Elderberry Cough Syrup

I got this recipe from my friend Bethan in Wales. She's a vegetarian and always attends these wonderful meetings that involve very health conscious people. She often shares things with me and I was delighted when she sent me this little brochure with 3 very interesting Herbal Recipes that were put out by the West Wales Herb Group. I thought I'd share them with everyone on Recipezaar. I haven't made any of these as of yet, but if I do, I'll use agave nectar in it instead of sugar.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 2  cups  filtered water
• 4  ounces  fresh elderberries (or 2 oz. dried)
• 1  cinnamon stick
• 1  teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar

Directions

1. Simmer the three above ingredients in 1 pint (2 cups of water) for 20 minutes.
2. Let stand for 1/2 hour.
3. Strain through a sieve pressing well.
4. Then, add enough water to the simmered ingredients to bring the volume back up to 1 pint of liquid.
5. Add the sugar and gently heat to dissolve the sugar in the hot liquid.
6. Allow to cool and then pour into dark bottles and keep somewhere cool.
7. Dosage: 2 teaspoons in a little water 3 times a day.