So I’ve mentioned ELDERBERRIES in the garden planning post last week, and you’re possibly wondering why.  Apparently they’re incredibly useful fruits to stave off viruses, and the syrup, or "rob"? made from them is sold commercially, and has been used for a Very Long Time.

From the SCA-Herbalist list:

they are an effective treatment against not only flu, but other viruses as well.
They were tested against 9 different types of flu and were effective against
each one. The way it works is that the virus has spikes growing out of it 
enabling it to cling to the cell walls. The elderberry binds and coats these
spikes preventing them from clinging to the cell walls, so that they get
flushed out of the system more easily. So, you may still get sick, but it won't 
be nearly as bad nor last as long. Since all viruses are spikey, the elderberry
should be effective against those as well.

Though I have not come accross and ancient recipe for this (rob - G), I have made
it. Elderberry is a marvelous plant! The blossoms are wonderful in a
tea, very soothing and fragrant. The berries themselves are extreemly
high in vitamin C, and as such would be benificial. I believe they also
have some benefit for coughs.  I simply made a juice of my berries (be
careful as it needs straining, and the seeds are a nightmare), then
added sugar/syrup and slowly cooked it down to a syrup. It seemed to
sooth my childrens coughs, plus giving them the added vitamins.

So obviously I need some elderberry plants, right?  The Der Vaes recommend elderberry syrup, too.