Syrups | Thyme For Health

Here is another fantastic, immune boosting, syrup. The Kiddo loves this one! And it is super easy to make. Woohoo!

To treat illness:
For infants begin by giving 1/2 a teaspoon every 2-3 hours.
For children older than 12 months give a teaspoon every 2-3 hours.
For children 12 and for adults give two teaspoons every 2-3 hours.

Ginger & Echinacea Syrup

1 part fresh ginger root, grated or chopped

1 part dried echinacea

1 cup raw honey

4 cups water

Place 2oz of the ingredients in a saucepan and cover with 4 cups of water. Simmer over low heat for 30-45 minutes. Strain all through a fine mesh strainer and add 1 cup honey, or adjust to taste. Bottle and store in the refrigerator. Will last 2-3 months when refrigerated.

Ginger is very warming; if the syrup is too “hot” for your child’s taste, serve the syrup in warmed apple juice, tea or warm water. The Kiddo does not seem to mind it straight up.

Here is where I bought my bulk raw honey:

http://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Clover-Honey-1-gallon-12-lbs-Net-Wt-raw-unpasteurized-167p2462.htm

I woke up this morning to find my 16 month old with a runny nose and the cabinets completely empty of elderberry syrup. That is when I decided it was time to make some for the first time.

What are the benefits of elderberry syrup? Well let me tell you.

Elderberries are very high in antioxidant activity, they boost the immune system providing much help in fighting coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections including tonsilitis. Fun fact, elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995. It also lowers cholesterol and improves eyesight.
Elderberry syrup is very safe for young children, even infants, and nursing mothers.

Why do I make my own syrup? It is so much cheaper! In the store you will pay $12-$15 for organic elderberry syrup. At home, for twice the amount of syrup, it costs maybe $4 at the most. Here is how I did it.

Organic Elderberry (Sambucus) Syrup
1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried organic elderberries
3 cups water
1 cup raw honey

Place the berries in a saucepan and cover with water. Simmer over low heat for 30-45 minutes. Smash berries. Strain all through a fine mesh strainer (I covered mine in cheesecloth just to make sure) and add 1 cup honey, or adjust to taste. Bottle and store in the refrigerator. Will last 2-3 months when refrigerated.

Here is where I bought my elderberries and bulk raw honey:

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Elderberries-Whole_Organic

http://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Clover-Honey-1-gallon-12-lbs-Net-Wt-raw-unpasteurized-167p2462.htm