Easy, Effective, Homemade Elderberry Syrup

This winter has been a terrible winter for illnesses ~ especially in our area. Everyone except THE Man had the flu at the beginning of the year & then we were "re"-attacked with a bad cold ~ including THE Man ~ just last week. It has been quite a while since we all suffered such attacks on our health.

Quite honestly, the only things that gave any relief was my nettle/peppermint/chamomile tea blend and elderberry syrup ~ especially at night to help us sleep. Sometimes, we simply need to "live through" an illness or time of testing to get through it.

Elderberry syrup is one of the best cough/cold syrups our family has taken; many times, it is the only thing that will help us sleep at night. {For deep, chesty coughs, take honey & turmeric}  Elderberry syrup is also a yummy syrup & one teaspoon-full will take the arguing right out of any protesting child (or grown man who turns into an 8 yr-old boy when taking medicine is involved). O:-) 

Elderberry syrup is one of the easiest remedies to make & will last in your frig for 3-5 months.

You will need:

~1 c of fresh OR 2/3 c dried elderberries (**MAKE SURE** they are "blue or black" elderberries & NOT "red")
~3-1/2 c water
~2 TB dried OR freshly grated ginger root
~1 ts cinnamon powder
~1/2 ts whole cloves
~1 c honey (or to taste)
~sauce pan 
~fine mesh strainer
~fork
~small funnel
~glass jar or bottle with gasket or tight-sealing lids 
 
Directions:

1) Put berries, water, ginger, cinnamon and cloves {everything BUT the honey} in a sauce pan, cover & bring to boil; watch so that it doesn't boil over.

2) Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to low & simmer for about 45-60 minutes. Liquid should reduce to about 1/2.

3) Let cool enough to be handled and then, with a fork, smash-up the berries, then strain through a fine mesh strainer.

4)  Once it is cool enough, add 1 c of honey, or to taste, and stir well to completely mix.

5)  Using a funnel, if needed, pour the syrup into glass bottle or jar, seal tightly; store in refrigerator.

6) Recipe makes about 16 oz.

Love my gasket-lid bottles.

Let me know how much you LOVE this easy, effective recipe.

P.S. ~ If you do not have access to bulk elderberries or time to make this syrup, I highly recommend Gaia Elderberry Syrup from your local health food market.

 
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><