Elderberry (Sambucus ) is a berry that you don’t realise how potent they are with phytochemicals when you are driving past them on the road. I surely didn’t know that they could be so astounding in substances.These berries are mostly commonly found in North America, Europe, Western Asia and North Africa and on our ditches in Ireland ( just in case you get asked at a quiz !)
I have been making this Elderberry tonic since were moved home from Australia, that’s heading into 4years. I noticed that my little girl was getting a really bad dose around Christmas and of course the last thing like any mother you don’t want to have to go to the Doctors or even Care Doc. Also, the trouble is, now that the infections that are going around nowadays are mostly viral, so antibiotics won’t work. On the flip side, we are becoming more and more immune to the antibiotics. One course does not work, were been exposed to more antibiotics in the food we eat. What antibiotics in the food? Yes indeed.
Elderberries will be ripe on the tree in September, this what they look like. Only use the deep purple berries- the green can be toxic even when cooked.
Properties
Antiseptic
Antiviral
Anticancer
Detoxifying
Potent Anthocyanin properties
Contains: Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 60% Iron 9%
Research has shown: Antiviral components of elderberry fruit extract were tested and found to effectively inhibit Human Influenza A (H1N1 virus) in vitro, possibly by blocking the ability of the virus to infect host cells. The extract was so effective, that researchers compared it with the prescription medications Amantadine and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
These wee berries will help to shorten the length of the cold and flu, by up to 3 days.Best to take it in a liquid form.So here is a recipe for an Elderberry tonic.
Once you have foraged for the berries, you can freeze them in a large batch and then remove and make your tonic. Once they are on the trees, it’s a race with wildlife.
Recipe Elderberry Tonic
1 cup Elderberries
3 cup of water
1-2 cinnamon quill
5-6 cloves
5-6 cardamom pods
1 inch ginger chopped
½ cup of local honey
Jars -sterilised
- The best way to remove the Elderberries from the stalk is to get a fork and gently pull them off.
- In a large saucepan gather the berries and put them in and all the spices and water.
- Simmer over a medium heat for 20 mins. Remove and take out the spices.
- Add the honey and mix thoroughly.
- When it’s cooled pour into the sterilised jars.
- They will stay fresh for your winter. Store them in a cool dry press or your fridge.