When my dear friend Michele over at Chocolate Box Cottage gifted me Sweet Remedies: Healing Herbal Honeys by Dawn Combs, I wasn’t expecting it to change how I saw honey. Around here, honey is as common as a jar of jam on the counter, but until then, I’d mostly used it to sweeten tea or drizzle over biscuits.

That book opened my eyes to something I hadn’t considered before: honey as part of a wellness routine. Not in a fancy, hard-to-pronounce way, but in the old-fashioned, homestead sense, the kind of simple, kitchen-shelf tradition our grandmothers would’ve practiced without a second thought.

Garlic honey was the very first infused honey I ever made. You’d think it would taste awful, I sure did,  but it surprised me. Sweet, yet pungent. Sharp, but mellowed by time. It wasn’t half bad! Since then, I’ve made all sorts of infused honeys like elderflower, chai spice, chocolate, and even apple cinnamon. Each one is a reminder that God gives us what we need to be well, often right in the pantry.

Learn how raw honey becomes a healing remedy when paired with herbs, discover the power of fermented garlic honey, and get step-by-step tips for making your own sweet herbal infusions right from your farmhouse kitchen.

Why Herbal Honey is More Than Just Sweet

Sweet Remedies by Dawn Combs is the kind of book that makes you want to cozy up with a cup of tea and a spoonful of something soothing. Her idea of honey as the “sweetest solvent” stuck with me, because it’s true. Raw honey gently extracts the goodness from herbs, preserving their properties without bitterness or burn.

It’s the perfect medium for both flavor and function, making it ideal for family-friendly, alcohol-free remedies.

What exactly is herbal honey?

Herbal honey is simply raw honey infused with herbs — either dried or fresh — to draw out their wellness benefits. There are two main styles:

Infused Honey: Uses dried herbs like mint, elderflower, or chai spices. They slowly steep in honey over weeks.

Fermented Honey: Uses fresh garlic, ginger, or other moist herbs that naturally start a probiotic fermentation thanks to the enzymes in raw honey.

Both methods allow the honey to extract, preserve, and deliver herbal benefits with a flavor that's both delicious and functional.

Garlic + honey: An old-time favorite that still works

You might think garlic and honey don’t go together, but they’ve been used together for centuries. Garlic supports the body’s natural defenses (just peek at this PubMed study ), while honey soothes, coats, and brings antioxidant comfort.

Together, they become a golden jar of goodness that’s part remedy, part savory-sweet treat.

A Few Ways to Enjoy Your Garlic Honey

There are so many simple, everyday ways to enjoy your garlic honey once it’s ready. I like to take a little spoonful each morning as part of my daily wellness routine — it’s a small act of care that adds up over time. When the seasons shift and my throat starts feeling scratchy, I’ll stir some into warm lemon water for a soothing sip. It also makes a lovely glaze drizzled over roasted vegetables or meats. The honey caramelizes beautifully while the garlic adds depth. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try spreading a bit on buttered toast. Sounds odd, I know, but it’s surprisingly tasty, sweet, savory, and just a touch bold.

How Herbal Honey Stacks up to Teas and Tinctures

Honey preparations hold a sweet middle ground:

• Tea gives quick comfort but requires frequency and time

• Tinctures are potent but can be harsh or alcohol-based

• Salves & oils stay external

Herbal honey brings herbs to your spoon that is soothing, shelf-stable, and tasty enough for the whole family.

Tips to Keep it Easy (and not sticky!)

Use raw, local honey for the best results, and always start with clean, dry tools. Label your jars with the date so you can track their progress, and keep them in a dark cupboard below 110°F.

When it’s time to strain or use your honey, warm the jar slightly in a bowl of hot water to thin it just enough to pour easily. Use a fine mesh strainer set over parchment paper or a glass bowl for quick cleanup. If a little honey sticks, wipe the jar with a damp cloth before putting the lid back on.

Alternatively, you can grind the herbs finely and leave them right in the honey for a “whole herb” version. This saves straining altogether and keeps every bit of herbal goodness in the jar.

Give your honey a taste every week or two — the flavor deepens beautifully over time, and you’ll know it’s ready when it’s mellow and fragrant, not sharp or bubbly.

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Let’s Tackle the Most Common Questions About Herbal Honey

How can I tell if my garlic honey is fermenting?
Look for tiny bubbles and garlic rising in the jar. That’s natural, just roll and burp daily for a week.

Can I use dried garlic instead of raw garlic when making garlic honey?
Nope, you need fresh garlic to start the fermentation. Fresh cloves still contain natural moisture, enzymes, and beneficial microbes that activate the fermentation process. Dried or dehydrated garlic has lost that living element, so it won’t release juices or create the tiny bubbles that signal healthy fermentation. Without that bit of moisture, the honey simply preserves rather than ferments. It's still tasty, but not the same probiotic-rich result.

Does fermented garlic honey need refrigeration?
No, just a cool, dark cupboard once it’s settled.

Can I double the batch of fermented garlic honey?
Yes, just keep your garlic fully submerged in honey.

What if I don’t like garlic? Can I still get the benefits of fermented honey?
Yes! Start with ginger, cinnamon, or even lavender honey; there’s something for every taste. Do note that these herbs have different beneficial properties from garlic and will be used differently.

Bringing it all Together From the Farm Kitchen

Every time I pull out a jar of garlic honey, I’m reminded of the slow, intentional care that goes into homesteading wellness. These little traditions, like infusing herbs into honey, help us reconnect with our food, our roots, and the God-given resources we often overlook.

If this post has inspired you to try herbal honey, be sure to grab your free Tea Steeping 101 guide! It’s a great companion for any pantry project, and if you’re feeling adventurous, try this premade Chai Spice Honey blend or dried elderflowers to get started on your next infusion.

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