We’re not trying to instill a sense of panic, because surprisingly, we are actually pretty chillaxed about the situation. The #coronavirus has the the world worried, the economy is taking a nose-dive, and there’s a ripple of panic. Rightly so, this virus is no joking matter, and we are being realistically cautious.
However we’re not going to lock ourselves in our homes, or stop gathering & being. We’re constantly washing our hands, wiping surfaces, spraying our kids with essential oil blends as they head out the door, and taking ELDERBERRY SYRUP. We used to buy this as part of our winter health regime, but a family of five goes through a little bottle in a jiffy during flu season, so we turned to making it ourselves. It turns out that it is way more economical and super easy!
We add a tablespoon to our smoothies, teas, water, juices, and if the going gets tough, we’ll just knock it back, neat. This is not a guarantee to repel COVID-19, but a strong immune system, hand-washing, and a little common sense is pretty much all we have to go with at this point!
So wash your hands, don’t touch your face and get some Elderberry in ya’!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried organic elderberries (I’ve found the best place to get them is online)
2 cups water
1 thumb’s length fresh ginger, peeled and sliced (optional)
1 stick of cinnamon (optional)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
Combine the dried elderberries, water, ginger and cinnamon (if using), and brown sugar in a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, lower the heat and simmer the mixture until the liquid has been reduced by half, about 20-25 minutes.
Place a strainer over a heat proof bowl and pour the liquid through the strainer. Use the back of a spoon to smoosh the leftover berries through, to extract all of the juice. Discard the leftover pulp.
Allow the elderberry juice to cool to room temperature, then stir in the honey. Ensure it has completely dissolved before transferring it into a clean, glass container. Store in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Take a tablespoon 1-2 times a day to strengthen your immune system.
