So, it’s after Thanksgiving and into the holidays. Uncle Alfred and Aunt Gracie showed up sick for their holiday visit, didn’t they? Today you went over to your brother’s house, and he, his wife and three kids had drippy noses. They did, didn’t they? They told you it was allergies, didn’t they? And you, well, you’ve been valeting your car…playing that “pass-around-the-virus-game” with your car keys. You need to learn to make this Elderberry Syrup recipe.

I have two recipes for you. If you make either of these recipes you could boost your immunity, or if you’re sick you could feel better. Elderberry syrup is an old remedy proven to offer cold and flu relief. One clear fact is your house will smell fabulous.

Recipe One is a quick and simple recipe from one of my favorite bloggers Wellness Mama. I make her easy recipe when I need a quick fix. Check her blog link for many more interesting articles.

Recipe Two is deliciously extravagant. It’s from the blog of Mountain Rose Herbs where I purchase a lot items we use. This is the recipe to indulge yourself, or give as gifts. However, in their blog you will find a simple classic recipe like the one from Wellness Mama. It’s their second recipe, Elderberry Syrup Cockaigne that’s over-the-top decadent.

Here is a link to an Ayurvedic blog post, Six Essential Herbs You Need to Prevent Colds and Flu.  The benefits and dosages of Elderberry are mentioned. Scroll till you find.

I’ve plugged in links for ingredients with Mountain Rose Herbs. One of Cat Harold’s favorite toys is this Catnip Mouse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may also find ingredients at most natural food stores.

 A Quick and Simple Elderberry Syrup Recipe 

From the blog of Wellness Mama

The Ingredient List

2/3 – 1 cup Organic Dried Elderberries

3 1/2 cups water

1 organic Cinnamon Stick, or 1 heaped teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1 heaped teaspoon fresh grated organic ginger or organic Dried Ginger Powder.

Raw local honey

The Preparation Method

• Combine the berries, herbs and water in a pot and bring to a high boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes, or until original volume is about half reduced.
• Remove from the heat and mash the berries in the liquid mixture.
• Strain the mixture, squeezing and pressing out the juice.
• While still warm measure the liquid and add an equal amount of good local honey.
• Stir until well combined.
• Bottle in a clean glass jar, and refrigerate.

This mixture should keep refrigerated for up to three months (if it lasts that long). Take 1 tablespoon daily to ward off colds and build immunity. If sick, take 1 tablespoon every two-to-three hours. For a child use 1 teaspoon, and read the Wellness Mama Blog linked above.

Decadent Elderberry Syrup Cockaigne 

From the Blog of Mountain Rose Herbs

The Ingredient List

1 cup Organic Dried Elderberries  If Mountain Rose is out-of-stock, another good source is Frontier Co-Op.

1 teaspoon organic Cinnamon Chips or 2 Cinnamon Sticks

1 teaspoon organic Whole Cloves

1 teaspoon organic Ginger (powder or root) or 2 Tablespoons grated Fresh Ginger

1 tablespoon dried organic Orange Peel or 1/4 cup Fresh Orange Peel

1 tablespoon dried organic Bitter Orange Peel

1 tablespoon organic dried Wild Cherry Bark

1 tablespoon organic dried rosehips

10 whole organic Cardamom Pods

4-5 cups water

The Preparation Method

• Combine the berries, herbs and water in a pot and bring to a high boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes, or until original volume is about half reduced.
• Remove from the heat and mash the berries in the liquid mixture.
• Strain the mixture, squeezing out the juice.
• While still warm measure the liquid and add an equal amount of good local honey.
• Stir until well combined.
• Bottle in a clean glass jar, and refrigerate.

This mixture should keep refrigerated for up to three months (if it lasts that long). Take 1 tablespoon daily to ward off colds and build immunity. If sick, take 1 tablespoon every two-to-three hours. For a child use 1 teaspoon, and read the Wellness Mama Blog linked above.

 

I have a few more tips to stay healthy

• Spilanthes Herb Tincture

Not only do we take a tablespoon of Elderberry Syrup every morning from late October till April, at the first sign of anything we begin taking Spilanthes. Yes, I know it’s very strange to our culture. It works! You could feel better. It’s an old remedy flower tincture grown from a very pretty weed-flower. A natural antibiotic, at the first sign of illness we take a dropper full mixed with a spoon full of honey. We do not take it as a preventative like Elderberry Syrup. This is a Big-Gun tincture to be used at the onset of cold or flu. Find out more from the National Institute of Health here. 

Purchase here.

 

• Young Living Therapeutic Oil

For three years now I have studied how to use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils with a Ph.D. Cell Biologist at Texas A & M. I heard him speak and was hooked. I know and trust the Young Living Brand. If we’ve been around a sick person, or a party with a lot of people, or feel like we’re getting sick we put 2 drops each: Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary and Lemon in a large 00 size capsule. Fill the longest side of the capsule with these essential oils and top off the remaining space with olive oil, cap and swallow. It’s a natural antibiotic that could help with symptoms. Do not ingest just any essential oil. It MUST be a therapeutic grade oil. Please be aware that most commercial essential oils are adulterated with fillers and chemical agents, and should only be used for room fragrance. Therapeutic grade oils are not available in commercial stores due to a higher price that the retail shopper rarely understands or will pay for. Young Living is available online. If you are interested, please reach out to me directly.

 

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