An Introduction to Herbal Cordials and Elixirs

Welcome back to Herbs and Ease! Last week we talked about the stages of self care and how they relate to the practice of herbalism. Today, we will be going over a brief introduction to cordials and elixirs and how to use them in your everyday herbalism practice.

Cordials are a wonderful way of getting plants into your body because they are sweet, delicious tinctures that can be enjoyed on their own or added to your favorite drinks. Cordials are also an incredibly accessible way to practice herbalism as well!

Hold up! Are you an auditory learner? LISTEN to this article in podcast format ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

WHAT ARE CORDIALS AND ELIXIRS?

Cordials and elixirs are composed of any medicinal herb that soaks in an alcoholic base for an extended amount of time and can be sweetened and dressed up with fruit and other sweet components. 

Cordials gained popularity in Europe during the time of the Renaissance, and the word cordial is rooted in language that means of or for the heart. The root meaning of cordial perfectly describes what cordials are and what they do. Cordials are such a simple way of practicing the pleasurable component to herbalism and building community by sharing with others.

Elixirs are essentially the same as cordials, except there is more of a medicinal association with elixirs, whereas cordials are associated more with pleasure and enjoyment. However, both elixirs and cordials are sweetened alcohol extracts that have incredible medicinal properties.

WHY CORDIALS?

There are tons of ways that you can get plants into your body, whether it be through a salve, herbal bath, tea, or tincture, but sipping on a cordial is an especially great way to consume plants.

Similar to herbal tea, a cordial is a delicious concoction that you can take your time and sip on. When it comes to cordials, medicine is not just what is in your cup; it is in the experiences that you have with yourself and ones in which you share with others. 

Sharing cordials with people you care about is one of the many ways that herbalism is a communal practice; herbs bring people together and help foster deep, lasting connections.

Building relationships is an extension of your own self care as well. At times, herbalism is viewed through an allopathic lens–it is seen as an obligatory task in which we need to check off certain boxes. 

Although herbalism and allopathic medicine can work together, it is crucial to remember that herbalism should be an extension of pleasurable self care practice. Remember also that self care should leave you feeling cared for, and both making and sharing cordials is the perfect way to live out this principle.

HOW TO START MAKING CORDIALS

Making a cordial is incredibly easy–all you need is some herbs, brandy, and some extra components like fruit or a sweetener to complete your elixir.

To begin making a cordial, identify what your theme is; do you want to boost your immune system? Are you having sleep problems? Addressing the issues that you want to treat will give you clear direction on what to incorporate into your cordial.

For your alcohol base, brandy is a great alcohol to use, although you can use another alcohol base that has a lower alcohol content than a spirit such as vodka or gin.

Once you combine your herbs and alcohol, let it sit for between two and six weeks, being sure to shake up your mixture once everyday. You can even taste your cordial throughout the steeping process to pick out what flavors shine through and when it tastes the best.

You can use both dry and fresh herbs for your cordial; remember that herbalism should be an accessible practice, so using whatever you have access to will work just fine!

Because you are blending several herbs together, remember to label your cordials, especially if you are making multiple at once. You might think that you will remember exactly what you put in each cordial, but label just to be safe!

If you are unsure about which herbs to start with, we have a delicious Hawthorn Cordial recipe as well as an Elderberry Cordial in our apothecary to give you a taste of what cordials are like.

TAKEAWAY

Hopefully reading about cordials has given you a better idea of what they are and how beneficial they can be for your own self care and for building community amongst people that you care about. 

Cordials are such an incredible way of incorporating more medicinal herbs into your self care routine because of how easy they are to make and how delicious and versatile they are! You can make a cordial for just about anything–better sleep, stress relief, pain relief, immunity boosting, and so much more.

Remember that making cordials and tinctures give you the space to express yourself and use the creative skills that you have. Herbalism is a form of self expression and is healing for both your body and your mind.

Making cordials as a part of herbalism is a communal practice; sharing your own cordials and even gifting them (perfect for the holiday season) is a beautiful act of love for the people you care about and one of self love as well. Remember to have fun with it and to let yourself flourish!

Listen to this post on the Herbs + Ease Podcast for a more detailed educational experience!

Kristen Prosen