute to this beautiful world around us. A gift made by one's own hands speaks of caring and appreciation for the receiver and is filled with thought, love and attention that cannot be purchased.

This year, try your hand at herbal gift making for friends and family. Hand-made gifts designed with herbs are enriched with the healing properties of the earth and are a wonderful way to ensure that your loved ones remain happy and health throughout the winter season.

Here are a couple of handmade gift ideas for you to try. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

The Health-Full Winter Cordial is a delicious gift of health. Not only is it extremely high in Vitamin C, it contains antioxidants and flavonoids, which are beneficial for the whole circulatory system, as well as immune strengthening and antimicrobial properties. A fragrant sip brings back the warmth of summer to cold weary bones.

Want a simple way to express your love and caring during the holidays? What about Licorice (Glycyrriza glabra)? This fantastic little root is soothing and calming to coughs, colds, and sore throats. It aids the body in reducing fevers, decreasing inflammation, and balancing the stress hormones. (And who can't use a little of that during the holiday season?)

Maria Muscarella, BSN, Clinical and Community Herbalist, has pursued her passion as a practicing herbalist for almost ten years, and in 1999 founded Full Circle Herbs Company. Along with teaching at the Mountain Spirit School of Herbalism, Maria offers clinical consultations at the Return to Wholeness Herbal Clinic and Apothecary in Asheville, NC. She can be reached at [e-mail] or 828-254-1266.

Health-Full Winter Cordial

An assortment of decorative bottles

1 cup fresh, or 1/3 cup dried, Sumac Berries (Rhus glabra, R.
  aromatica, R. typhina; unlike Poison Sumac, Toxicodendron vernix,
  with its whitish, waxy, hairless berries, edible sumacs have red,
  velveteen berries)
2 cups fresh, or 2/3 cup dried, Elder Berries (Sambucusnigra, S.
  canadensis)
2 Tbsp. flesh Ginger, chopped
Peel of one medium size orange
3 sticks of Cinnamon
20 Cloves
3 cups Water
1 cup Honey
200ml (a little less than 1 cup) Cinnamon Schnapps (to make 25%
  of the final preparation). The cordial can be made without the
  Schnapps, but will need to be refrigerated.
Vanilla Beans, sliced length wise to expose the seeds (one for each
  bottle of cordial you make)
Star Anise (one for each bottle)
Place the first seven ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil, then
reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the herbs to simmer until
you have decreased your volume by half (from three cups water one
and a half cups water). Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to
cool enough to handle. Strain the herbs, squeezing out all of the
juices. Compost the herbs. Return the liquid to the pot and add
your honey. Stir gently until the honey is well dissolved. Let the
syrup cool. Add the Cinnamon Schnapps and pour the cordial into
decorative bottles. Add one vanilla bean and one star anise to each
bottle. Cap and label. Makes 28 ounces of cordial.

Licorice Tea

3-5 Licorice root sticks

Decorative ribbons

Simply tie the roots together with a ribbon and voila! Be sure to
include a note with directions for use: pour some boiling water into
a mug, add a little honey and use a licorice root as a stirring stick
for the tea. Let the licorice root soak in the water for 20 minutes
before drinking. You can also chew on the root for a jam-packed dose
of licorice.