Homemade elderberry syrup to beat or fight cold and flu - Kid approved

My hubby and oldest daughter  gets sick very often, I think genetically they have weak immune system. My hubby was seriously addicted to Emergen-C and he was drinking it with every water intake. I was worried it was not healthy for him because I am sure there is some "junk" in it. Beginning of this year, I tried to treat the girls, myself and hubby in more natural methods by using essential oils, herbs etc. When I found out about Elderberry syrup from a friend I was stoked and had her make the first batch so I know how it should taste.

Long and behold, elderberry syrup has become an everyday staple for the girls and hubby. They take a spoonful everyday and haven't gotten sick this flu season (knock on wood). Hubby stayed healthy while his entire office was flu stricken. The girls bypassed few flu and stomach viruses other children.

Elderberries contain high level of Vitamin A, B and C, antioxidants and stimulate the immune system. You can purchase natural elderberry syrup in health-food stores and online but are pricey (around $15) but it cost about $8 to make it at home and is very easy.

Ingredients:

2/3 Cup Organic Elderberries (Can be found at Farmer's Market, Frontier, Vitacost, Amazon & more)

2 Tsp Chopped Ginger

1 Tsp Ceylon Cinnamon 

1//2 Tsp Cloves

1 Cup Raw Honey

3.5 Cup Water

Directions:

1. Add the water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves (do not add honey!)
2. Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point, remove from heat and let cool. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
3. Add 1 cup of honey and stir well.
4. When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a pint sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind.
5. And...You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties. Some sources recommend taking only during the week and not on the weekends to boost immunity.

Dosage:

Standard dose is ½ tsp to 1 tsp for kids and ½ Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults daily as a preventive measure and keep your immune system well. If you already have the flu, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.