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.
Same here did not pick many i left it too late got about 3kg's in freezer will dry these thought.
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.
Most Users Ever Online: 767
Currently Online:
29 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
2 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
brightspark: 10535
danast: 10232
Aly: 9516
Sooliz: 8084
Hattie: 6920
Ambersparkle: 6699
JoannaS: 4800
Terrier: 4518
eileen54: 4424
Hannah: 4231
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 11
Members: 16221
Moderators: 3
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 6
Forums: 25
Topics: 2273
Posts: 123063
Newest Members:
RobertasseK, EdwardDum, Suzanneclics, Brianalile, JamesSlops, RickySekModerators: Toffeeapple: 16337, AdminTA: 10, Fiona Nevile: 0
Administrators: Danny: 5517
Copyright © 2006-2023 Cottage Smallholder Our Privacy Policy Advertise on Cottage Smallholder