Before I get into this email, let me be really clear about something. I would never tell someone to not get a flu shot.
I am no flu shot hater, and my heart goes out to anyone who’s been adversely affected buy vaccination of any kind.
Still, if you need the flu shot, go get it. And if you’re older, have a compromised immune system, or your doctor has told you you need it, don’t just ignore it.
The flu vaccination is proven to save lives.
HOWEVER….
If you’re looking for an all-natural remedy that actually works, and you promise to stay home and far, far away from other humans when you’re sick, you’re probably gonna want to take a look at Elderberry syrup.
Now, this is not the kind of syrup you particularly want to put on your pancakes, though it does taste amazing.
Not sure what an elderberry is? Well…let me tell you. 🙂
What is an Elderberry??
Elderberries grow on the Sambucus Tree. The berries are dark and almost remind you of blueberries. Native Americans and European herbalists and Healers have used elderberries for years.
The Elderberry is well studied, and it is documented to be antibacterial and antiviral. It also boosts the immune system powerfully.
In fact, people who take ill with the flu or severe colds tend to report feeling better within 24 hours of taking 4 doses a day. That’s pretty incredible.
In my own home, we use Elderberry Syrup (AND get flu shots) every year.
I can’t recall the last time my whole household was down for the count like a lot of other families I know – and when you have kids, getting sick is just part of the territory. Lol
As a treat for you today, I have a quick Elderberry syrup recipe that won’t take up a lot of time and as simple to use even if you don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups water
- ⅔ cup black or blue elderberries (dried) (fresh or frozen, use 1 ⅓ cups)
- 2 Tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup raw, local honey
Instructions
- Pour your water into a medium pot, and add your berries, Ginger, cloves and cinnamon.
- Bring the whole mixture to a boil. Once it is boiling, reduce and simmer for about an hour or little less. You’re checking to see that the liquid is now about half full from where it was.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Once the pot is hot enough to touch, gently mash the berries using the backside of a spoon. You’ll be mashing out syrup.
- Using a strainer, pour the liquid into a glass jar or a glass bowl.
- When a liquid is no longer hot, and honey. Stir the mixture well and then pour it into mason jar or some other 16 oz glass container.
And that’s it! You now have elderberry Syrup!
If you are sick, take two tablespoons four times a day. If you are just maintaining your immune system, some people say it’s best to take it just on the weekends so your body doesn’t get too adjusted to it.
I’ve been using this recipe for a long time, and it’s never let me down.
I’d love to know how it worked for you!
