Elderberry Syrup: Remedy for Cold & Flu

image from Wikipedia

Homemade elderberry syrup is a part of my family's winter health regimen.  We each take a teaspoon a day (when I can remember!) When cold or flu symptoms appear we take up to 4 doses a day.  The syrup is soothing for a throat that is irritated from coughing.  My kids love the taste very much.

You can purchase elderberry syrup at Whole Foods or Amazon but it is much more cost effective to make your own.  You may recognize the berries, some people even wild harvest them.

Elderberries are known for their high values of vitamin A, B & C as well as their immune building properties and have been used for hundreds, if not thousands of years for healing.

The day I made our year's worth of syrup (yes, it will keep for a year in the fridge if you use local, unprocessed honey), I stopped at Water Buffalo on Rodney Parham for 8oz of dried elderberries.  Water Buffalo is a brewing and gardening store.  You can also buy berries on line.

I followed this recipe from Wellness Mama and also read about it from The Healthy Home Economist, who drizzles it on pancakes.

I like to store the final syrup in a wide mouth mason jar.  You will want to stir the jar before spooning your daily dose.

Shortly after making this batch, my youngest children came down with something that resulted in coughs, fevers and occasional ear aches.  My daughter requested the magical onion for her sore ear.  I am amazed by the results -- and we escaped the doctor's office (and antibiotics), again!

I'm always on the hunt for home remedies that work.  Tell me, what is working for you these days?

-Julie