Elderberries . . . where do I even begin? They've been a part of folklore for thousands of years, making it into the writings of everyone from the Ancient Greeks to Shakespeare, and they've got some pretty enviable healing properties. A beautiful dark blue-purple color, they are full of anthocyanin, an antioxidant that acts as an anti-carcinogen and boosts the immune system. "Antivirin," which is also found in elderberries, can even help to eliminate viruses!
I mentioned a few posts ago how there are a lot of illnesses going around this time of year (#fluseason), but elderberries have really helped to keep me from getting sick with anything. One of the ways I've gotten elderberries into my diet has been to boil them down into elderberry syrup. If you don't have any fresh elderberries lying around, you can get this at the store or buy the berries in a capsule form, but, if you do happen to have the berries, this syrup can be a fun way to eat them.
- Measure out 1/2 to 1 cup of elderberries into a pot.
- Add 2 cups water.
- Bring the water and berries to a boil.
- Lower the heat, allowing the mix to simmer.
- Once you turn the stove off, strain the berries (if they're too watery), add in honey or ginger (if desired), and pour the mix into a container to store in the fridge.
You can use this syrup in tea, take it on a spoon, or do what I do and add it to your oatmeal in the morning. Fun!
<3 Frances
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