Beat Cold and Flu season with Elderberry syrup

Cold and flu season is upon us.  I don't know about you, but I dislike getting the flu shot.  It seems whenever I have taken it in the past, I have come down with the flu.  I know they say that doesn't happen but I can find exceptions to just about every rule :-) 

A few years ago I was listening to a podcast by a natural path physician.  He claimed that the anti-viral and antioxidant properties in elderberries (sambucus) make it a wonderful anti-viral prevention and treatment.  I purchased some from a health food store and used it and made it through cold and flu season without any trouble.  But it's expensive to buy!  So, being the frugal homemaker that I am, I researched recipes to make it myself and lo and behold -it's EASY.  Which is great, because I don't do complicated if I can help it.  Below is the simple recipe.  Try it yourself and see what you think!

Ingredients:
2/3 cup dried organic elderberries  Where to buy dried elderberries
4 cups filtered water
1 TBSP fresh, grated ginger
2 whole cinnamon sticks
1/2 TSP ground cinnamon
1/2 TSP whole cloves
1/2 C. raw organic honey (can use up to 1 cup to taste) I prefer local honey, when available; when it's not, I like YS organic raw honey:  Where to buy organic honey

Elderberry syrup ingredients

Directions:

In a 3 quart saucepan, bring the first six ingredients (do NOT mix in the honey) to a full boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes until reduced by about half. Your house  will smell AMAZING too.

When your lovely concoction has reduced by about half , remove the cinnamon sticks and strain the mixture using a sieve and a wooden spoon to squeeze all the juice from the berries. 

Allow the syrup to cool to lukewarm and then stir in honey.  Honey contains antibacterial properties and loads of beneficial enzymes, vitamins and minerals.  Heat destroys many of the beneficial nutrient properties of raw honey so do not skip this cooling step!  This syrup has a thin consistency even after adding honey.

 Once you've strained your mixture and added the honey, just cover and refrigerate!  Enjoy daily throughout the cold/flu season.

Standard preventative dosage:

children - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per day

adults    - 1/2 to 1 tablespoon per day

If the flu bug does bite, take the standard dose 4 times per day until symptoms subside.  You can also enjoy this syrup over pancakes, waffles or ice cream!  

You can also buy elderberry syrup but it can be expensive.  If you aren't inclined to make your own, you might consider a pre-made formula such as Sambucol - elderberry syrup

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