In the Kitchen with Jen Costa — Deep Dream Syrup
In the Kitchen with Nature Evolutionaries, a monthly feature that shares recipes from Earth-honoring, plant-wise folks passionate about delicious and healing foods. This is an invitation to connect with Nature through preparing and eating our food.
We’re heading into a new cycle, a time calling for rest, restoration, vision, and the ability to adapt, adjust, cooperate, and collaborate. Yes, those non-measurable qualities can make all the difference.
We got this.
And the prescription is often to dream and vision more. Taking a little of this delicious syrup each day primes the internal systems and gently nudges the psyche into a beautiful alignment between our conscious and subconscious existence. On a purely physical level, it’s nutritious and tastes amazing! With heart and brain support, as well as nervous system and immune system benefits, this blend helps balance the inward and outward demands of moving forward.
Challenging times call for going inside ourselves more than out. Yet this inward journey can be one of the hardest doors to face. The adaptogenic and tonifying herbs in this syrup guide and support you, building resilience to meet change with strength and grace.
Deep Dream Syrup
Yield: Approximately 16–20 fl. oz.
This recipe uses a variety of herbs, but feel free to simplify it. Choose one root, one berry, and one leaf or flower if you’d prefer. Keeping it simple is just as powerful.
Ingredients
1 tbsp Astragalus root
3–4 thin slices fresh ginger root
2 tbsp Hawthorn berries
2 tbsp Elderberries
1 tbsp Calendula flowers
2 tbsp Mugwort leaf
1 sprig Rosemary leaf
1 orange, zested + fruit sliced
2 tbsp Roses
1 tbsp pine needles, chopped (Spruce, Hemlock, White Pine, or Thuja work well)
1 quart (4 cups) water
½–1 cup sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave, or rice syrup)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Directions
Simmer Roots and Berries:
Combine the roots and berries in a small saucepan with water. Bring to a very slow simmer for 20–30 minutes, uncovered, allowing the water to reduce by almost half. If it reduces too much, cover and add water to bring it back to nearly half.Add the Remaining Herbs:
Add the remaining herbs and orange slices. Turn off the heat, cover, and steep until warm to the touch, about 1 hour.Strain and Return to Pot:
Strain the herbs and return the liquid to the cleaned pot.Sweeten and Preserve:
Stir in your sweetener until dissolved. Add apple cider vinegar, tasting and adjusting for the perfect balance of tangy sweetness.Bottle and Label:
Pour the syrup into a jar or bottle, label it with the date and a name you love. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Dosing Suggestions
Take 1–2 teaspoons about an hour before bed, either straight from the spoon or stirred into a small amount of warm water.
You can also enjoy it in the morning while journaling your dreams.
Add it to sparkling water, teas, treats, or smoothies for variety.
Simplify if Needed
Overwhelmed by too many ingredients? Choose one root, one berry, and Mugwort. Stick with the same process, and you’ll still create something magical.
This syrup supports your inward journey, balancing physical and emotional well-being while enhancing your dreaming life. Let us know what you create and how it supports you!
Enjoy,
Jen
Jen Costa of www.eldermoonschool.net
Hello, I am a 30-year Community Herbalist, Apothecary Creator, Biologist/Botanist, 18-year Critical Care RN, Teacher, and Founder of ElderMoon School of Herbs and Earth Medicine. I live among the mountains, forests, and streams of the beautiful Hudson Valley, NY with my husband Jay and three sons in various stages of leaving the nest.
