Elderberry syrup

Winter is often when colds and flu make an appearance, generally because we’re stuck inside and don’t get enough vitamin D in the form of sunshine. In fall and winter months you can bump up your immune system with the flavonoids and vitamins in elderberry syrup, but it won’t hurt to take extra supplements like vitamins C and D along with zinc and quercetin. You will pay anywhere from $10 to $35 for a 30-day supply if you buy elderberry syrup or gummies online, or you can make your own 60-90 day supply for the entire family in about an hour, using organic ingredients you control for roughly $10.

Benefits of elderberry syrup: https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/benefits-of-elderberry-syrup

Ingredients
4 cups filtered, spring or distilled water
1 cup dried organic elderberries or 2 cups fresh berries
1 organic cinnamon stick
4 whole organic cloves
2-3 teaspoons fresh organic or dried chopped ginger root
1 cup raw organic honey

Put all but honey in a stainless steel pot and boil uncovered until reduced by half, 30-45 minutes. Occasionally use a potato masher to smoosh out the pulp of the berries. You may also choose to steep the mixture for an additional hour after you turn off the heat.

In a fine wire mesh strainer over a bowl, pour the contents of the cooking pot into it and smash the berries to extract as much liquid as possible. Once it cools a bit, add the honey and dissolve into the mixture. Pour into a glass container, cover, and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 months. To make it shelf stable (you don’t have to store in the fridge) for 2-3 months, you may add a cup of vodka or brandy or double the honey. Be sure to add honey in a ratio that is at least half of the total volume of liquid after it has simmered. This amount can change slightly and you want to make sure you have enough preservative so that your syrup won't spoil.

Adult dose: Take 2-3 teaspoons.
Child (over 2 [honey can be harmful to children under 2]) take 1 teaspoon.
At the first sign of sniffles or sore throat, take a dose every 6 to 8 hours.

You can freeze the used pulp in teaspoon-sized servings then steep with your favorite tea for 5 minutes.

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