Boost Immunity with Elderberry Syrup

Are you looking for a delicious and effective cold and flu remedy to have on hand during the cold winter months? Elderberry Syrup might just be it! Not only does it boost immunity, it is simple to make at home from just a few basic ingredients.
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Black Elderberries, or Sambucus berries, come from the Sambucus Nigra bush which grows widely across North America. The flowers are often used in the spring to make Elderberry wine. The berries, picked in the fall and often dried for storage, contain potent immune boosting constituents, including Vitamins A, B, and C. Remedies made from the berries provide great, natural support, in part because they powerfully disarm viruses associated with colds and flu.

While you can buy products made from Elderberries in health-oriented grocery stores and pharmacies, you'll save a lot of money by making the immune boosting syrup at home. It doesn't take much time, and you can vary the recipe to your taste.

For instance, I made five cups of the syrup just this morning by doubling the basic recipe, which I share below. I increased the amount of ginger (using fresh, grated ginger root), used much less honey, and added in some cardamom pods to give the finished product a bit of a kick. I will freeze the syrup in small batches, and pull out one jar as needed to add to teas or even take directly by the spoonful throughout the winter months.

Consuming a tablespoon two to three times a day at the onset of a cold may help bring you back to health in no time! Yes, some do refer to me as Mary Poppins! :>)

Here's a basic recipe for you.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe
1 cup dried berries (available at Natural Grocers)
5 1/4 cups fresh water
3 tablespoons fresh ginger root (sliced thin or grated)
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon powder (or a medium sized cinnamon stick)
3/4 teaspoon clove powder
1 1/2 cups raw honey, or to taste (added after syrup has cooled)

Add the first five ingredients together in a pot. Place on stove (no lid) and heat 'til boiling. Then simmer for close to an hour until the liquid has thickened a bit. Remove from heat and let stand.

Once cooled, add in the honey and stir until well dissolved. Distribute into smaller batches to store until needed. May freeze. Add a spoonful to tea, pour over yogurt, or take straight up.

I hope you'll give making this yummy, and health promoting syrup a try!

Please leave a comment and let us know how it turned out for you!

Yours, in health and healing.
   ~Sharon

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