Elderberry Syrup

With cold and flu season in full swing, and because we're around people, I like to have elderberry syrup in our home. I just made our 3rd batch of the season. It's real easy to make and SO good for you! Mark is convinced of it's goodness,, I'll say why after. To make it: boil 1/2 C dried elderberries, 1 cinnamon stick , 5 whole cloves, 1 Tbs fresh ginger and 2 Cups water. Boil about 20 minutes. Strain and mix in 1 Cup honey. Store in frig. The boys know to take it when they start to get a runny nose or cough. If they do get sick, I give them 1 Tbs every hour. They don't mind taking this "medicine" compared to my other (herbal tincture with a vodka base) "medicine." Mark did that hot wing contest (see Hot Lips Sunday post)a few weeks ago. While he was laying in bed with a horrible gut ache, I was trying to think what could help him. I thought this elderberry syrup would be good as it has ginger in it, so I gave him a spoonful. I went back downstairs and started to get ready for evening church. About 15 minutes later, I went back up to ask him if we should call Pastor and tell him Mark wasn't going to be able to make it. Mark was up and better! He knows it was the elderberry syrup!