DIY Flu Stopper…Again

I am posting this again due to the fact that just about everyone I know has gotten sick with the flu, stomach bug, or has caught something yucky. I BELIEVE in this stuff. Over the course of time I have found a lot of great information off of the blog Jill’s home remedies. Go check it out and find natural alternatives to staying healthy.

Last year, out of a desperate attempt to get myself out of the bed from the flu and strep throat I started looking for some home or herbal remedies to help. After all, when you have three kids to tend to you can’t afford to be out of commission for very long. I ended up finding lots of information about elderberries and all of the amazing properties it contains to prevent and even fight against the flu if you have it. Up until this point I had never even heard of the stuff, but like I said, I was desperate. I figured it couldn’t hurt to try. I went to the store to get my ingredients for a recipe I found on the blog jillshomeremedies.com. I had no idea you could even buy the stuff premade! Jill’s recipe is much more frugal friendly and last longer as well. After consuming my homemade elderberry syrup every hour starting that afternoon until bedtime I slept the best I had all week. When I woke up, I’m not kidding, my symptoms were gone!!! I was still a bit weak from not eating or drinking but the sore throat, fevers, and body aches were no where in sight. From that moment on I started telling everyone!! If someone came by my house not feeling well I was serving them up my concoction. I have had numerous people in my family and friends talk about how wonderful the elderberry syrup was and how fast it took away their symptoms.

I made a fresh batch for flu season yesterday. My goal this year is prevention for my entire family. I am excited to see the difference in how many doctor trips we take this year compared to the last. So here is the recipe I use. If you go to Jill’s recipe she also includes a video tutorial that is really great.

I use the second recipe on her page and cut it in half. This fills up almost a quart.

Elderberry Syrup

• 1 cup dried elderberry ( You can get this at health food stores, I go to Healthy Home Market.)
• 2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups of raw honey
• 1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar

Simmer elderberries in water for 30 minutes. Mash them, then strain into your quart sized jar. Add in honey and vinegar. This keeps for 6 months in the fridge.

Kids 5ml

Adults 10ml

For prevention you can take it just once a day. If you end up getting sick it is safe to take every hour until your feeling better

My kids love the taste and ask for it everyday. The raw local honey and the apple cider vinegar only add to the awesome health benefits of this syrup.

I could seriously pour this on pancakes