Boost Your Immune System with Elderberry Syrup

Oh Elderberry, why did I ignore you my whole life?
 
Recently I started coming to back to the healthy berry called Elderberry to help aid in building my immune system and others to protect us from this terrible flu session that we are having.
 
Elderberry is broken down into a syrup or juice to help to build immunity against influenza or boost to help get rid of the flu faster. It also helps with sinus pain, back and leg pain, your nervous system and chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s also used for making wine and a food flavoring but this is a whole other use!
 
I got my dried, organic Elderberry on Amazon and created the syrup from there. I also added cinnamon and honey. Clove and ginger can also be added to boost digestion and more immune supported properties.
 
So, how do you make Elderberry? Below is the recipe and this can stay in the fridge up to two weeks. Some also freeze the syrup but make sure to research how to do this properly.
 
Enjoy and get ready to boost your immune system!
 
Ingredients

• 2/3 cup dried black elderberries (about 3 ounces)
• 3 1/2 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1 cup raw honey 

 
Instructions

1. Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries and cinnamon (Do not add honey yet!)
2. Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point, remove from heat and let cool enough to be handled. Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil. Pour through a cheese cloth using a strainer.
3. Discard the elderberries (or compost them!) and let the liquid cool to lukewarm. When it is no longer hot, add 1 cup of honey and stir well.
4. When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a quart sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind.
5. Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties. Some sources recommend taking only during the week and not on the weekends to boost immunity.
6. Standard dose is ½ tsp to 1 tsp for kids and ½ Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults. If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.

 
You can add 1/2 teaspoon cloves or clove powder or 2 Tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root before boiling.
 
You can also make this in small batches too!