01 March 2013
A Jar of Goodness
One of the first things I did when I got back to the states was make some elderberry syrup. I like having a bottle of this health-full and yummy stuff in the fridge at all times...
This particular syrup was made out of elder berries, elder flowers, and stinging nettle. It was a nice, mineral rich and anti-inflammatory mix.
1 quart size ball/mason jar
1/2 cup made up of equal parts nettle/elder berry/elder flowers
Cover to the tippy top with boiling water, seal and let sit for at least 12 hours.
Strain and put in sauce pan over very low flame (careful not to let it boil). Steam off the liquid until it reduces by half.
Mix in 1 ounce of brandy per cup of liquid.*
Add in honey and molasses to taste, bottle it, and you're done!
This delightful syrup will last in the fridge for about 3 months (*About 1 month without the brandy).
Depending on what I have on hand and how I'm feeling...I use different herbs in my syrups. Some lean more towards cough medicine and some simply an all around wellness tonic. I made the above as a wellness tonic. I usually use stinging nettle for my allergies...hence using it in the syrup and elder berries and elder flowers are excellent for colds and stuffy noses.
Stinging Nettle - Anti inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, mineral rich (high in iron), removes metabolic waste, nourishing, is gentle and stimulating to the lymph system...
Elder Berry - Antioxidant, lowers cholesterol, boosts the immune system, improves heart health, for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis...
Elder Flower - Reduce fever, boosts immune system, inflammation, soothes respiratory tract, ear infections, stimulate circulation, rheumatic problems...
I'm trying my best to get into some sort of herbal routine again. Next up is some nettle/red clover/oatstraw infusion.
XO