Dried Elderberries

Derived from the Sambucus Nigra shrub, Elderberries have been used in apothecary (natural remedies) for centuries to help boost your immune system, reduce stress, fight inflammation, and protect your heart too. These little berries are high in Vitamin C, rich in antioxidants quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin and are also a good source of phenolic acids which are potent antioxidants that can help reduce damage from oxidative stress in the body. Make your own syrup to get the best benefits from dried Elderberries

Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:

• 100g Dried Elderberries
• 2 tbsp Fresh Ginger
• 1 cup Raw Honey
• 1 tsp Cinnamon spice
• ½ tsp Ground Cloves
• 900ml Filtered Water

Directions:

Pour the water into a medium saucepan & add the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Bring it to a boil, cover with a lid and then let it simmer for about 45min – 1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half. Remove from heat and allow it to cool until its cool enough to handle. Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil. Pour the mixture into a muslin bag, which has been placed in a glass bowl. Squeeze out the liquid & discard the pulp. Let the liquid cool to lukewarm (not hot but not cold) then add the honey & stir well. When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a mason jar or glass bottle. Keep enough to last you about 2 weeks and freeze the rest into ice cubes. Then allow each batch to thaw as you need it. NB: Always store the syrup in the fridge.