Elderberry syrup

It is important to me to try and make as much as I can from scratch.  I like to save money and to do all that I can to support our families health. The more you make from scratch, the more you save because you buy the ingredients in bulk (cheaper) and use them in many different recipes (and more than just food recipes)! Elderberry syrup is one of many things that is much cheaper to make yourself and supports good health.  It is so easy and so cost effective.  A bottle at the store or online can run up to $21 for a 5.4 ounce bottle!  I find it best to make it myself without added preservatives and control the sweetness.

Elderberries are very high in vitamin C.  We use this syrup as a preventative to strengthen the immune system, and increase the frequency of the dose when/if an illness comes on.  Read HERE to learn more about this amazing little berry!

There are a ton of recipes out there and they are all very similar.  Try it for yourself and adjust the next time to your tastes!  That is what I did and came up with these ratios!  Really, you need dried berries and water.  Adding the other ingredients adds a little extra boost to your immune system and makes it taste good - plus, your house will smell amazing while it simmers!

ELDERBERRY SYRUP

2/3 cup dried elderberries
3 1/2 cups filtered water
3 Tbsp. fresh ginger, sliced
1 1/2  tsp. ceylon cinnamon
1 cup raw honey, local is best

Simmer everything EXCEPT the honey in a medium saucepan for about 30 minutes.  Cool until just warm and stir in the raw honey.  Store in a glass container in the fridge.

Dosing:

1 tsp. daily for my kids under 12
Up to 1 Tbsp. daily for over 12 and adults