Elderberry Syrup

We generally buy elderberry syrup and use it as extra immune support during cold and flu season. This year, I am attempting to make it as it seems relatively simple. I'm combining two recipes to make my syrup - from a Wellness Mama blog post and from a guide called Herbal Nurturing. 

There is also an Atlanta area mom who makes and sells hers, if you want *homemade* but you don't want to make it yourself. 

https://www.facebook.com/Be-Welderberry-1523441417972037/

Elderberry syrup use is one of the alternative medicine strategies that has been shown in numerous studies to be effective. I'm taking these quotes and links off of a Facebook page of a friend of mine, as we both share the value of science and alternative therapies. 

"Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. " https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016

"In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, Sambucol reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3-4 days." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518

"For the first time, it was shown that a standardized elderberry liquid extract possesses antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria of Streptococcus pyogenes and group C and G Streptococci, and the Gram-negative bacterium Branhamella catarrhalis in liquid cultures. The liquid extract also displays an inhibitory effect on the propagation of human pathogenic influenza viruses."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056848/

"These data suggest a significant reduction of cold duration and severity in air travelers." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/

What are your go-to strategies for immune support during this time of year? Have you tried elderberry syrup?