Elderberry syrup


What do I love about Elderberry?  I'm so glad you asked!  Well, besides being absolutely delicious when made into a syrup, Elderberry is an antiviral powerhouse.  Taken at the first sign of a cold, or flu, elderberry can reduce the duration of the illness, because it interferes with the virus replication and strengthens cell walls to inhibit viral penetration (Hoffmann, 2003).  Studies have shown elderberry compares favorably to Tamiflu and Amantadine (Roschek et al., 2009).

This is how I make my Elderberry Syrup:

add to a larg-ish pot:

2cups dried elderberries
1/2 cup dried elder flowers
3 cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
1 tablespoon shredded fresh ginger root
peel of 1 organic orange
4 cups filtered water

bring to a simmer, with a lid slightly ajar to let some steam escape, and simmer until liquid is reduced by half.  Cool. Strain liquid and add an equal amount of raw honey to the elderberry juice mixture. Give thanks for the blessing of the ingredients you were given for this syrup, and ask for the grace of healing and health to be infused into this beautiful herbal preparation.  Put into a clean jar and store in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Adults can take 1 tablespoon , and children 1/2 tablespoon, daily as an antiviral, to support your immune system during cold and flu season.  If you have come down with symptoms it is best to take a dose every 2-3 hours.

What to take away:
You can take elderberry daily to support your immune system during cold and flu season.  This wonderful berry has been shown to ward off the flu, as well as to shorten recovery time for those who have become sick. 

Many herbal blessings!

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