Natural Remedy: Elderberry Syrup Recipe

You all know how miserable the flu can be right? It's pretty terrible. 2 years ago the 3 of us all got sick with the Norovirus (not the real flu, but a different strain), it was terrible and we all got it one after the other so for a whole week one of us was sick. At that time I was just learning about Elderberry Syrup. I purchased a bottle on Amazon and I paid about $18 for an 8oz bottle. That was the sale price too.
Although this was worth it at the time and we started taking it and didn't get sick again the rest of that season (no colds or anything) once I learned I could make my own for a LOT cheaper I jumped on that chance.

Elderberries have been shown to prevent flu and speed recovery of those with the flu. It also helps lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health, and for coughs, colds, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis.


INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup black elderberries
• 3.5 cups water
• 2 T fresh or dried ginger root
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp cloves or clove powder
• 1 cup raw honey

I didn't have ginger root, so I used a bit of garlic instead and then some liquid echinachea! 

DIRECTIONS

Pour water in medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves (NOT HONEY)

Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 45m-1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point remove from heat and let cool enough to handle. Pour through strainer into glass jar or bowl.

Yes I was impatient and it was still hot :)

Discard the elderberries and let liquid cool to lukewarm.  When it is no longer hot add 1 cup honey and stir well.

When honey is well mixed in the mixture, pour the syrup into a pint size mason jar OR 16oz glass bottle of some kind.

I got 3, 8oz containers out of it :)

TA-DA!! You just make Elderberry syrup!

This must be refrigerated. 

Standard dose is 1/2tsp-1tsp for kids and 1/2tbsp-1tbsp for adults just take this ONCE a day! If the flu (or a cold) strikes take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear. 

Before I take my dose I give the container a little shake and then I just take a small swig right out of the container. 

Avery loves taking her elderberry and now she will get this daily since she's in school. If Emerson gets sick I'll put it in a dropper for him and give him some. It's very tasty (even with the garlic!) and the kids will just devour it. Just make sure to keep it on a high shelf in the fridge so young kids can't reach it. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt them to drink more than the normal dose, but you don't want to take any chances. 

Have you ever taken elderberry syrup???

*Disclaimer- The information included in this post is intended for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. None of the opinions are meant to  diagnose or treat any disease or illness.