I was introduced to elderberries when I met the Engineer. He shared not for the benefit of my health, but to increase my repertoire of memorable quotes. The first fragment of a Monty Python movie my green ears heard was the following retort,
I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.
I’m not sure why having a father smelling of elderberries is altogether offensive, but I do know that any pathogen would turn tale and run due to the elderberry’s antiviral properties.
For this reason, the elderberry has entered our home. We have been fighting sickness since before Thanksgiving. And I want to eradicate this unwanted disruption from our immune system.
A combination of several factors allowed the germs to migrate and take up residence in our home. Factors contributing to this ambush are a combination of any one or more of the following:
- irregular bedtimes
- frequenting the children’s area at the gym
- homeschool co-op
- a greater than average usage of shopping carts
- the entrance of an unwanted enemy that was difficult to defeat: white sugar
- a large family
- thumb suckers
- skipping supplements (i.e. vitamins, cod liver oil, and probiotics)
- not washing hands upon returning from errands
- A lack of Thieves Oil anointing our feet
- swerving from the ways of whole food cooking-- nourishing, diverse and colorful meals
When you begin skipping protocols that aide in health, sickness is just around the corner. Once one member of the family becomes sick, it really is a matter of time before the entire house has shared germs.
We have been fighting our unseen enemy through prayer and homeopathy.
To boost our bodys’ immune response, I have added a new food based supplement . . . a new weapon.
Elderberry Syrup
(recipe is courtesy of Cara from Health Home and Happiness)
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 2 tablespoons rose hips
- 2 - 4 cinnamon sticks
- 5 cloves
- 1 one-inch peeled fresh ginger
- 1/4 vanilla bean
- 4 cups of filtered water
- 2 cups raw honey
Directions
Place elderberries, rose hips, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger and vanilla bean, and water in a saucepan.
Bring water to a boil and then simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
You want the water to reduce by half or have the remaining liquid appear syrupy.
A word of caution, should you tarry and allow your entire house to smell of elderberries then you may find that said berries will slurp up all of your remaining liquid leaving you . . . still sick.
Moral of the story: don’t become too distracted when making this elixir.
Separate the syrup from the ingredients.
After you have allowed the contents of your pot to moderately cool, add honey.
I didn’t immediately pour honey into the hot pan because I want my honey to retain its beneficial health properties.
Eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb,
which are sweet to your taste.Proverbs 24:13
Stir and pour into a Mason Jar. Keep contents in the refrigerator.
Usage: Cara recommends that adults ingest 2 teaspoons daily and children 1 teaspoon each day. Please remember that it is not wise for children under the age of one to ingest honey.
For more great recipes from Cara, including grain free menus head on over to read about her GAPS friendly monthly menu plans. They are 30% off right now if you use the coupon code SUPERSALE (valid until the evening of January 1, 2012).
