I watched Countryfile (BBC) on sunday and they were making Elderberry cough syrup. Recipe here http://www.greenmanherbalist.co.uk/elderberry_syrup.html
As I had a tub of elderberries in the freezer plus some blackberries, about 300g of each, I decided to have a go. My DH always gets a cough in winter and can't have any commercial cough medicine as they all contain alchohol, even the kids versions!
I have simmered the fruit and the juice is dripping as I type. I need to get some ginger for the next step then I will report back on the results.
Update: why oh why didn't I pick more elderberries? In a timely way I have a cold with a raging sore throat and tickly cough and the syrup works! It is also lovely as a hot drink last thing at night. I will definitely harvest more next year and make it with a bit more ginger, clove and star anise. This is going to be a regular addition to my medicine box.
Mutley: I am just like you. I had gorgeous bunches of elderberries literally pushing their way inside my home office window and I ignored them.
Thanks, Suky. I had no idea that they had medicinal qualities. Next year I will be far more careful and harvest them all.
For the past two years, Fiona propped a ladder against the tree that grows at our gable end and harvested the elderberries. I guess I did not realise that this year she was just too ill to do it again and they all went to waste. What a shame.
Never knowingly underfed
Oh my goodness. Sean Kelly Sq. (for um as do not know, he and Stephen Roche were world class pro cyclists back in the 80s - Tour de France class).
Toffeeapple, you are testing my knowledge of my home turf and I am found wanting. I know that SK is from County Waterford but I have no idea where he parked his square. Where is it?
Never knowingly underfed
Here is a link to Sean Kelly, his square is in Carrick on Suir -
http://www.carrickonsuir.ie/Sean%20Kelly/219/
He's not the only famous person from there either.
I'll try that again!
Thanks for posting a link to the recipe suky, now I can print it out and keep it!!!
We made it just after the programme aired and myself and daughter have been taking it through the autumn / winter but haven't kept the recipe!! My son runs a mile from it everytime i open the pot as when I tasked him with strippping the berries for the recipe he ate half a bowlful and was violently sick
Now I need to find a good companion medicine to offer him for coughs...
Hi Littlegreen, how about blackcurrant drink with cinnamon? Would he possibly drink that?
For coughs I usually have a spoonful of honey. Honey is supposed to be good for infections, they even have little sachets to apply to wounds in the NHS. My daughter has just graduated as a nurse and used them in community.
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