The elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are abundant this year. Great bunches of them are hanging off the branches, bowing down almost begging to be picked and made into an elderberry cordial syrup.
As humans, we can benefit a lot from elderberry culinary delights. In folklore, Elderberries have been used as a protection against influenza.
World-renowned Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu has dedicated her life to researching the health benefits of Elderberry extract and has established a clinically proven treatment against flu (including swine flu and avian flu).
In one placebo-controlled, double-blind study conducted by Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, 93.3% of the people taking an elderberry preparation reported significant improvement in influenza symptoms within 2 days of starting it, compared with the 6 days it took for the placebo group to see improvement. REF
Antiviral effectiveness of elderberry
- Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Elderberry Extract in the Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infections.
- Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro.
- Inhibition of Several Strains of Influenza Virus in Vitro and Reduction of Symptoms by an Elderberry Extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an Outbreak of Influenza B Panama.
- Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro.
Warning: Do not drink raw elderberry juice as it is toxic. “The berries must be cooked sufficiently to avoid the risk of nausea or vomiting or cyanide toxicity.” REF.
Ingredients
- Bucket of Elderberries
- Granulated sugar
- Cloves
Instructions
- Cut the Elderberries just below the stalks.
- Use a fork to remove the Elderberries from the stalks into a bowl.
- Place the Elderberries in a saucepan with enough water to cover them.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Strain the Elderberry mixture through a muslin or straining bag, squeezing to ensure you get all the juice out.
- Add 1lb of granulated sugar and 12 cloves for each pint of juice.
- Boil the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Allow the Elderberry mixture to cool, and then bottle in sterilised glass bottles, ensuring that the caps have a plastic seal.
- Add an equal amount of the cloves to each bottle you make up.
The elderberry cordial syrup will last up to two years.