Herbal DIY Gifts for the Nature Dad

While expressing gratitude and appreciation is the basis of any loving relationship, Father’s Day offers a special opportunity to celebrate our dads, grandfathers, and any other special father figures in our lives. They are vital units to our families, and they deserve to be nurtured.

If you’ve exhausted the traditional gift ideas, we have some plant-inspired ones to help you honor the unique spirit of the father figure in your life.

As herbalists, we are always thinking about the health of the people around us and how the power of plants can support their wellness routines. For dads, our favorite way to share herbs is through food and beverage – something that they can savor and enjoy. This year, we created two recipes that are perfect for dad: a Granola with Tulsi Ginger Maple Syrup to add something special to their morning routine or outdoor adventure, and an Herbal Bitter “Beer” to unwind with under the summer sun.

There are two ways to go about gifting these dad-approved gifts:

1. Make and serve them at your Father’s Day celebration
2. Create a kit with the ingredients and our downloadable recipe booklet.

If you are looking for inspiration on the herbs we suggest for the men in our lives, check out our Best Herbs for Men article!

Granola with Tulsi Ginger Maple Syrup

Servings: Makes about 12 cups | Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 3 cups oats
• 1 ½ cups buckwheat groats
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• 2 cups coconut flakes
• ½ cup hemp seeds
• ½ tsp Himalayan sea salt
• 1 cup almonds- sliced
• ½ cup hazelnuts, chopped
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• 3/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup Tulsi Ginger Maple Syrup (recipe below)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven at 350°F.
• In a large bowl combine oats, buckwheat, coconut flakes, chia seeds, hemp seeds, hazelnuts, almonds, and coconut sugar.
• In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, melt the coconut oil. Add in the Tulsi Ginger Maple Syrup, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon and whisk to combine.
• Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry and mix well, making sure that everything is coated.
• Spread the mixture out in an even layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven, toss and flip the granola. Bake for another 15 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.
• Store in an airtight container, and use within two weeks.

Tulsi Ginger Maple Syrup

Servings: Makes 1.5 cups | Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups pure maple syrup
• 6 Traditional Medicinals Tulsi with Ginger tea bags

Instructions:

• Pour the maple syrup into a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer on the stove top.
• Cut open the tea bags and pour the tea contents into the maple syrup. Keep at a gentle simmer for about 20 minutes, ensuring that the herbs infuse into the syrup.
• When done, remove from heat, and pour through a fine mesh strainer. Discard the solids, and bottle the maple syrup in an airtight container.
• This will keep in the fridge for 4-5 months.

Herbal Bitter "Beer"

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 Traditional Medicinals Roasted Dandelion Root tea bag
• ¼ tsp Urban Moonshine Original Digestive Bitters
• 4 oz boiling water
• 4 oz cold bubbly water
• Ice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place a glass in the freezer, and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
2. Pour 8 oz freshly boiled water over one tea bag, cover and let steep until cool. Squeeze the bag of any excess tea and discard the tea bag.
3. Transfer to the fridge and let cool completely.
4. In the cold glass, add cooled tea, top with bubbly water and digestive bitters.
5. Add ice, if needed, and enjoy immediately.