Zoe Dean a natural view to healing

08/04/2023

https://naturalsociety.com/health-benefits-chives/

08/04/2023

18/05/2022

Home made sun cream.
Many years ago I decided to cut all the chemicals out of my daily routine. I have been making all my own creams and cleaners and perfume ever since. One of the biggest chemical products we use is suncream, its come to light in recent years that the ingredients in most shop brought suncream is so bad for you so every year I make my own and its awsome. I have very fair skin and burn easily but this really works and I get a good tan aswell and I use on my daughter with no trouble.

25/10/2021

been quiet for a while. been doing lots of new projects. I'm planing on starting back up on my A-Z of kitchen healing but until then please check out my YouTube. latest video is how to make hedgerow jelly made with many nutritious foraged fruits. https://youtu.be/yA6fTMhJuF0

welcome back to my latest video on how I turned all my foraged fruit into a lovely jelly full of vitamin C ready for the winter please like and subscribe tha...

26/06/2021

Keto Rhubarb crumble receipe

fruit base
350g of rhubarb
350g of blackberries
2 tablespoons of erythratol
the juice and grated rind of half a lemon.

crumble topping

60g butter (I like salted)
I cup of almond flour
1/4 cup of almond flakes
2 tablespoons of erythratol

fruit base
put all ingredients into a pan and bring to the boil.
simmer for 10 mins or until rhubarb has soffened and started to break up.
add to heat proof dish and let cool.

crumble topping
melt butter and add erythratol and mix in.
in a bowl add almond flour and flakes mix in melted butter squeeze together to get crumble consistency.
add to top of base and place in a hot oven at 170 for 15 mins.
but keep and eye on it as almond flour can burn fast.
leave to cool a bit and serve with cream enjoy 😋

macros worked out at 8 portions without cream.

10/05/2021

(Gallium Aparine) also know as Cleavers or stick w***y is an edible w**d or wildflower that is abundant this time of year as see growing all over an vacant allotment plots compost bin. 🌿💚

Cleavers has a cooling and cleansing action on the whole body system and is a strong diuretic.🌿💚

Cleavers has been used for centuries to relive edema and water retention and promote urine formation during bladder infections.
It also used for lymph swelling, jaundice and wounds.🌿💚

This bright green sticky plant that can grow up to 6ft high is highly nutritious medical herb and is actually a relative to coffee.🍵💚

You can eat it raw or use in salads, stews and soups. The roasted seeds make a delicious coffee alternative and the roots can be used to make a permanent red dye.❤️🌿💚

In folk law it is believed that drinking Cleavers in a tonic will make you beautiful.😁🌿💚

You can make an effective tincture from it also an infusion for salves and creams used for eczema or psoriasis.🌿💚

Cleavers is a highly effective detoxification agent. 🌿💚

28/03/2021

LAMIUM PURPUREUM. or Red Dead Nettle.

One of the things I love about having an allotment is the surprise of each season and what healing w**ds pop thier heads up and spring is one of the best months for this.🌱🌞😎

Where others see troublesome w**ds I see an abundance of healing and nutritious plants and red dead nettle is definitely one of them.🌿🌱

No more foraging in the woods for thease little beautys as the pathways of our allotment are covered with them.

Red dead nettles are full of vitamin C high in antioxidants, iron and fibre.

They can be used in salads or to make pesto but they really taste that great a bit like over cooked spinich 🤮 so personally I use as a medical herb.

When made into a tincture using a high strength vodka they make a good vitamin C boost an allergy relife and have some pain killing qualitys when taken as a few drops daily.😜

or as an infusion used in salves, balms and creams for sore or itchy skin irratations abs allergys or as a joint or muscle rub for pain suitable for children as well as adults akso as a relief for bites and stings.🐝🕷️🦟

So next time you see this little beauty pop up in your veg patch in spring maybe you can use it instead of just pull it up but if you do it's a great addition to your compost. but please leave some for the bees.🐝🐝🐝

This batch I picked today is going into an infusion to be made into a sting and bit salve for the summer. 🌞❤️😎

15/03/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen

24 Kale
Kale is high up there in the superfood category and is the king of the super healthy greens and is considered to be one of the healthiest and nutritious foods in existence.

Kale ids loaded with beneficial compounds and some of them have powerful medical properties.

Kale is closely related to the cabbage and is a cruciferous vegetable like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts.

There are many different types of kale and the leaves can vary in shape, size and can be green or purple but the most common is curly kale or scots kale which has green curly leaves and a hard fibrous stem.

Kale is very high in vitamins A, B6, C, K, manganese, magnesium, calcium, copper and potassium it also contains high levels of vitamin B1(thiamin) vitamin B2(riboflavin) vitamin B3(niacin) iron and phosphorus. It also contains a small amount of omega 3 it is low calorie and low carb making it a great addition to any healthy diet and making it one of the most nutrient dense foods in existence.

Kale contains very powerful antioxidant’s making it great for reducing oxidative stress which is the main cause for many diseases including cancer.

Kale has very powerful heart protective quality’s and it can lower blood pressure. It is a strong anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant and anti-cancer.

Kale is so high in vitamin C in fact 4.5 times higher than spinach and it is been show it be highly absorbable when consumed in kale making it a great food to consume to maintain a healthy immune system.

Kale is also one of the worlds best sources in vitamin K1 which is critical for blood clotting and it does this by activating certain proteins and giving them the ability to build calcium.

Kale also contains lutein and zeaxanthin which are powerful nutrients that protect the eyes and can lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Kale can lower the risks of heart disease and Alzheimer’s and it lowers cholesterol and it is also a good source of minerals most people don’t get enough of it is also low in oxalate which is a substance found in some plant foods that prevent our bodies absorption of these vital minerals.

Kale is also known for its ability to promote detoxification because it contains a compound known as isothiocyanates which break down highly toxic compounds in the body making it easy for you body to remove them this makes it a great liver support and great for healthy skin and hair and bones. It has also been shown to help assist in a healthy weight loss plan.

As you can see kale has really earnt its reputation as the ultimate superfood.

The best way to consume kale is raw as cooking diminishes the nutrients but a word of warning although highly nutritious kale contains a substance called goitrin which can affect the thyroid function if consumed in large quantities so if you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition it is best not to consume kale unless cooked but in most cases it will not cause any harm and with kale being such a nutrient dense food a small amount added to your diet is all that is needed so a small amount added to a salad or a smoothie is highly unlikely to affect your thyroid health.

IMMUNE BOOST KALE AND BANANA SMOOTHIE

2 cups of kale stems removed
2 cups of water
2 cups of chopped pineapple (frozen is best)
1 banana (frozen optional)
Juice of ½ lime
2 tablespoon chia seeds

BLEND KALE AND WATER ADD THE REST AND BLEND AGAIN DRINK ENJOY.

07/03/2021

Mandarin and ginger marmalade 🍊
because sometimes life gives you mandarins 😂😂

or in my case both me and my husband decided to buy a bag and still had a full bag in thd fridge so with an abundance of fruit I did my favourite thing I got jamming. 😁🧡💛

Or marmalading. Iv never made marmalade before but I can honestly say I will be again its awesome. 😋

Recepit
2 packs of mandarins boiled in water with a hand full of grated ginger and the juice of 1 lemon
boil for 45 mins.

remove mandarins and let cool then chop up as small or chunky as you want and add back to water.

weigh for every 600g of mixture add 350g of sugar dissolve on a modarate heat whe sugar is fully dissolved bring to the boil and boil for 30 mins or until liquid sets when small amount dripped onto a cold plate.

pour into oven steralized jars.

And don't eat it all at once 😂🍊🧡💛

02/03/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen
23 Horseradish
Horseradish is a perennial with a deep tap root that produces a four petaled white flower and it originates from eastern Europe. It is from the Brassicaceae family making it a close relative to wasabi, cabbage, mustard and broccoli. The part use is the white root which is known for its spicy powerful flavor which is popular in a sauce made to accompany roast beef or steak.

Horseradish is now undervalued as a medical herb, but it has many healing properties it contains vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, folate, sodium, potassium and zinc it also contains an organic chemical composition of enzymes and oils like sinigrin a powerful glycosylate which work to provide a powerful health benefits.

Horseradish is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and is great as an immune boost as it can stimulates the activity and production of white blood cells.

Horseradish is believed to aid in weight loss and it improves digestion by stimulating the release of bile from the gallbladder, it is high in calcium making it a good supplement for bone health skin and hair, it is a strong diuretic, it has strong antibacterial properties and is very effective in the use of improving respiratory conditions, colds and flu viruses.

It is believed that a sniff or inhaling pure horseradish can clear congestion.

SIMPLE HOMEMADE HORSERADISH SAUCE

125ml Double cream
3tbsp freshly grated horseradish
1tbsp vinegar

1 whip cream until it holds a soft peak then stir in horseradish and vinegar.
2 season to taste with salt and pepper (some people also add a pinch of sugar)

This will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge

25/02/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen
22 Globe Artichoke
I have to admit this is a new thing for me and I have never actually tried one, but we recently took over a wonderful allotment and one of the already established plants on it as well as fruit trees and bushes is a wonderful globe artichoke plant.

The first thing I have learnt is that it is a perennial and when looked after it will come back year after year but what is it good for?

First of all they are packed with nutrients, they are low in fat while rich in fiber and contain vitamins A, B6, C, E and K, folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium and zinc also Phyto-nutrients carotena-a, crypto-xanthin and lutein-zeaxanthin.

Globe artichokes are in fact from the thistle family and a very close relative to the milk thistle with many of the same benefits especially when it comes to maintain a healthy liver and are known for helping to counteract a fatty liver making them a great food to eat after overindulgence of alcohol.

Globe artichokes are a probiotic making them a great food for fermenting as they contain inulin a prebiotic fiber that stimulates the growth of friendly probiotic bacteria in the bowel.

They can assist in overcoming constipation; they improve digestion by stimulating bile production and can assist in symptoms of IBS making them a great all-round food to eat for gut health.

They are also a strong antioxidant, they can assist in weight loss and they also controls glucose levels.

HOW TO PREPARE A GLOBE ARTICHOKE
Set up a large steamer with a couple of inches of water and add a crushed clove of garlic, some slices of lemon and a bay leaf (to add extra flavour to the artichoke).
Using a pair of scissors, cut off the tips of the globe artichoke petals to remove the sharp points.
Then, slice off the top of the artichoke.
Cut off the stem just below the globe.
Rinse the artichokes in cold water, opening up the petals to rinse inside.
When the steamer is boiling, add the artichokes and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25 to 45 minutes until the outer leaves are easy to pull off – the timing will depend on the size of the globe. Tip: When steaming artichokes, add a crushed clove of garlic, some slices of lemon and a bay leaf to the water to add extra flavour to the artichoke.
You can eat artichokes hot or cold. Simply peel off each petal, one at a time, and dip the white, fleshy end into melted garlic butter, aioli, or mayonnaise mixed with a little balsamic vinegar.
Holding the petal tightly, place the dipped end in your mouth and pull the flesh end through your teeth to remove the delicious, soft pulp. Discard the remaining fibrous petal.

24/02/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen

16 Ginger
Wow the letter G has been kind to us yesterday we looked at garlic and now ginger two of the greatest in medical plants and also found and used in most kitchen stores, In my opinion if these are the only two you ever use you couldn’t go wrong so let’s look at ginger.

Ginger has been used in Asia since the earliest of times and is considered to be one of the best know medical herbs.

It has been cultivated in the west for over 2000 years but is extensively grown in the west indies due to the perfect climate and conditions for growing as it takes 10 months for the root to mature after planting, It is the root that is the usable part of the plant although it does produce a pretty usually pink or red flower. The root is referred to the rhizome.

Ginger is highly nutritious containing vitamins A, C, E, and K, folate, niacin, pyridoxine, sodium, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc.

Ginger also contain gingerol which has powerful medical properties and is what gives ginger its unique fragrance and flavor it helps with digestion reduces nausea and helps fight colds and flu, gingerol is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and is great at fighting oxidative stress.

Ginger is used for nausea, morning sickness and can also be used as a weight loss aid, ginger has been shown to relive pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis, it can reduce blood sugars and lower the risk of heart disease, it can help with chronic indigestion and significantly reduce menstrual pain, Ginger has been show to lower cholesterol and it is also great at fighting infections, it can improve brain function and is being studied as a way to help people with Alzheimer’s disease, it is an anti-spasmodic and can help increase appetite, it can also healp with circulation.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few as this plant is truly amazing and good for so many things.

Ginger also makes a great and effective essential oil which is known for its warming, calming and uplifting aroma. The oil can be use to help combat general fatigue and nervous fatigue it can combat mental confusion and relive headaches and migraines, it can help relive nausea both in morning sickness and over indulgence.
Its warming pain killer effect makes a great massage oil for muscle aches and pains and circulation.

HEALING GINGER ROOT AND GARLIC SALAD DRESSING

1/3 cup of ACV
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove crushed
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
¼ teaspoon black crushed pepper corns
Pinch of salt (optional to taste)
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

Blend all ingredients except olive oil the slowly add oil while blending until fully mixed, chill until serving.

23/02/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen
15 Garlic
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food!!!!
This is the famous quote from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates also known as the father of western medicine and it is believed when he said this he was talking about garlic, which he used to prescribe for a variety of medical conditions.

Modern science has confirmed many of these benefits.

Known for its pungent odor and taste garlic is one of the safest and most effective medical foods and is a powerful treatment for a host of health problems including those of the nose, throat and chest.

Garlic is highly nutritious and has very few calories it is high in manganese, vitamins B1, B6, and C selenium, calcium. Copper, potassium and iron.

Garlic can reduce cholesterol; help circulatory disorders such as high blood pressure and it can lower blood sugar making it a useful dietary addition to late onset diabetes. It is a strong antioxidant that may prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as it is great at reducing oxidative stress.

Garlic is believed to improve athletic performance and was given to the early Olympics athletes in ancient Greece.

It is great a detoxifying the body by removing heavy metals in the body and it can improve bone health.

But what makes Garlic so famous is that it is a strong natural antibiotic and its ability to boost the function of the immune system making it a great supplement for colds flu and chest infection as well as bacterial infections and viral infections.
Garlic is also incredibly safe for the whole family both young and old.

GARLIC REMEDIES FOR CLODS AND FLU

The two ways I use garlic medically (other than cooking)

1 Garlic on your feet

Yes, this is one of the fastest and effective ways to use a garlic remedy.
Crush a few garlic cloves into a small jar and cover with olive oil and leave for about half an hour, then before bed rub the oil on the bottom of your feet (this method can also be used on small children and infants) then put on a pair of socks or two pairs as it does stink a bit.
Then go to bed in the morning you will have garlic breath the garlic will travel up your body detoxing you and especially clearing out your lungs during the night while you sleep. I have used this method on my daughter since she was a baby and it is very effective and safe.
This method is great for bad choughs, chest infections and chest colds.

2 Garlic vinegar

Infuse garlic in ACV (apple cider vinegar)
This is a great way to get the raw qualities of garlic you can use as a salad dressing or by the spoonful when you feel ill or if you feel like you coming down with something.

22/02/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen
19 Flax
Flax the plant know for its use to make linen.

Flax seed or linseed has been cultivated in the middle east for at least 5000 years and its seed and fiber has been used for innumerable uses in both medical and industrial industries.

Flax seed has been shown to have very high level of essential fatty acids making it valuable in maintaining a healthy heart and circulation and in preventing inflammation.

Flax seed are also loaded with nutrients including vitamins B1, B6, folate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium and not or getting the omega 3 fatty acids ant they are also rich in dietary fiber making it one of the best non meat providers of omega 3 fatty acids and a high source of protein making it a great edition to a healthy vegetarian diet.

Flax seeds are a rich source of lignans which may reduce the risk of cancer, lignans are a plant compound that has antioxidant and estrogen properties both of which lower the risk of cancer.

Flax seed can improve cholesterol and lower blood pressure, it is also a geed appetite suppressor so it may help weight loss and weight control. It is a very versatile ingredient and can be added to many receipts .

You should always consume ground or milled seeds rather than the whole seed and it also comes in an extracted oil form.

FRUIT,SEED AND FLAX FLAPJACKS

150ml honey
250g rolled oats (preferably organic and gluten free)
160g butter salted
60g milled flax seed
40g pumpkin seeds
40g sesame seeds
40g raisins
20g dried goji berries

Preheat the oven 180c/350f/gas mark 4
Before you start warm the honey in the jar in hot water to make it more liquid.
Melt the butter and add the dry ingredients to the warm melted butter and stir in then add the honey and stir until well mixed.
Roll the mix into a baking tray/flapjack tin about 2.5cm thick.
Bake for 24 mins cool before cutting.

16/02/2021

Well it's half term and as we're having a week off of school learning I'm also having a week off of my daily posts. 😴😜

So I've taken the free time and started the big plan for the years growing on our new allotment. 🥕🥬🥒🍆🌽🥦💚💙❤️

seed sorting and the first seeds have gone In.

I can finally see an end to this long winter in sight.👀❄️🥶

Also started the chitting potatoes 🥔🥰

I can't wait to see all my little baby seeds coming up.👩‍🌾

have you started yours yet?
what are you growing?

my first lot are peppers all kinds hot and sweet, lettuce, parsley, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, celeriac and nasturtiums ❤️😍💚💙💜

12/02/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen
18 Fennel
This beautiful and fragrant herb is by far one of my favorites. I’m lucky enough to live on the coast and this lovely herb grows in abundance all along the shoreline which makes it great for foraging but this herb in recent years has made a comeback in our
supermarkets.

This plant is one of the main components of the alcohol absinth although the plant itself does not provide the hallucinogenic properties it does provide the distinct flavor.

Due to its distinct flavor fennel is used widely around the world in mouth fresheners, toothpaste, deserts, antacids and various culinary applications,

You can use most of the plant from the seeds to the bulb and the root.

Fennel is packed full of vitamins and nutrients it contains vitamins A, B6, C, and K and calcium, phosphorous, sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, niacin and potassium and is a great source of dietary fiber it is so high of vitamin C that just one cup of fennel bulb contains 20% of your daily allowance.

Fennels wide range of benefits and treatments are it can prevent anemia, relive indigestion, reduce flatulence, treat constipation, reduce heart diseases, has anti-cancer potential, regulates blood pressure, improves brain function, effective diarrhea remedy, elevates colic, boosts immunity, regulates periods, protects eyes from inflammation and can improve eyesight, treats respatory disorders, removes toxins, increases milk production in nursing mothers and is a great diuretic and can aid in weight loss.

Fennel is another herb that makes a wonderful and strong essential oil which is known as the unblocking essential oil where it works for both body and mind, it is both cooling and cleansing, it can both ease constipation and give you courage to help express usually held in emotions.
Used in massage it is a great detoxifier and can help block pores and reduce stubborn cellulite, when massaged into the stomach region it can relive flatulence, bloating and digestive cramps.
It can also be used as a mouth wash.
Fennel is a very strong oil and used sparingly and never around children under the age of 7.

Marinated fennel and courgette salad with basil

• 1 large fennel bulb
• 6 baby courgettes or 3 big ones
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 50ml extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt flakes
• Basil leaves
Directions

1. Slice the fennel bulb as finely as you can (set the fronds aside), and spread out in a wide, non-metal dish.
2. Very finely slice courgettes (set any flowers aside and leave them whole or slice in half carefully if they’re big), then put them in the dish with the fennel.
3. Squeeze over the juice of both lemons and drizzle over 50ml extra-virgin olive oil. Season with sea salt flakes, then gently toss everything together and leave to marinate for 30-60 minutes.
4. To serve, transfer the veg to a serving platter (leaving any excess marinade behind), add the courgette flowers, a handful of basil leaves and the fennel fronds (or a few dill sprigs), then drizzle with a little more olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

10/02/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen
17 Figs
This beautiful fragrant purple or green tear shaped fruit is very unique and packed with nutrition.

Figs contain vitamins B6 and K iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin and thiamine and are high in glucose and dietary fiber.

Figs are a gentle laxative and promote digestion, they have some pain reliving properties and are good for inflammation, lowering fat and cell protection they can also be used to treat tumors, swelling and gum abscesses.

Figs are a great immune boost and are an expectorant which can help with dry irritable choughs and bronchitis.

They are thought to help improve vascular heart health by improving blood pressure and blood fat levels, They are a strong antioxidant and have been shown in studies to be beneficial in promoting healthy skin and hair and when eaten and use in skincare products and they help dry itchy skin and eczema.

The milky latex from the leaves is used to treat warts, insect bites and stings.

Syrup of figs

• 1 bag (8 ounces) of fresh figs coarsely chopped
• 1 cup brown sugar (raw if you can) sugar
• 1 cup filtered water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions:
1. Combine figs, sugar, water and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes or until figs are softened. Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 20 minutes.
2. Strain liquid through a fine mesh seize. Reserve softened figs for another use. You should have about 1 cup of liquid.
3. Return strained liquid to saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until syrup is thickened and reduced by about a third (it will continue to thicken as it cools). This should take about 15 minutes, slightly less if you are using a wider saucepan (more surface area=more evaporation=quicker reduction time). After reducing you should have about 2/3 cup.
4. Transfer to a jar or other container and let cool slightly, then cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to use. Syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks

09/02/2021

Daily kitchen healing
A-Z Of herbs spices and healing foods easily found in your kitchen

16. Elder-Flower/Berry
The elder tree provides is with two seasons of potential high-powered remedies which has earnt it a reputation of a great healing plant often referred to as the complete medical chest

This common woodland tree found throughout Europe, north Africa and southwest Asia provides us with both a beneficial flower and a berry.
The flowers are more Widley used for their delicate flavour in cordials and juices but can also be great in beaty products.

Elderflower is a strong anti-inflammatory, expectorant, circulatory stimulant, diuretic and a promoter of sweating which helps aid in a fast recovery of viruses, colds, seasonal flu and sinus infections.
Elderflower can help alleviate allergies and boost the functioning of the immune system it can also help reduce pain and swelling caused by arthritis, it can be used as an antiseptic and can make a great alternative to chemical mouthwash and gargle.

Elderflower is rich in bioflavonoids mostly flavones and flavonoids that commonly known for their antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties the most abundant are quercetin, isoquercitrin and anthocycinins which all have antiviral properties.

The berry can in fact be toxic if eaten raw but is highley benefical once cooked and in fact the small amount of heat from a dehydrator is enough to make the berry safe to eat.

Elderberries are high in vitamin A, B, and C also potassium, iron, copper and phosphorous and dietary fibre and like the flower have many of the same properties but much stronger and as they are a berry, they are much more versatile and can be used in jams, wine, juices and many other things.

Both the berry and the flower are fantastic additions to your kitchen store and are Widley available if you’re not shy of a quick foraging trip, To store you can pick the flowers and dry them out or tincture for creams and lotions and the berries freeze well and make a great syrup to store as a quick go to for seasonal colds and flu, my particular favourite is to add them to my homemade fruit leather to give that extra vitamin and immune boost to the children as the autumn draws in.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe
A simple elderberry syrup recipe made with dried elderberries, honey and herbs for an immune boosting and delicious syrup. Can be used medicinally or on homemade pancakes or waffles.
Ingredients
• 3½ cups water
• 2/3 cup dried elderberries (or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen)
• 2 TBSP ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
• Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
• Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.
• Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
• Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
• Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
• When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
• When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a mason jar or 16-ounce glass bottle of some kind.
• Ta-da! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties. Some sources recommend taking only during the week and not on the weekends to boost immunity.
Notes
Instant Pot option: Put all ingredients except honey in pot, seal lid, and set manually for 9 minutes on high pressure. Vent pressure and strain. When cooled to room temperature, stir in the honey. Standard dose is ½ - 1 teaspoon for kids and ½ - 1 tablespoon for adults. If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.