Okay, okay, I’m sure by now you’ve heard of this “magic elixir.” But do you really know the benefits and how Easy As Pie it is to make? You may be surprised…

I saw a sweet couple coming out of my grocery store yesterday with two large containers of this stuff – they are really taking this flu prevention seriously and I don’t blame them! Our city has been hit hard with several viruses, including the flu. In fact, last week our local schools were closed because so many students were sick. But back to the cute couple, I had to literally fight the urge to stop them and share this recipe! It is so much better than anything you can buy (most store-bought varieties have unnecessary ingredients added) and so inexpensive to make!

If you aren’t familiar with the elderberry, it has been used for centuries to treat a multitude of ailments! Recent studies show that drinking elderberry tea or syrup daily can reduce the duration of the flu by up to 4 days! These berries are high in vitamin C, phenolic acids which are antioxidants that reduce oxidative damage and anthocyanins, antioxidents known to reduce inflammation. Elderberry has also been linked to lowered blood pressure, protects from harmful UV rays, may heal bronchial infections, and has cancer cell fighting properties. With all of this possible goodness, It may be wise to treat this syrup like a daily supplement to keep the immune system strong!

So here’s the easy peasy recipe!

Here’s what I used –

• 8 cups filtered water
• 1 cup dried elderberries (I found mine on amazon)
• 1 cup raw, unfiltered honey
• cinnamon sticks
• essential orange oil (optional)

Place dried elderberries and cinnamon sticks in pot of water and boil for 10 minutes. Let cool for about 15-20 minutes. Strain tea into a bowl through a colander to catch the berries and cinnamon sticks. Discard berries or add to compost bin.

Return elderberry tea to pot and simmer for about 45 minutes until volume is reduced by half (about 4 cups). Allow to cool until tea is warm or cooler (about an hour).

Add honey and stir until combined. Add 5-10 drops of orange oil (optional).

Transfer to mason jars or flip top bottles and store in fridge for up to two weeks!

Recommended dosage for kids over age 2 and adults is 1 TBS per day.

If taking for cold and flu symptoms, increase dosage to 1 TBS every 4 hours until symptoms improve!

I hope you enjoy this tasty remedy! Please share how it works for you family!

To your health,

April

Classic Elderberry Syrup

If you aren't familiar with the elderberry, it has been used forcenturies to treat a multitude of ailments! Recent studies show thatdrinking elderberry tea or syrup daily can reduce the duration of theflu by up to 4 days! These berries are high in vitamin C, phenolicacids which are antioxidants that reduce oxidative damage andanthocyanins, antioxidents known to reduce inflammation.

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Ingredients

  

• 8 cup Filtered Water
• 1 cup Dried Elderberries
• 1 cup Raw, Unfiltered Honey
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Essential Orange Oil (optional)

Instructions

 

• Place dried elderberries and cinnamon sticks in pot of water and boil for10 minutes. Let cool for about 15-20 minutes.
• Strain tea into a bowl through a colander to catch the berries and cinnamon sticks.
• Discard berries or add to compost bin.
• Return elderberry tea to pot and simmer for about 45 minutes until volume is reduced by half (about 4 cups).
• Allow to cool until tea is warm or cooler (about an hour).
• Add honey and stir until combined.
• Add 5-10 drops of orange oil (optional).
• Transfer to mason jars or flip top bottles and store in fridge for up to two weeks!

Notes

Recommended dosage for kids over age 2 and adults is 1 TBS per day.

If taking for cold and flu symptoms, increase dosage to 1 TBS every 4 hours until symptoms improve!