How to make Elderberry Syrup

You may have read my post about Elderberry Syrup last fall/winter. Well, my friend Jill (DeBoer) Low has give me a great recipe for homemade elderberry syrup! You can read about the benefits of elderberry syrup HERE and HERE.

Here's the recipe:
1/2 cup dried elderberries (can find these at Harvest Health Food store)
3 cups distilled water
cinnamon stick
ginger
cloves
1/2 to 1 cup raw unfiltered honey.

Bring the elderberries, water and spices to a boil. Allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Strain out solids(elderberries and spices---discard)
Add honey and stir till well mixed.

The spices are optional, but I've read that they are good for you and add some flavor to the final product. I did mine with just regular ground cinnamon and a little bit of cloves. You could do it with just honey or agave nectar - *NOTE: if you use honey, be sure not to give to any children under 1 yr*

I plan to take 1 TB daily throughout the cold/flu season. I make my kids take it too. They actually really like it. I told them that this is instead of getting a flu shot (Not a big fan of the flu shot when there are natural alternatives out there with no side effects). 



Here's to a healthy winter!!!!