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Ultimate Elderberry Syrup

Prep Time5 mins
Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried elderberries
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 4-1/4" slices fresh ginger
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1/2 cup raw honey or grade B maple syrup

Instructions

  • Mix the dried elderberries, water, and fresh ginger in a medium saucepan, turn the pan on low-medium, and heat until it begins to simmer.
  • Simmer this for 20 - 30 minutes, checking carefully to ensure it doesn't boil too hard or the water doesn't boil away. Add a bit of extra water if you need to.
  • When the syrup is cooked, allow it to cool for a while. Then, strain the syrup through a sieve. You should end up with around 2 cups of juice.
  • Discard the berries and ginger. Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm. Add the honey. 
  • Add the lemon juice before stirring to combine completely. Pour it into a glass jar for storage and put it in the fridge. Your elderberry syrup is finished!

Notes

This should be used at the first sign of illness.  The dose is about 1 tsp. every 2 - 3 hours for a child, and 1 tbsp. every 2 - 3 hours for older children (6+) and adults.  Continue to dose this way during an illness for 2 - 5 days until symptoms abate.  You may combine this with warm baths in Epsom salts, crushed ginger swallowed or rubbed on the feet, and other natural remedies if desired.  Rest or allow the child to rest as much as possible too.
Make sure you continue cod liver oil daily. The vitamin A and D can boost the immune system and help fight off infection too.  Probiotics are also important -- offer fermented milk (yogurt, kefir) with live active cultures or other probiotic sources that contain l. plantarum.