I first learned about making homemade Elderberry syrup years ago from Donielle at Natural Fertility and Wellness. It is much cheaper than buying it and super easy. I usually buy our dried berries from Amazon or Mountain Rose Herbs. Elderberries contain high levels of A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system. Here is the simple way I make a batch for our family.
Ingredients:
•1 cup dried black elderberries
•4 cups of water
•1-1 1/2 cup raw honey (sometimes I make the liquid w/o the honey and just add it to our kombucha, juice or smoothies)
3-8 drops Young Living Essential Oils (not all essential oils are food grade)
I prefer 3 drop Thieves, 1 nutmeg, 1 clove, 1 ginger, 1 cinnamon bark and 1 frankincense for this recipe.
1.Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries.
2.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. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
3.Discard the elderberries(aka throw out for the birds and our chickens)and let the liquid cool to lukewarm then stir in honey and essential oils.
4.When honey is mixed pour into glass jar and refrigerate.
5.Give ½ tsp to 1 tsp for kids and ½ Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults. If the germies start to get you down, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.
Very nice article, just what I needed.