Growing up, I would always take a spoonful of honey with lemon when I was feeling under the weather.

But when you’re stuck in bed and just need a little extra push, Elderberry is here to save the day.

Several clinical studies have shown that elderberry is a strong antiviral supplement and is wonderful for flu prevention and treatment.

As always, make sure you consult with your doctor before you take any natural medicines in case of allergies!

Elderberry Syrup

1 cup dried black elderberries

2 cups water

1 cup local honey

1 empty bottle

1 strainer

Optional:

4 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, a wedge of lemon, 2 tablespoons echinacea or a spoonful of ginger.

 How-to

1. Place all the dry ingredients in a pot.

2. Put the 2 cups of water over your dry ingredients.

3. Turn on stove and leave the mixture with lid on for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Turn off stove and strain mixture into dark bottle—be careful, syrup is hot!

5. Add 1 cup honey to strained syrup. Stir well,

Take a tablespoon of elderberry syrup everyday as prevention. At the first sign of a cold or flu, you can take up to three times a day or as needed with plenty of fluids. It’s a really yummy berry syrup that you can get creative with.

Not just medicine!

You can make a fizzy elderberry drink with a little bit of the syrup and some club soda or mineral water—you get vitamin C and an immune system boost too!

It can be used as a syrup topping for dairy-free ice cream (Coconut ice cream is my favorite).

Make some elderberry lemonade or get creative when you’re baking and use elderberry as a sweetening substitute.

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Assistant Ed: Karissa Kneeland/Ed: Bryonie Wise