What to do when you have a cold and flu? My family and I make sure to get adjusted a lot and we love elderberry syrup. Elderberries naturally contain vitamins A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system. Several recent studies are also showing the immune-boosting power of elderberries; sometimes even lessening cold and flu duration in half, and in many cases eliminating symptoms within 48 hours. The recipe that we love the most is below:

Ingredients

• 3½ cups water

• 2/3 cup dried organic black elderberries (1/3 cups fresh or frozen)

• 2 tablespoon grated oragnic ginger

• 1 teaspoon organic sweet cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 cup raw, local honey (For children under 2 years of age, it is recommended that honey is replaced with organic maple syrup or agave. No honey for children under 2 years of age.)

Instructions:

Pour the cold water into pot and add the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

Bring to a boil and then lower the heat and simmer for about 45 mins.

Remove from heat, cover and have it to sit for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.

Once cool enough to be handled, mash the berries carefully.

Pour through a strainer (a cheesecloth or undyed cotton muslin bag). Be careful as the liquid may be hot still.

Discard the elderberries/herbs (you may want to compost) and let the liquid cool to room temperature.

When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.

When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a sterilized glass/mason jar.

Store in the fridge.

Instant Pot:

9 minutes on high pressure. Add all ingredients except the honey to the instant Pot. Then strain and cool to room temperature. Add the honey and store in sterilized glass jar.

My family gets chiropractic care regularly and takes about teaspoon or two of this syrup daily or every few hours when our immunity needs extra support (depending on what we are going through). As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.