This winter we have been very fortunate in avoiding the flu but some in the family did have a few days of fighting a cold.  So, out came my remedies!  I was determined this year to not use over the counter drugs to stay healthy and so ordered some herbs from www.mountainroseherbs.com to get ready for the cold season.  I follow WellnessMama and got a lot of these recipes from her, as well as from from GrowingUpHerbal.  Here are some of the recipes.

The Ultimate Immune Boosting Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:
1/4 c. Elder Berries Whole Organic (Frontier)
1/4 c. dried bilberries
1/4 c. dried rosehips
1/4 c. dried hibiscus flowers
2 TBSP. fresh ginger root (1 TBSP. dried ginger root)
1 TBSP. dried echinacea root
1 cinnamon stick
5 whole cloves
1 c. raw honey (1 c. maple syrup for children under 12 mo.)
4 c. pure water

Instructions:
Pour water in a saucepan and heat on high until water comes to a full boil. Combine all herbs together in a bowl.
When water comes to a boil, turn heat down until water is simmering (steaming, not boiling) and add herbs. Mix well and allow mixture to simmer for 30-45 minutes or until water is reduced in half (2 cups).Strain herbs using a mesh strainer. Press the herb mixture into the strainer using a wooden spoon to extract as much juice from the herbs as possible.
Allow liquid to cool to room temperature. Measure honey and add it to your liquid. Mix well.
Bottle, label, and store in the refrigerator.

Dosage: For prevention, adults take 1 TBSP daily and children take 1-2 tsp. daily. During illness, adults take 1 TBSP. every 2 hours while children take 1 tsp. every 2 hours for duration of illness.Shelf Life:The Herbal Academy of New England says that a syrup will last for one year refrigerated if it has a 20% sugar content. This syrup has a 33% sugar content so it will definitely last a year as long as you keep it cold and don’t contaminate it (no previously used spoons may enter).

I have made this 3 times so far this year and it has helped tremendously!  I also make this syrup into gummies.

Flu Busting Gummies

Ingredients:
1 cup elderberry syrup
½ cup hot water (not boiling)
¼ cup Gelatin powder
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil for greasing pan
Glass container or silicon molds

Instructions:

Grease molds or glass pan with coconut oil to prevent sticking.
Place ¼ cup of cooled elderberry syrup in a 2 cup measuring cup and add gelatin powder.
Quickly whisk together to temper the gelatin powder.
Add the ½ cup of hot (not boiling) water and stir quickly until smooth.
Add the rest of the elderberry syrup and stir or whisk until completely smooth.
Pour in to molds and put in fridge for 2 hours or until completely firm.
Pop out of molds and store in air tight container with parchment paper between layers.
Take daily as needed to avoid flu or take every few hours to help beat the flu faster.
Will last up to a week in the fridge in an air tight container.

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