As I've recently stated, I don't care to get sick, but prefer for us to stay well.  During my recent research the validity of the elderberry has been impossible to dispute.  While I've used alot of elder flowers in the past, I've not used the berries.

This is my variation on a theme that I hope will help us to be well thru this winter's cold and flu season with minimal fuss and muss.

Bee Well

2 cups dried elderberries

1 quart of boiling water

 juice of 2 lemons (or cheat like I did with 1/4 cup of bottled lemon juice)

1 cup raw honey

1 cup apple cider vinegar (I used Bragg's)

(optional) 1/4 cup of echinacea tincture (mine was in an alcohol base)

Cover the elderberries in the boiling water and allow to soak overnight, or at least around 12 hours.  I covered mine with a towel while they soaked.  I also prefer glass or stoneware-type bowls, not plastic or metal.

The next day pour the berries and the soaking water into a pan and simmer them on the stovetop for 30 minutes.

After simmering, pour the berries and water into the blender and puree' them.  I had to do this in a couple of batches as my blender holds just over a quart.  I blended them at the highest speed for a couple of minutes so that they were really as liquified as I could get them.

Return to saucepan or bowl and add in lemon, honey, apple cider vinegar, and any tinctures you want to include.  Stir really well, and pour into storage containers.  I like to use dark glass bottles, but canning jars are always handy.  Keep stored in the refrigerator.  I would think this recipe would last for 4-6 months in the fridge... the lemon and vinegar should help preserve it to a degree, but keep an eye out for mold,  discoloration, or general funk....

Personally, my kids really don't enjoy this, but Marc and I thought it was kind of yummy.  We've been taking a spoonful each day to ward off any germs as we've been around alot of people with flu and colds lately.  If we were to get sick, I'd probably bump the dose to every 3-6 hours, but then again, hopefully we won't have to worry about this.