Elderberry Syrup a lovely addition to support you through the cold and shifting weathers.
I love the dynamic relationship I am cultivating with elderberry, not only with it being a preventative medicine that supports my immune through the season, but also because I love being involved in the whole process. In early fall, my good friend and long time teacher on the path of being centred and engaged with the life force of Earth, Era and I enjoy the abundance of fall foraging, and elderberries are one of the treasures that bring much delight. We are careful to only harvest what we need and are mindful to leave lots for the other forest creatures that share this earthly existence with us, birds, bears, deer, moose and squirrels to name a few. For me this experience creates a natural sense of abundance that I have never experienced through material abundance. This gift from the Earth that is medicine, plant dye, beautiful tiny purple berries feels so generous and joyous, one I am truly grateful for.
Not everyone has access, time or wishes to go into the forest and wetlands to find elderberries, so you if you wish to make the syrup you can usually find dried ones at a health food store, and if you prefer your syrup to be made for you, I highly recommend Wild Muskoka’s Elderberry Sryup as it does not have added preservatives other then fine natural local honey, with organic and willdcrafted ingredients: Water, Local Honey, Elderberries** *, Echinacea *, Astragalus *, Ginger*, Black pepper*, Cinnamon*.
If you would like to make your own syrup, it’s super easy and below is the recipe I like to use.
The benefits of Elderberry Syrup:
Elderberries have immune boosting compounds that help not only reduce the number of seasonal cold and flues, but also decreases the amount of time you may have to endure the symptoms of a cold or flu.
“Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, of Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel found that elderberry disarms the enzyme viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the lining of the nose and throat. Taken before infection, it prevents infection. Taken after infection, it prevents spread of the virus through the respiratory tract.”
And the added bonus is that elderberry syrup taste great. I end up taking a spoonful most days with my warm breakfast bowl, and on days where I am feeling like a cold might be starting I take it a few times a day. If you or your loved ones spend your days in classrooms, workplaces, or the close confines of public transit systems, why not give your winter immunity a boost during the times when many people are being affected by the season.
Make your own ELDERBERRY SYRUP
You can purchase dried elderberries from a health food store:
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups cold water (spring water or distilled water)
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions:
- Add water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil then cover and reduce to a simmer 45 minutes to an hour, or until the liquid has reduced to almost half. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Mash the berries then pour syrup through a strainer into a large bowl.
- When the syrup is completely cooled, add the honey and stir well.
- Pour into a sealable jar and store in the fridge for up to three weeks.
- A spoonful a day or when experiencing a cold or flu have 3 a day.
If you like you can save the leaves and stems to make a natural dye with!
