Fight Cold & Flu Season With Powerful Elderberry Syrup

Well, it is here again. Cold and flu season. I am starting to see the first signs of stuffy noses, nasty coughs and lots of sneezing all around me.

It is here and it is time to stock up on your armory of stuff to keep you and your loved ones healthy. Every time this year I am reminded to take heed because people are getting sick ALL OVER the place. Just look around....they are touching all the stuff at the grocery store that YOU are going to buy and take back to your home.....coughing on the cucumbers...sneezing on the bananas. OMG I can't take it!

So I make my little circle a nice yummy bottle of elderberry syrup because I know it is going to help us keep our immune systems strong. It works too.

So, elderberries have been used for eons all over the world for their medicinal qualities, their high amounts of anthocyanins (powerful antioxidents), their high amounts of vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids and other good stuff that protects your cells against free radical damage and protects you from sickness and disease. WOW!

Throw in some-

*clove: another powerful antioxidant & anti inflammatory

*cinnamon: anti microbial, immune booster, antioxidant, fighter of infections and viruses

*star anise: antioxidant, expectorant, effective flu treatment

*raw honey: a million things but here are a few-anti bacterial & anti fungal properties, lots of antioxidents, anti inflammatory, reduces cough and sore throat, strengthens immune system.

Mix this all together and you have some delicious Elderberry Syrup!

Here is my favorite recipe---whip up a batch today and as always..."to your good health!"

ELDERBERRY SYRUP RECIPE

Ingredients:

2/3 C Elderberries (Sambucus nigra)

3 C water

2 Tbsp fresh or dried ginger root

1 tsp cinnamon powder

1/2 tsp cloves or clove powder

1 C raw honey

#1 Pour water in pot and add elderberries, water, ginger, cinnamon, clove---DO NOT ADD HONEY YET!!

#2 Bring this to a boil then cover and bring down to a simmer for 1 hour--it will reduce by about half and make everything smell good! After simmering 1 hour remove from heat and cool (room temp)

#3 strain the mixture and put liquid back into pot and add 1 C of raw honey and stir until dissolved.

#4 Pour into a dark jar and store in fridge---will last 2-3 months but will probably be gone way before then!

#5 For kids 1/2 tsp-1 tsp per day. For adults 1-2 Tbsp per day. If you start feeling symptoms of cold or flu take above dose every 3 hours until symptoms resolve themselves and go away.

Take care of your loved ones and yourselves. I hope you enjoy this recipe.