This concoction has been on my to-do list for a couple years now.
Really, it has.
I first heard about it from a friend. Then, a random airline attendant. I knew it needed to be a part of my personal wellness arsenal, but its not like I actually ran out and made it or anything. I mean, its taken me 2 YEARS to make it.
Now that Ive made it, Im wishing I would have made it a long time ago.
So heres the pointdont wait two years to make this. Get it made, like TODAY! Or as soon as all your elderberries come in the mail.
Heres why:
1.) Its super easy, even for the mom whos already juggling so.many.other.things.
2.) There are lots of crazy awesome benefits. This article explains in depth how effective elderberries are, especially as an immune booster. Then this study just a fair warning, it is kinda science-y and you might get lost in all the words like I didstates how elderberry flavinoids compare favorably to the flu medicine Tamiflu.
Um, WHAT???? Yes, Ill take the elderberries please!
3.) Hello?!?!? You get to add essential oils to the elderberry syrup, boosting the effectiveness even more! In case you didnt already know, oils are kinda a big deal in our house. We tend to use them in everything from cleaning and getting stickers off the floor to sniffles and emotional support. (If you want more info on why I use Young Living, let me know. They are truly the best out there. If youre ready to get hooked up with oils, click here!)
4.) Its cheaper to make it yourself than buy it. True story.
5.) It tastes yummy and my kids actually drink it!
Heres how: (Instant Pot Edition)
This recipe is for an Instant Pot. However, you can definitely make it on the stove ;) Ill get to that next.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 a lemon
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 cup raw honey
- 1 drop each of the following Vitality essential oils: Thieves, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Frankincense, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Orange
Directions:
- Place the lemon, cloves, elderberries, and water in your Instant Pot.
- Set your Instant Pot to Manual/Pressure Cook for 10 min.
- After it finishes releasing the pressure, remove the lid and set it to Saute/Boil for 10 min.
- Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm, or below 115 degrees. (I left mine out for far longer than that because I was also making lunch and getting M ready for half day kinder. Just roll with it!)
- Remove the elderberries from the liquid by straining. Mash the elderberries with a spoon or spatula to get all the liquid goodness. (Step 4 and 5 are interchangeable, just fyi)
- Measure 1 cup of raw honey into a glass measuring cup.
- Add one drop of each of the following oils to the honey and stir: Thieves, Cinnamon Bark , Clove, Frankincense, Nutmeg, Ginger, and Orange.
- Pour the honey mixture into the elderberry liquid and stir with a whisk until the honey dissolves.
- Pour the elderberry syrup into a glass container and store in the fridge! It makes about 3 cups of immune supporting goodness!
Heres how: (Stove top Edition)
Everything is the SAME except:
- Bring the mixture of lemon, cloves, elderberries, and water to a boil on the stove. Reduce and simmer for 45-60 minutes.
- Skip the boiling step from above and allow it to cool, continue with step 4 as above :)
Dosage:
Standard dose is 1 teaspoon for kids and 1 tablespoon for adults. If sickness strikes, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear. Do not take more than 6 doses in a day; elderberries can also be a mild diarhetic. Not that you need to add that to the list of symptoms when youre already sick!!!!!
So what are you waiting for?!?!?!