Boost Your Immunity: Homemade Organic Elderberry Syrup.

Hey Everyone!

The sniffle season is upon us! While we can't completely avoid those pesky colds, we can certainly support our immune systems with natural remedies. Elderberry syrup is a traditional remedy known for its immune-boosting properties, and making your own is easier than you might think.

This recipe uses organic ingredients and can be made with or without alcohol.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried organic elderberries (or 1 cup of fresh or frozen)
• 4 cups cold water (distilled, purified, or spring water works best)
• 2-3 tsp ginger root, sliced or chopped
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 cup raw honey or manuka honey (if available)
• 1 cup cognac (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine and Simmer: In a pot, combine the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with the cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 30-40 minutes.
2. Steep and Strain: Remove from heat and let the mixture steep for at least 1 hour. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or an undyed cotton muslin bag. Squeeze the berries and herbs gently to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the used herbs in your compost bin.
3. Add Sweetener and Alcohol (Optional): Once the liquid has cooled to just above room temperature, stir in the honey until completely dissolved. If using cognac, add it now and stir well.
4. Bottle and Store: Pour the syrup into sterilized glass bottles. Store in the refrigerator.

Pro Tips:

• Honey as Preservative: Use a honey-to-liquid ratio of at least 1:2. For example, if you have 2 cups of elderberry liquid, add at least 1 cup of honey. This helps to preserve the syrup.
• Scale Up: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled if you'd like to make a larger batch for the winter months or to share with friends and family.
• Enjoy Daily: My family enjoys a teaspoon or two of this syrup daily during cold and flu season.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional.