Elderberries are one of most used remedies for winter months. My favorite is a simple elderberry syrup.
Main season is about end of July onwards, right now I am collecting elberberries on sunny days far away from main roads.
Don't rush to pick the berries as soon as they turn black.
My favorite tool for processing large amounts of fruit relatively easily is a steam-juicer. Simple to use and indispensable if you want to make large quantities of juice concentrate.
Add some water to the bottom part of steam juicer. Put washed berries to the top one and add some sugar. Steam for about 30 minutes and enjoy the ready syrup. I put them straight away in jars and they don't need more pasteurization before being consumed.
Another way to make syrup is pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries.
Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point, remove from heat and let 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. Add some honey or sugar.
Elderberry syrup can last up to year if you pasteurize correctly .
Make sure you pour the liquid you wish to pasteurize into previously sterilized glass containers. Seal the containers with appropriate lids. Heat the water in pot with glass jars until it reach at least 89 degrees Celsius and then hold that temperature for 20 minutes before removing the jars. Keep it in dark cool place and enjoy every time you wish
Standard dose is ½ tsp to 1 tsp for kids and ½ Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults. If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.