Cold and flu season is upon us, and has been hitting harder than ever! The flu, according to the CDC, has reached dangerous epidemic levels – with many flu deaths recorded across the nation. This leaves many individuals and families rushing to get the flu vaccination, which may not necessarily prevent the flu virus, as there are several strains, but will likely lesson the severity should you contact the illness. People are also looking to more holistic ways of staying healthy in this challenging season but practicing the ongoing hand-washing procedures, as well as whipping up some homemade concoctions to help strengthen the immune system.

Elderberry syrup seems to be getting a lot of buzz lately, although it has been around for quite awhile. Here is the recipe on how to make your very own elderberry syrup at home (although it is available online and over-the-counter as well).

“In a clinical trial, 20% of study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70% by 48 hours, and 90% claimed complete cure in three days.”– Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu

Immune-boosting elderberries naturally contains vitamins A, B and C, and are the dried berries of the Sambucis negra plant. They have been shown to help kick cold and flu symptoms quicker. The thing that sucks most about the cold and flu viruses are that the doctors can only do but so much outside of prescribing medications to help reduce the symptoms and relive minor discomfort.

As with any medication and remedy, please consult with your pediatrician before administering to children.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Dried elderberries, ginger root, cinnamon powder, cloves or clove powder, honey.

• 2/3 cup dried black elderberries (about 3 ounces)
• 3 1/2 cups of water
• 2 Tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves or clove powder
• 1 cup raw honey (we get from our farmer’s market)
• Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves (do not add honey yet because the heat will destroy its medicinal properties)
• Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to 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 strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
• 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.
• 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.
• And there you have it! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! 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.
• 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. Enjoy!