Description
Scientific studies show that elderberry prevents viruses from replicating in the body, shortening the duration of colds or flu. During flu season I use elderberry syrup as a favouring in our water bottles – 1 tsp per cup of water. It’s a tasty, functional food that helps us stay healthy and strong during the season when all those around us are coughing and sniffing.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup dried elderberries
- ½ cup dried yarrow leaves and flowers (optional)
- Juice from a 2 inch piece of raw organic ginger root (optional)
- 3 cups of filtered water
- 1 cup of raw local honey
Instructions
- Simmer the elderberries, yarrow and filtered water together in a covered pan for 30 minutes.
- Mash the elderberries with a potato masher. Strain them through a sieve, reserve the elderberry juice.
- To make ginger juice, cut the piece of ginger into ½ inch pieces and squeeze through a garlic press, catching the juice in a small container. Add raw ginger juice to the hot elderberry syrup.
- Add 1 cup of raw honey and stir thoroughly to incorporate the honey, without heating again. Allow the syrup to cool.
Notes
- Yarrow makes you sweat (diaphoretic) and tricks your body into fighting the virus, even before it’s taken hold. It’s also beneficial for the lungs, which I find helpful during a cold.
- The yarrow gives the syrup a faint medicinal taste, but it isn’t over powering, yet it is still warming.
- Serving size 1 teaspoon as often as desired.
