Homemade elderberry syrup recipe, stevia version is sugar free!

Elderberries are an amazing food and natural healer.  Plus they taste AWESOME!!!  Lets learn a little about these amazing berries!  Below I will share my super easy recipe- in both mouth watering honey-syrup and the ever-so healthy stevia version!

kicks your colds butt!

Natural News has a lot to say about these little guys:

Elderberry has potent antiviral effects:

German studies have linked anthocyanins with greatly increased immune coordination. Anthocyanins have been shown to boost the production of immune cytokines. The cytokines are key messengers in the immune system to help regulate the immune response. This allows the body to defend against disease. These studies have shown the antioxidant balance of elderberry to be greater than equal doses of vitamin E and vitamin C.

Studies have also looked at the effect of anthocyanins on the mucous membranes and the sinuses. They have found that these antioxidants protect the mucous membranes and reduce inflammation-associated swelling. A study published in 2004 demonstrated elderberry's ability to improve flu-like symptoms. This study examined 60 people with the flu. The group that received elderberry extract for five days had their symptoms subside four days earlier than the placebo group.

Viruses multiply by invading our cells through their hemagglutinin spikes. These spikes allow them to penetrate the cell membrane and move in and take control the cell. Elderberry contains a potent antiviral agent called "antivirin" which helps neutralize the activity of the hemagglutinin spikes. When these spikes are deactivated, the viruses are no longer able to get inside of the cell and replicate.

Learn more:  http://www.naturalnews.com/043430_elderberry_natural_antivirals_health_benefits.html#ixzz3LLSQzxh3

Elderberry has a very high ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, score: over twice as much as blueberry and cranberry. Elderberry also contains trace minerals and has more vitamin C than oranges. Studies have shown that elderberry supports brain health, improves immune coordination, protects blood vessels and reduces cancer cell growth patterns in the body.



And finally- my easy recipe!

Elderberry Syrup

1/2 cup dried elderberries

3 cups water

1/2 tsp cinnamon

sweetener of choice: 

honey- 1/2- 3/4 cup

stevia- 12 drops or more

Simply toss your berries, water and cinnamon into a saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it cook for about 40 minutes.  Keep an eye on it!  You want to see that it has reduced by about half or so.

Allow to cool enough to handle, medium-warm.  Strain out berries and stir in your choice of sweetener.  Cool completely and store in fridge for a good few weeks with the honey or less with the stevia as its properties are not as preserving. 

Pour a tsp(for kids) or a Tbs(adults) into your smoothie, yogurt or just out of the spoon every day!  When you do get sick you can take this many times per day!  Yum!  

***side note!  this recipe is DELICIOUS when made with the honey but only barely okay with the stevia.  i recommend using raw honey for best benefits BUT if you must avoid sweeteners then stevia is a safe replacement- its the way Im drinking mine this week :)

simmer baby, simmer

straining.....

i split this recipe into 2 jars- one with stevia and one with honey!  'cause Im smart ;)

Somewhere I read that the seeds in these berries were toxic, I am not certain if that is true but i ALWAYS throw them in my trash instead of my compost.  Just in case my doggies get them or something crazy like that- I'm not willing to take the risk!  Anybody know if this is valid???

Did you know this is a HECK of a lot cheaper than buying to teeny tiny little bottles?  And WAY more delicious!  Enjoy!