Home Remedies - Elderberry Syrup!

So, with Cold and Flu Season upon us, as a Mommy, I always try to keep my kids healthy as naturally as possible, so playing in the dirt, going to the farm, and experiencing the fresh air are what I use to build their immune systems.

However, since I work a full-time job (and so does everyone else in my circle of family and friends), they go to daycare. And since daycare is petre dish of illnesses, they get sick. Luckily, neither one of my babies have gotten the flu this year (knock on wood), but they have gotten a few instances of the crud (one which caused a pretty bad fever in my little man).

Though I could easily shoot them up with antibiotics, I try to avoid that as much as possible, and one of my homemade remedies to keep their immune systems strong is Elderberry Syrup.

Elderberry Syrup has been mothers' friend for ages, as it has the ability to be used as a supplement to keep immune systems strong, and then alleviate cold and flu symptoms if you do happen to catch it. You can pay $30+ to buy it pre-made, or you can make it yourself at home (with a much better taste, I might add).

Here's how you do it:

Ingredients:

• 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 teaspoons cloves or clove powder
• 1 cup raw honey (we get ours from either Earth Fare or the farmer's market)

Instructions:

1. Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves (don't add the honey just yet!)
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. Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl. 
3. Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm. When it is no longer hot, add 1 up of honey and stir well. 
4. 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. 
5. Ta Da! 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. 
6. Standard dose is 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp for kids and 1/2 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.