Elderberry Syrup for cold or flu

It took me entirely too long--several months--to make this syrup. Elderberry syrup helps prevent and treat flu and other illnesses. Start taking this syrup at the first sign of the flue. Elderberries are very high in vitamin A, has more vitamin C than oranges, are very high in antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory and possess antiviral properties that have been show to treat colds and flu.

Here are the elderberries on the stove.

Elderberry syrup

2/3 cup dried elderberries (I buy mine at Wilwand Tea Co. & Healing Arts in Atascadero)

3 1/2 cups of water

2 tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root (I used fresh ginger that I got at the farmers' market)

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder or 3 organic cinnamon sticks 

1/2 teaspoons whole cloves or clove powder

1 cup raw, local honey

Directions:

Pour water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves -- don't add the honey quite yet because the heat will destroy many of its medicinal benefits.

Bring it to a bowl, cover and reduce to a simmer for about 35 minutes to an hour, until the liquid had reduced by almost half (I was afraid that it had reduced too much, but turns out it was just perfect).

Remove from heat and let cool enough to handle

Pour through a strainer into a glass bowl

Discard the pulp and let the liquid cool to lukewarm

Add 1 cup honey and stir well

When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour into a pint-sized mason jar.

Store in the fridge, it will last for several months

To use, take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon for children and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon for adults once per day or every 2 to 3 hours if the flu does strike.

Can also drizzle it on ice cream or pancakes.