Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries are packed full of vitamin C, antioxidants and immune boosting properties (more information on studies here) so here's a way to get that in your every day...on a budget :)

Feel free to add extra spices for preference, I sometimes like some cardamon pods and star anise! Personally I only use half the amount of sweetner listed because for me it's enough.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup
(makes around 2 cups)

Ingredients

2/3 cup dried organic elderberries^
1-2" ginger grated
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground clove
1/2 cup vegan honey or maple syrup (or really any sweetener of choice) 
3 1/2 cups water


Method

Add water, berries, ginger, clove and cinnamon to a saucepan and heat on medium-high heat until boiled.
Lower heat, cover and simmer for 60 minutes.
Allow to cool to warm then strain liquid into a bowl.
Whisk in maple syrup, add more to taste.
Transfer to sterilized* containers.

Dose is;
For Daily Health; 10ml (2 tsps) for adults and 5ml (1 tsp) for children
For cold & flu; Same dosage as above but repeated 3-4 times per day.

*to steralize your jars/bottles, wash with dish soap and hot water and heat in a 275F oven for 20 minutes.

^I got my organic elderberries from Sunburst Superfoods.