ELDERBERRY HONEY AND LEMON.
Want a natural virus killer on your side that’s free from side effects? Kick start your immune system and be prepared with this antioxidant-packed Elderberry Elixir to help defend your immune system this season.
Elderberries have been used for centuries to help alleviate symptoms of cold and flu-like symptoms dating back to the time of the Ancient Greeks and Hypocrites (the founder and father of medicine.)
Many clinical trials in more recent times, have since concluded that elderberries may actually have the capacity to intercept viral proteins, and prevent healthy cells from being invaded even after they have been infected with the influenza A and B virus.
A few years ago after reading some compelling research on Elderberries, I became inspired to take a familiar drink I grew up with and transform it into a stronger version with better immune-boosting effects. I wanted to test out the evidence first hand.
As a little girl growing up in the wintertime in England, my mother used to always prepare a honey and lemon drink for us whenever we were coming down with a cold. She would boil the kettle then add fresh lemon juice and a spoonful or two of good quality honey. Simple, easy, soothing, and immune-boosting.
My little girls had just started to attend pre-school a few days a week, and over the next few months, I noticed that everyone in the family seemed to be getting coughs, colds, and all kinds of viruses on a more regular basis than before.
To make the elderberry elixir I simply added dried elderberries to boiling water, strained and cooled them, then added honey to act as a preservative and natural sweetener. I would make a big batch and serve fresh to everyone, adding some fresh lemon juice to the cup it was served in. Then I would store the remainder of the elderberry and honey concentrate in the fridge, in a big glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid for a few weeks after that.
In my family, we use the elixir as a base for other drinks also. You can add a few tablespoons of it to hot water and lemon juice, but we also add it to our drinking water, and any other herbal teas or iced teas during the day too. You can also get creative add fresh grated ginger and turmeric to your elixir, but due to the fact that I have toddlers who find those ingredients very strong tasting, and for safety reasons for them, the simpler version of just elderberries and honey has worked best for us.
I have been making this ‘Elixir of the Gods’, (as I fun lovingly nick-named it after Hypocrites, who I mentioned earlier) for the past several years now, and I can honestly say that in our family it just seems to work. Rarely does someone get a full-blown cold, and so far my little ones haven’t missed a single day of pre-school.
Hypocrites also coined the term, “let thy food be thy medicine” and with that said, I share this recipe in the hopes that it will help you and your family to stay healthy this winter season and all seasons to come.
PREP TIME
TOTAL TIME
SERVINGS
Ingredients
| Organic Dried Elderberries | 2 cups |
| Honey | 4 tablespoons |
| Organic Lemon | 1 |
| Filtered Water | 5 cups |
Natural or Organic products recommended.
These are my suggestions.
Directions
Boil the water in a medium to large pan, then add the dried elderberries carefully.
When everything starts to boil again, turn the stove temperature to medium, and continue to simmer the water and berries together for 20minutes. Then drain the berry mixture through a sieve and into a measuring cup. Let the mixture cool to about room temperature, then add the honey.
Stir it in carefully and taste. If you prefer a sweeter flavor then add a little more to taste. Pour some of the Elixir into a drinking cup and squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. It’s up to you how much lemon juice to add, I use about 2 teaspoons per teacup.
Fill a large mason jar with a tight-fitting lid with the remaining elixir. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, and add to hot or cold drinks or just drink as is. Be sure to add the lemon juice fresh, as it turns bitter if left in the fridge for too long.
Enjoy!
Drink several times a day to keep your immune system in tip-top shape and reduce the duration of your symptoms.
