Do you want to know the secret to making store quality Elderberry Syrup in your own kitchen... and bonus it will also be a fraction of the price! Farm fresh elderberries. Seriously it makes a big difference in the flavour, nutritional quality and the immune boosting potential of your syrup. Most elderberries are in the dehydrated form and have come to us Canadians from across the sea, usually originating in Europe. Local and fresh (or freeze dried) will give you the highest nutritional value, it will be fresh, and you will notice a difference in flavour.

When it comes to fighting a cold or a flu what do you reach for?

My mom is a nurse but she was a bit of an old school nurse. She would ‘nurse’ us back to better the old fashioned way with warm blankets, homemade chicken noodle soup, and rest. Going to the doc or reaching for a cold meds was a last resort. She really believed that if we gave the body nutrition and rest it was able to fight off most things that came our way. If she would have had access to elderberry (we grew up in Northern Alberta and this wasn’t a thing when I was a kid)… she would have been all over it! The reason I know this is she is now a proud supporter and user of our elderberry products, thanks mom!

Is it easy and is it effective?

When it comes to using herbs to boost immunity it has two requirements in my book…. Easy and effective! Elderberry can be easy - we have premade elderberry products for those of you living busy busy lives and are not able to spare the time to make products. We also have DIY and plain freeze dried elderberry that can be made into syrup, oxymels, teas, vinegars and more. We firmly believe what Hippocrates taught, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” And fortunately, so does the science behind the effectiveness of elderberry.

What does the science say?

How do I make it myself?

Elderberry Syrup :: Make your own Medicine Series
Recipe:

• 1 oz (1 cup) package of Elderberry Fields Freeze Dried Elderberry or 1 oz (1 cup) package of Elderberry Fields DIY Freeze Dried Elderberry Kit 2 cups fresh/frozen Elderberry
• 4 cups of water
• Optional :: cinnamon, ginger, cloves (you can also use cloves but some kids don’t love this flavour so base the herbs on what your kids/family/personal taste preferences are) Note :: Our elderberry kit contains cinnamon and ginger mixed in with the elderberries.
• 1-2 cups honey (depending on how sweet you like it)
• 1/4 c lemon juice

Directions : Add the full package (1 ounce) of freeze dried elderberry (and any of the optional herbs you would like to add) into 4 cups of water the stove. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 1 hour. Remove from the heat, strain the elderberries and herbs from the water (save for the next recipe) and let sit for 5 minutes to cool. (needs to be cool enough to not overheat the honey but warm enough that the honey will mix into the mixture). Add the honey and stir until combined. If it does not mix in perfectly heat on low to dissolve. Add in the lemon juice. Pour the mixture into a large mason jar or container with a lid. This will keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. Canning this is also an option by using the water bath method or you can freeze half of this for longer storage. Another great option is to freeze it in an ice cube tray. This gives you the perfect dose to add into smoothies or into sparkling water for a pretty and nutritious beverage.

Dose : Take 1 tbsp daily for adults and 1 tsp daily for children over the age of 1. (Once you are ok with them consuming honey. Consult physician.) On the onset of a cold or flu up your daily dose to 1x/hour as needed until the symptoms resolve.

With your elderberries that you remembered to save from our elderberry syrup recipe you can now use those same elderberries for another recipe! Double the fun!! 

Elderberry Oxymel :: Make your own Medicine Series

Your strained elderberries can now be used for a 2nd recipe (amazing right!)

• 1 oz (1cup) package of Elderberry Fields Freeze Dried Elderberry or Elderberry Fields Freeze Dried Elderberry DIY kit or saved berries from your elderberry syrup recipe
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar (I like to ensure the vinegar has a mother for even more immune boosting benefits)
• 1 cup honey