Hello friends,

I'm back from Wales but woke up with a fever and sore throat, so I'm sorry to have to cancel tonight's 6:30PM class. It seems that these days, getting ill is the norm while traveling abroad, especially in the summer months. Luckily, I had some fresh elderberries in the freezer and made some elderberry syrup, which is a powerful anti-viral remedy.

Speaking of remedies, while in Wales, we visited the village of Myddfai, considered home to some of the earliest physicians, who were famous for their herbal remedies. It was there that we met up with local herbalist, Lara Bean. Lara walked us through the grounds around the Myddfai Visitior's Center and talked about all the different medicinal plants we came across. At one point we stopped by an elder tree and she mentioned that they used elderberry syrup during the pandemic. Always validating when another herbalist confirms the efficacy of a plant!

Here is my elderberry-rose hip syrup recipe, which is easy to make. (You can omit the rose hips if you don't have them --they are a great source of vitamin C):

Elderberry-Rose Hip Syrup (Makes 2-3 cups)
Ingredients:
1 cup dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra)
3 cups filtered water   
1/2 cup dried rose hips (Rosa sp.)
1 cup raw local honey (can substitute agave or rice syrup).

Directions:
   1.    Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan on medium heat.
    2.    Bring to a slight boil, then simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
    3.    Remove from heat and mash the berries with a large spoon. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer, pressing out the elderberries and rose hips and collecting the juice in a glass measuring cup or bowl as you strain.
   4.      Add the honey while the juice is still warm and stir to combine.
    5.    Label and store in a glass jar or bottle and keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. 1/8 cup of Brandy can be added to preserve it longer (6+ months).

In case of cold or flu, adults take 1 tablespoon every 4 hours. Children take 1 teaspoon every 4 hrs. As a preventative, 1 teaspoon daily for adults. 1/2 teaspoon daily for children.

Group classes will resume on Friday, unless otherwise noted. Stay well, friends!

With gratitude,

Diana