Making an Herbal Succus

Written By Elaine Sheff

A succus (succi is plural) in herbal terms is the juice extracted from a fresh plant. Herbalists have been using succi since the 18th century. They contain little to no alcohol, making them good for the skin and mucus membranes, and less drying to the system. This makes them wonderful alternatives for children, animals, and those who are alcohol-free. Succi are best made using high water-content herbs with water-soluble constituents.

This article will teach you how to make a succus and discuss usage, proper storage, and dosage. I will recommend herbs to use when making your own succi, and finally, I have included several recipes.

To Make a Succus:

  1. Juice your fresh plant in a high-quality juicer.

  2. If you don’t have a juicer, you can grind, blend, or mash the fresh plant and press the juice out with a tincture press or a potato ricer.

  3. If necessary, add a small amount of water to blend the herbs.

  4. Let the juice settle and strain well through a nut milk bag, layered muslin cloth, or unbleached coffee filter.

  5. Measure the juice by volume.

  6. If desired, you can preserve your succus with 30% ethyl alcohol. This will help it last longer, but will also make it more drying.

  7. For best results, store your succus in the refrigerator in a dark glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

  8. You can skip the alcohol by pouring the succus into ice cube trays and freezing.

  9. The shelf life is up to two years.

Uses:

  • Succi are versatile and can be used in many ways.

  • Drink as a shot similar to wheatgrass juice.

  • Add the succus to the same plant tincture to reduce alcohol and enhance water-soluble constituents.

  • Add to oxymels and other herbal beverages.

  • Add to juices and smoothies.

  • Add to soups, sauces, and broths to increase nutrient and medicinal content.

  • Apply topically to soothe sensitive or inflamed skin, burns, abrasions, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, or diaper rash.

Dosage:

Succi dosages can vary depending on the herbs used, the size of the person, and what they are hoping to achieve. In general, use as little as 1 teaspoon or as much as 1/4 cup. Each dosage can be taken up to three times a day.

Gotu Kola

Herbs for Succi: 

Aloe (Aloe vera) (inner leaf gel only)

Blueberries (Vaccinium cyanococcus)

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Hawthorn berries (Crataegus spp.)

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

Horsetail (Equisetum spp.)

Huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lilac Flowers (Syringa vulgaris)

Nettles (Urtica dioica)

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Plantain (Plantago major)

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Rose petals (Rosa spp.)

Rosehips (Rosa spp.)

Service Berry (Amelanchier spp.)

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora, S. galericulata)

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Violet (Viola spp.)

You can freeze your succus for later use

Succus Recipes:

Kidney Cooler:

  • 2 parts Cleavers (Galium aparine)

  • 1 part Aloe (Aloe Vera), inner leaf gel

  • 1 part Nettles (Urtica dioica)

A gentle recipe to reduce irritation and inflammation of the urinary tract and support kidney health.

Directions

  1. Measure the herbs by weight.

  2. Separate the soft inner flesh of the aloe from the green exterior, and rinse well. Use only the clear inner gel of the leaf.

  3. Juice or blend the herbs together. Press well if the herbs are blended..

  4. Strain well.

  5. Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for later use.

  6. Dosage: 1-2 ice cubes melted and drunk 2-3 times a day 

Chickweed

Wild Weed Superfood Blend:

  • 1 part dandelion whole plant (Taraxacum officinale)

  • 1 part Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

  • 1 part Chickweed (Stellaria media)

  • Get creative! Add any edible weeds you have access to.

A deeply nutritious blend of herbal superfoods.

Directions

  1. Measure herbs by weight or volume.

  2. Juice or blend the herbs together. Press well if the herbs are blended.

  3. Strain well.

  4. Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for later use.

  5. Dosage: 1-2 ice cubes melted and drunk 2-3 times a day.

  6. Can be added to smoothies, bone broth, marinades, or consumed straight.

 

Healthy Heart Succus:

  • 2 parts fresh Hawthorn berries

  • 1 part fresh Rose petals

  • 1 part fresh or rehydrated Hibiscus calyx

A supportive blend for heart health.

 Directions

  1. Measure the herbs by weight

  2. Juice or blend the herbs together. 

  3. Strain well, pressing if necessary.

  4. Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for later use.

  5. Dosage: 1 ice cube melted and drunk 1-3 times a day

  6. Can be added to smoothies, bone broth, marinades, or consumed straight.

In Summary

Succi can be a nutritious and gentle way to add herbs to your diet. Because they contain little to no alcohol, they are excellent for topical or internal treatment of the skin, digestive system, and mucus membranes and are less drying than tinctures made with alcohol.

Dandelion

Elaine Sheff
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Making Herbal Syrups