It’s that time of year when cold and flu season will be upon us and many times, it’s convenient to run out to the store and grab an over the counter medicine to treat fever, coughs, body aches and pains. It’s better in the long run, though, to boost the immune system naturally. Keeping the body healthy and less susceptible to those nasty germs and viruses is always a good idea!
How to Make Easy Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is a natural way to boost the body’s immunity because elderberries are very high in vitamin A, have more vitamin C than oranges and are high in quercitin (a powerful antioxidant). They are also a natural anti-inflammatory and have antiviral properties that can not only help prevent colds and flus but also help the body recover faster from these viruses.
You can find elderberry syrup in your local health food store already made or you can make your own at home with this easy DIY recipe which is more cost effective. You can buy elderberries at your local health market or buy them online from Amazon. It’s best to look for and use organic elderberries when possible.
Here’s how to make it…
Ingredients
3/4 Cup of Dried Elderberries
3 Cups of Water
1 cup Raw Organic Honey
Instructions
Bring water to a boil in a pot.
Add elderberries.
Reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes. Let pot set for 15 minutes. Strain the elderberries using a fine wire strainer over a bowl.
With the back of a large spoon press down on the berries to remove as much liquid as possible. Squish the berries down to extract a little more liquid. Discard or compost elderberries unless you have another use for them.
Pour strained liquid back into clean pan and warm it over medium heat.
Add honey. Cook uncovered until reduced to syrup consistency. Let cool to a warm temperature and pour into glass Mason jar and store in the fridge (it will last several months!)
How to Take Elderberry Syrup
Adults: For prevention take 1 tablespoon daily during cold and flu season. Take 1 tablespoon 4 times daily if you have a cold or the flu.
Children: Take 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of elderberry syrup 3 times per day during a cold or flu and for prevention take 1/2 -1 teaspoon daily during cold and flu season.
FRESH Start Coach Sue Glashower of Busy Moms Living Well recently took us behind the scenes in her own kitchen as she made a batch of elderberry syrup! (Her recipe is slightly different, but the general idea on how to make this is the SAME, so it will still be quite helpful!)
Here is Coach Sue’s how-to video for our visual learners!
Of course, here at FRESH Start, we know that our healthy lifestyle is a whole-life process, and goes a long way to boost the body’s immune system and keep sickness at bay! So, eating FRESH whole foods while avoiding sugar and processed foods, continuing to move FRESH, and even keeping our Spirits healthy, work for our overall health … along with taking this syrup!