The reason behindd those Elderberries
After being poorly over the holiday period, I was reading up about boosting your immunity naturally, last year I was diagnosed with C.O.P.D. a legacy from smoking, I am on daily medication, coughs, colds and bugs in general tend to knock me sideways, something I can really do without, It is claimed that Elderberry syrup can help boost your immunity if taken daily link to
I wanted to make my own syrup rather than buy an off the shelf version, at least I would know what is in it.
Link to Elderberry Syrup
The recipe used dried Elderberries, I never knew you could buy them dried
I ordered them from Just Ingredients on Amazon, I spotted they also had Rosehips so they went in the basket too, I do like Rosehip syrup it also has health benefits.
Having them dried means I can keep them on hand, make up small batches of syrup as and when needed, we only have one Elderberry bush here its only young and does not produce a lot yet, same with the Rosehips, I am going to see about planting some more, then when they are in season dry the berries for future use.
The recipe was fairly easy to follow, nothing difficult
I used some of our own honey and one of our own lemons.
It was left draining for several hours, before I squeezed out the last of the juice
Should of decanted it into a smaller bottle, but it doesn't matter, taste wise it reminds me of a cough syrup, with the next batch I will only add one cinnamon stick instead of two as I find the cinnamon a bit over powering and I am not a lover of cinnamon.
There it is very palatable lets hope it helps keep the bugs at bay.
I have added a new page to the blog, where I will endeavour to put recipes or the links to them, makes it easier to find.
I made some of this with fresh elderberries so am very interested to read this post. Thanks for sharing and letting everyone know where you can get them from. As I said to you before, sorry to hear re the Copd and take care of yourself. A lady like you hasaid little time to be ill :)
ReplyDeleteYes no time to be ill here, just have to work through it.
DeleteI've made this in the past. It is brilliant stuff if you have a nasty cold or flu too, and helps chesty coughs.
ReplyDeletewe are coming into that cough and cold season too
DeleteTwo great homemade remedies for the store cupboard!
ReplyDeleteHaving them dried means they are easy to store and keep on hand.
DeleteWill pay attention to this recipe as I have had a cough for weeks now, and no medicine from the chemist seems to touch it!
ReplyDeleteOh dear let us know how you get on
DeleteI will definitely be making use of this recipe Dawn.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing-x-
Interesting idea Dawn - just hope it works for you.
ReplyDeleteeven if it helps keep up vit c levels it will be worth it
DeleteI can't bear to drink elderberry juice and syrup, reminds me too much of teenage fasting, only drinking unsweetened elderberry juice :-) I think it is packed with vitamin C so great for colds. I hope it helps you keep those bugs at bay. x
ReplyDeleteI never got into that teenage fasting, glad I didnt
DeleteCOPD can have an autoimmune component, when the body's own immune defences turn against the body and attack it. Smoking-induced COPD has been associated with autoimmunity in some studies. I would be cautious "boosting immunity", as this could aggravate matters. Elderflower is also thought to interact with some prescription medications, including those used to treat respiratory conditions. Talk to your GP.
ReplyDeleteThank you I will when i am down there next.
Delete:) May be worth looking into thyme extract to help if you have a chesty cough. Think it has beneficial effect in COPD. Traditional remedy in the Middle East. Sold in chemists as Broncostop pastilles. Ginseng and omega 3 oil also thought to alleviate COPD symptoms. Not aware of any adverse effects when that is used for short periods in moderation, but again, check with the doc.
DeleteWhat a great idea - good for you and delicious. When I was in hospital in November (1st stage of a breast reconstruction) a friend brought in her homemade elderflower cordial. It was delicious as a hot drink and a wonderful relief from hospital tea or water. I hope your elderberry cordial works at least as well.
ReplyDeleteMichelle in Wellington, NZ
Elderflowers make a lovely cordial, and a nice fizzy wine
DeleteI have been blessed with several elderberry bushes growing on our property. I make a syrup with my berries, basically the same recipe as yours, minus lemon juice, and add ginger.
ReplyDeleteOh you are lucky to have several bushes.
DeleteI'm part of a local buying group, and every winter these women buy elderberries in huge quantities to divide and make the syrup. They all report great success with coughs and colds in their kids. Touch wood, but we just don't get sick in my home, haven't for years! I feel we're very lucky.
ReplyDeleteYou probably already know, but addressing gut health via twice daily good quality probiotics is a wonderful health insurance policy. We've been working steadily on gut health for years here...I'm thinking that may be one of the reasons we've managed to dodge all the bugs going around the last few winters?!
Thats great, I dont think there is buying groups here, sounds like a good idea.
DeleteI think kts pretty easy to set up, you just need locals who are like minded, and someone who likes to coordinate and agree on buying targets. We have a wholesale distributor who gives wholesale discounts to buying groups as long as you spend over $500 aud. It's easy to do that buying in bulk. Another woman I know actually runs it as a business! Takes a small cut of payments to fun her admin time, does bulk orders of toys, books, home goods, back to school stuff you can't get in the shops...she's also done things like bulk cast iron goods, hammocks, and the elderberry order. Makes it a lot cheer to buy things in bulk and splitting if you have enough interest.
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