The only thing I would put in the sugar syrup is apple cider vinegar to preserve it and entice them to take it.
A tiny amount of some essential oils might be OK as well (lemongrass, geramiun, etc).
I really don't think a supply of tannins is going to do them any good, they don't eat tannins on their own, only pollen (sterols, protein, carbohydrates) and nectar (sucrose syrup with essential oils).
I added a small amount of herbal tea to my heavy syrup last fall. Steeped in water before adding the sugar. This idea was suggested on a YouTube vid. (Everyone knows if it on the Internet, it must be true). I also added a small amount of apple cider vinegar . I was concerned as I had a split, not heavy with winter stores. I thought the micro nutrients found in an herbal (lemon chamomile), may simulate nectar better than straight processed sugar syrup.
This seemed to work well as the ladies came through a cold winter well.
Though they may have survived despite my action rather than because of it.
I wonder if you would achieve basically the same thing by providing a water source with leaf litter or pine needles. Serves several purposes, the bees don't have to go as far to find a water source or a nearby pool, the leaf litter allows them to get to the water with fewer bees drowning and the slowly rotting organic matter will provide the tannins and microflora they naturally get from wild water sources.
And if you didn't make the tea for them would the bees make it for themselves?
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