What you'll need:
- 3.5 cups water
- 1 cup dried elderberries.
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon (or so) of cinnamon chips or powder.
- 4-5 cloves
- 1-2 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger root
- 1/2-1 cup raw honey
- 2 star anise pods (optional)
I get all of my herbs and spices, including the elderberries, at Mountain Rose Herbs.
Step-by-step:
- Add all ingredients except for honey to a pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and let simmer until liquid is reduced by about half. This will take about 45 minutes-1 hour.
- Remove cinnamon stick if used.
- Strain remaining ingredients by placing a strainer over a glass bowl and mashing with a wooden spoon or through a nut milk bag or with cheesecloth. If using a nut milk bag, strain through strainer first and then allow mixture to cool a bit more so you can handle the bag and really extract it all.
- Allow liquid to cool so not completely steaming and add in honey. I recommend starting with half a cup and then adding a bit at at time until you've reached your desired level of sweetness.
- Transfer to a clean jar and store in the fridge.
Dosage:
Maintenance: 1 Tablespoon per day.
When you feel something coming on: 3-4 Tablespoons per day.
