This refreshing Summer drink is a diverse alternative to quench your thirst. Keep it in glass sterilized bottle in a fridge. Dilute to taste with water, soda water or lemonade. The muscat – flavored, grape – like, lemony syrup can also be used as a sweetener for water ices, ice creams or puddings.
Flower and berries of Elderflower, (Sambucus nigra or Sanucus canadenesis) have medicinal use. Flowers are diaphoretic, anticatarrhal , diuretic and anti-inflammatory . Berries are laxative, diuretic and anti-inflammatory. The medicinal use of flowers traditionally and today is for respiratory tract infections like cold, dry cough and sinusitis.
Elder has been considered sacred and magical in folklore and mythology. The flower essence is recommended for its ability to impact inner strength and to increase self-esteem.
Recipe for the cordial
2 unsprayed lemons
200g sugar or 100g xylitol
600ml water
6 large heads of elderflower
2tsp citric acid
Peel the lemons, cut then in half and squeeze and strain lemon juice. Put sugar and water in a pan and bring to boil. Add the clean, washed elderflowers and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the lemon rind and leave the syrup to infuse until cool. Strain the syrup, then dissolve citric acid in the lemon juice and ad to the syrup. Pour into a 1 liter bottle and store in the refrigerator. Dilute to taste.
by Danuta Hulajko
About the Author
Danuta Hulajko is a holistic practitioner, international speaker, founder of the DH Natural Medicine 
Clinic and www.healingremedies.com.au , Southern Highlands. She specialises in anti-aging, autoimmunity, digestive disorders and heavy metals chelation. For more information please go to our website. You can follow Danuta Hulajko work, events, seminars, expos, latest health research, her health tips and advice on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn