So, I’m a big believer in the benefits of elderberry syrup when it comes to colds and especially the flu. I’ve only had the flu shot a couple of times in my life and those have been the times I’ve been the sickest. You can poo-poo the idea all you want, that it’s all in my head, but I was there and I was the one who felt like she wanted to die.
Each and every time.
So I gave it up long ago.
For several years we did the homeopathic flu pills, which I’m sure helped, but remembering to take them once a week, on the same day for x amount of weeks, then skip a week, blah, blah blah. I would always forget.
But with elderberry syrup, I really do feel like I can be both pro-active (as consistently as I can manage) and if we do come down with the flu, I can fight it on the spot.
Up until recently I would just buy it at the health food store, but wholly guacamole, that stuff is pricey. Especially for a family of 5.
I finally got around to making it myself. I bought these organic dried elderberries online (affiliate link), because even thought I planted elderberry bushes in the spring, the ridiculous squirrels in my yard beat me to them. {shakes fist in the air angrily at those darn squirrels}
Honestly, I can’t believe how easy it was to make. And I basically paid the same for a pound of dried organic berries as I did for a small bottle of this stuff at the store. (The only other pricey part of the equation is the cup of honey, but I’m good with that. Another reason to get on the stick and order those bees.)
There are several recipes online, but they all seemed pretty similar. I ended up generally following The Wellness Mama’s recipe and was happy with it.
Here’s how I made it:
Add the following to a sauce pan:
- 2/3 cup dried elderberries
- 2 TBSP grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 1/2 cups water
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover. Simmer for about 1 hr until reduced by about half.
Cool slightly. Add 1 cup raw honey and stir. Store in refrigerator.
I ended up with about a pint, but it was easy to make, so I don’t plan on making a big batch and canning it. I’ll just keep the one jar in the fridge and make it as we need/use it.
Now I just need to get that one kid of mine to drink it without complaining.
Apparently she thinks it’s some sort of “witch’s brew” I’m feeding her.
Crazy child. I really don’t know where she gets it. ?
