Simple Home Remedies ~ Elderberry Honey

This herbal home remedy or tonic is one that I make frequently, especially during cold and flu season.
Elderberry Honey is so simple to make, all you need are 3 ingredients:

Elderberries-1 cup fresh, or 1/2 cup dried (I used dried)
Water- 3 cups
Honey- 1 cup

Place elderberries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook slowly for 30-45 minutes. Strain warm juice into a quart jar. Pour in honey and stir well. Done!

Store the Elderberry Honey in the refrigerator where it should stay fresh for 2-3 months.

I take one tablespoonful daily as a tonic to help build immunity and keep colds at bay before and during cold and flu season.
When a cold or flu does sneak up on me, I take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.

As a bonus, Elderberry Honey tastes great!  I sometimes add a spoonful to my cup of tea in place of plain honey just because I enjoy it.  

* I'm not a doctor, please use your own common sense when using herbs or other home remedies, etc., etc.!!! 


I buy my elderberries from Mountain Rose Herbs, my favorite place for buying all things herbal. They also sell Elder Berry Syrup if you'd rather not make it yourself.

Elderberry Syrup

'Tis the Season

It seems it is that time of year again ... cold and flu season, yuck!  And as frequently happens, we spent yesterday visiting with friends who had a little one who was feeling "less than stellar".  Felt good enough after some Tylenol to play games on the Wii with my girls, and breathe on them of course ... but today was sent home from school with flu-like symptoms.  So, tonight I'm simmering elderberries on the stovetop to make my first batch of Elderberry Syrup for the year.  We'll be taking a spoonful a couple of times a day in hopes of keeping illness away! 

Elderberry Syrup is super simple to make, all you need are 3 ingredients:


Elderberries-1 cup fresh, or 1/2 cup dried (I used dried)

Water- 3 cups

Honey- 1 cup

Place elderberries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook slowly for 30-45 minutes. Strain warm juice into a quart jar. Pour in honey and stir well. Done!

Store the Elderberry Syrup in the refrigerator where it should stay fresh for 2-3 months.

Take a tablespoonful daily as a tonic to keep the sickies away.

When a cold or flu does sneak up on us, we take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.


* I'm not a doctor, please use your own common sense when using herbs or other home remedies, etc., etc.!!!


You can be sure there will be lots of ginger, garlic and other "good for the immune system" foods served up around here this week as well. 

What do you do to help keep sickness at bay this time of year?  Please share your tips!

'Tis the Season

It seems it is that time of year again ... cold and flu season, yuck!  And as frequently happens, we spent yesterday visiting with friends who had a little one who was feeling "less than stellar".  Felt good enough after some Tylenol to play games on the Wii with my girls, and breathe on them of course ... but today was sent home from school with flu-like symptoms.  So, tonight I'm simmering elderberries on the stovetop to make my first batch of Elderberry Syrup for the year.  We'll be taking a spoonful a couple of times a day in hopes of keeping illness away! 

Elderberry Syrup is super simple to make, all you need are 3 ingredients:


Elderberries-1 cup fresh, or 1/2 cup dried (I used dried)

Water- 3 cups

Honey- 1 cup

Place elderberries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook slowly for 30-45 minutes. Strain warm juice into a quart jar. Pour in honey and stir well. Done!

Store the Elderberry Syrup in the refrigerator where it should stay fresh for 2-3 months.

Take a tablespoonful daily as a tonic to keep the sickies away.

When a cold or flu does sneak up on us, we take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.


* I'm not a doctor, please use your own common sense when using herbs or other home remedies, etc., etc.!!!


You can be sure there will be lots of ginger, garlic and other "good for the immune system" foods served up around here this week as well. 

What do you do to help keep sickness at bay this time of year?  Please share your tips!