Elderberry Syrup & Manuka Honey for Cold & Flu Season Healing

Looking for something a little less conventional, more homeopathic this flu season? Centuries old Elderberry Syrup may be just the solution. Elderberry Syrup is made using black elderberries either dried or fresh, though dried are much easier to buy. These powerful berries come from the Elder tree and it’s flowers have long been used topically for wound healing and treating symptoms of the cold and flu. The powerful properties of this tree has caused it to be dubbed the country people’s medicine chest!

So how do we use these elderberries? They can be made into an elixir like a syrup or jam, or a vinegar to be consumed. Eating elderberries raw can cause stomach upset.

The reason these berries are held in such high regard is because they are super high in antioxidants, [that stem from the berry’s deep violet blue color ], are antiviral, antidiabetic, anti inflammatory, and improves immune function! Now that's 'berry' good!

Elderberry syrup taken during cold/flu season, for sinus infections, ( I’m stuck with both a virus and secondary sinus infection, what fun!😆🤤) fevers, allergy flares, sore throats and more can be consumed daily to bolster immunity.

Buying 🍇 elderberry syrup can be very pricey and it’s so simple and quick to whip up a batch on your own. Besides this is a good way to make sure your syrup is pure without any additives!🙋🏽‍♀️ Below is our Easy Elderberry Syrup Recipe:

Elderberry Syrup

1 cup dried elderberries

3 cups filtered water

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cloves ground or ground

1 cup Manuka (or whatever honey you have on hand )

11/2 tsp turmeric or 1 (I) inch piece of turmeric root

1 (1) inch piece ginger root or 1-2 tbsp ground

1 star anise seed or a pinch of ground (feel free to leave this out, we just really like

the flavor as well as it’s benefits!😋

Add elderberries and spices to the water and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for about 30-40 minutes or until the mixture has reduced to about 2/3 or half of what it was. Allow to cool and place into a glass jar and keep stored in the fridge. Ours has kept for up to 3 weeks but by then it's usually gone!

For kids take 1/2 -1 tsp for adults 1 tbsp. This can be taken a few times a day when an illness has set in.

We like using Manuka Honey at LivingThruGrace. Manuka is a honey that's indigenous to New Zealand made by bees who pollinate the manuka bush. What set's this honey apart form other types is it's antibacterial properties. An ingredient called Methylgloxal is the 'secret' or active ingredient responsible for it's antibacterial benefits. Along with this; manuka also contains antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits like traditional honey.

[ This poor guy could use a little love from and healing from manuka! ]

Manuka has also been used for centuries for healing, in particular wound healing, and for preventing tooth decay as well as for digestive issues.

Manuka attacks and minimizes harmful oral bacteria that's associated to tooth decay, plaque and gum irritations. It's the high antibacterial property that makes this an effective oral care addition.

Manuka was approved by the US FDA as a wound healing option! This honey's properties along with being able to keep the wound area moist and adding a protective cover makes it ideal as a preventative for microbial infections in the wound.

Understanding more about why and how manuka honey is so powerful, you can see why it's our honey of choice for sick bay! :() However, manuka can be pricey, but I found a good size jar at Costco, but it was still 39.00 Seeing that most small jars of manuka run around 12-20 dollars, and that I plan on using this for skin care as well, I splurged on it. However Simple Raw honey that's just about everywhere could prove to be a much better deal while still offering other healing benefits of honey. (Just not the Highest Antibacterial properties). Buy what fits into your budget. The elderberry syrup will still be effective in fighting illness and boosting immunity!

[ They will fill your house with a grape-prune like scent! :() ]

[ Brewing Berries! ]

The additional spices are too, full of antioxidants ( nutmeg being among the strongest antioxidants). All of the spices we used are antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory super stars, not to mention they add a warm spicy -sweet flavor to the syrup. I personally enjoy the taste of the elderberry syrup. It tastes like a cross between grape and prune juice LOL! My husband on the other hand doesn't appreciate the taste so much. :()