.png)
Taking care of our health with natural remedies is a top priority in our family. Over the last 3 years, we have found ourselves at the doctor's office only ONCE (and it was me, back in January 2020 after a stressful week-long work event). I believe our ability to stay so healthy has a lot to do with the way we manage our everyday lifestyle. We are cautious about eating processed food, NEVER take prescription meds, and live an active outdoorsy lifestyle.
I was first introduced to elderberry back in 2019 when I launched Desert Bath Company. Not only did I want to find the best ingredients for my bath & body products, but I wanted our lifestyle to match that same healthy regimen. Since then, we have been slowly transitioning to more organic & natural recipes; from DIY laundry detergent to everyday immunity boosters... and now I get to share them with all of you!
Benefits of taking elderberry:
Boosts the immune system
Can shorten the duration of flu
Helps fight against the cold due to its vitamin A and C content
Natural antidepressant
Anti-inflammatory properties; reduces swelling & pain
Combats the internal consequences of aging
Natural diuretic that promotes bowel movements
Serving size:
Adults: 1 tablespoon daily
Children: 1 teaspoon daily
If you or your children feel sickness coming on, take up to 4 servings a day.
Organic Elderberry Syrup Recipe:
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
(look for the botanical name "sambucus nigra". These are anthocyanin-rich elderberries that are commonly used for supplements)
3 cups filtered water
3/4 cup organic blue agave or organic raw honey (for taste, especially necessary if you have kiddos or a husband with a sweet tooth)
1 tsp organic ground cinnamon
1 tsp organic ground ginger
How to make Homemade Elderberry Syrup:
Step 1: Measure & combine elderberries, water, cinnamon & ginger into a large pot.
Step 2: Bring combined ingredients to a boil and stir occasionally.
Step 3: Set to low heat, cover pot and let simmer for 1 hour. Stir every 10 minutes.
Step 4: Remove from heat & let cool for 20 minutes.
Step 5: Hover a metal strainer over a glass jar or pitcher. Pour cooled ingredients into strainer. Use a wood spoon to press down on the elderberries and drain them, as there will still be lots of "juice" that you don't want to go to waste!
Step 6: Add 3/4 cup organic blue agave or organic raw honey and stir well. Use a spatula to scrape all the agave/honey into your jar (once again, we don't want to waste any ingredients!)
Step 7: Pour into an airtight glass jar (if not already in one). I personally like to use the half pint (8oz) mason jars and this recipe filled exactly 3 jars.
Label & date so you can monitor the expiration time.
Tip: don't write on the jar lid itself, use a sticker so you can reuse the jar for your next batch when you run out.
When stored in a airtight glass container, this organic elderberry syrup will stay good in the refrigerator for up to two months!
Comments