Sweet Harvest Homestead

Elderberries are ripe and plentiful right now, here in the Carolina Piedmont.  We have several bushes that we planted a few years ago that are growing profusely, and dripping with the dark, rich, tiny berries that hold so many immune boosting and anti- inflammatory properties. I have written many times about the wealth of herbs available in our own backyards that the good Lord provided to us, if we just take the time to learn about, and properly identify them.  Of course, when using herbs, you must exercise caution, just like with any allopathic medicine, but usually, there are no side effects, and they work better (for my family anyway). Each year when the elderberries ripen, I like to go out and gather them and make up this simple syrup.  We take this daily starting in October, and it has helped ward off colds for my family for many years. If you don't have access to fresh elderberries, you can buy them dried from online herb suppliers. Recipe for Elderberry Syrup 2 oz dried or fresh elderber