Herbs are one of my go-to remedies for the colder months. Both are immune boosting and delicious in a variety of recipes. I do DIY. Elderberry marshmallowsEven tea and kombucha. This easy elderberry syrup recipe is a great way to get all of their benefits!
Dried berries Sambucus nigra Plant They contain antioxidants that naturally help with colds and flu. You can use them in a variety of remedies, and my favorite is this simple elderberry syrup.
Elderberry: A Natural Remedy for Colds and Flu?
There is definitely a time and place for conventional medicine and doctor visits. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a common cure for the common cold or even a mild case of the flu.
If you or your child have ever had a bad case of the common cold or flu, you know how miserable it can be. Especially for mothers. It’s so embarrassing to see your kids feel so bad and unable to fix it. Fortunately, nature provides us with solutions that can help. And shorten the duration if we find them.
Studies show Black elders (Sambucus nigra) helps us to avoid these diseases. For those who already have it, they can help speed up recovery time. I have also found that the elderly provide some relief from discomfort during minor ailments.
Elderberry benefits
Elderberries are naturally rich in vitamins A, B and C and boost the immune system. Israeli researchers have found that elders pack a punch when it comes to colds and flu. Their complex sugars are clinically shown to support the immune system. It can cut recovery time in half or better!
Dr. Madeleine Mumkuglu, of Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel, found that elderberry disarms the enzyme viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the nose and throat. Taken before the disease, it prevents infection. Taken after the disease, it prevents the virus from spreading in the respiratory system. In a clinical trial, 20% of study subjects showed significant improvement within 24 hours, 70% within 48 hours, and 90% were completely cured within three days. In contrast, those who received a placebo needed 6 days to recover.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe with Honey
Elderberry syrup provides the benefits of black elderberry that support a strong immune system. It also tastes great! My recipe uses homemade adloberry concentrate along with similar herbs like cinnamon and ginger. Raw honey for an extra immune boost. If you can’t/don’t use honey, see the substitution suggestions below the recipe.
- Start by mixing the ingredients. I use ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, elderberry and raw honey. Cinnamon sticks and whole teeth also work.
- Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the strawberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil, then uncover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm. Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil
- Pour through a strainer or cheesecloth into a glass jar or bowl. Get rid of the elders.
- When the liquid is not hot, add the cup of honey and stir well.
- When the honey is well mixed into the elder mixture, pour the syrup into a mason or glass bottle.
Why Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup?
For one, you save a lot of money!
You can buy natural elderberry syrup at health food stores or online. But usually for $15 or more for 4-8 oz. This recipe makes less than 16 ounces and kids will love the taste! You can also completely customize this recipe based on your needs and taste preferences.
Don’t you have any dried elderberries on hand? There are great pre-made ones. Elderberry gummies And Elderberry syrup That works just as well. But these additions cost more. Also, if you have fresh berries or frozen elderberries, use double the amount in the recipe.
Making your own elderberry syrup is easy with this recipe!
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
A simple elderberry syrup recipe made with dried elderberries, honey and herbs to boost immunity and make a sweet syrup. It can be used medicinally or on homemade pancakes or waffles.
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Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the strawberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.
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Bring to a boil, then uncover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half.
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Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm.
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Carefully mash the berries using a spoon or other flat utensil.
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Pour through a strainer or cheesecloth into a glass jar or bowl. Get rid of the elders.
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When the liquid is not hot, add the cup of honey and stir well.
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When the honey is well mixed into the elder mixture, pour the syrup into a mason or glass bottle.
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Ta-da! You’ve just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for immune-boosting properties.
Nutrition facts
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Per serving (1 teaspoon)
Calories 14
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.01 g0%
Saturated fat 0.001 g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.004 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.001 g
Sodium 1 mg0%
Potassium 7 mg0%
Carbohydrates 4 g1%
Fiber 0.1 g0%
Sugar 3 g3%
Protein 0.03 g0%
Vitamin A 7IU0%
Vitamin C 0.5 mg1%
Calcium 1 mg0%
Metal 0.04 mg0%
* Percent daily values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
A normal dose is ½ – 1 teaspoon for children and ½ – 1 tablespoon for adults. If you have a cold, take the usual dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until the symptoms subside.
More visual person?
Here’s my one-minute tutorial video on how to make elderberry syrup:
What does Elderberry Syrup look like/taste like?
I find elderberry on its own to be a little sour, like grape juice. Honey turns it into a sweet and savory syrup. This one is thinner than some store-bought versions or syrups made with sugar. So don’t be surprised if your strawberry syrup looks runny!
What is the difference between Elderberry Syrup and Elderberry Juice?
This recipe makes a strong elderflower tea or concentrate mixed with honey. Traditional herbal remedies are usually made from herbal tea and sugar into a thick, syrupy form. This version is thin because it is made with raw honey. Elderberry juice, however, is simply the juice squeezed from freshly aged grapes.
How Long Does Homemade Elderberry Syrup Last?
The short answer really depends. I have found that placing the finished syrup in a mason jar while warm creates an airtight seal. This allows it to last longer in the refrigerator, up to several months. As a general rule, it will last about two weeks in the refrigerator. I typically freeze anything I don’t use during that time. You can also freeze some in an ice cube tray and freeze in small batches when needed.
Fresh Elderberry Syrup Recipe
You can collect hot elders and even Grow your own corn bush. But it is important to make sure you are growing the right plant. I recommend working with a local herbalist to find/collect fresh elderberries. Make sure you collect only the berries. The stem and leaves are poisonous.
Where is the best place to order elderberries?
We don’t have a local source, so I always order in bulk from an online source. (Order in advance because it always comes fall!) They can be made wild or Organic elders here. If you want to buy a Full collectionOur friend at Kombucha Camp is great for sale.
What is Elderberry Syrup used for?
Our family uses 1/2 to 1 teaspoon a day as a preventative during peak cold and flu season. If you get a little pain, we double or triple the dose until you feel better. Elderberry is traditionally used for immune support and can be used year-round as needed for its health benefits.
The unique and complex flavor of elderberry makes this syrup a great ingredient in certain recipes. I made an elder strawberry Panna cotta Substituting elderberry syrup for sweetness. It also makes a top for visiting Homemade ice cream Or Pancakes.
How Much Elderberry Syrup Should You Take Every Day?
This is really a question for an herbalist or natural health care provider. Personally, as an adult, I take 1 teaspoon per day and give half of this to my children. In times of pain, I double or triple this amount.
Elderberry Syrup ingredients and substitutes
I prefer to use raw and local honey when possible, but raw honey from the store will work too. I also use fresh ginger here, but if you have that, you can use powdered (reduce the amount to just 1/2 tsp). And cinnamon sticks and whole cloves can be substituted for powdered herbs.
If you want to use powdered elderflower, use 1/2 cup instead of 2/3 cup in the recipe. I have used them before when full elders were not available.
Is there a substitute for honey in Elderberry Syrup?
Some people prefer not to use sweetener. Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year of age. Some simple substitutes are:
- Use it Maple syrup Or Nutrient-rich molasses Instead of honey.
- Omit the sweetener completely (this makes for a very quick-to-eat cranberry juice).
- Prepare elder tincture for adults. For a sweeter alternative, mix concentrated elderberry syrup with an equal amount of food-grade alcohol such as vodka or brandy. This is obviously not for kids, but for adults, a dessert-free elderberry extract is an option.
Can I reuse Elderberries?
I do not recommend using them again. Ideally, the fermentation/mashing process removes many nutrients from the berries. There is also evidence that consuming large amounts of whole berries can cause problems.
I have more elderberry recipes on the blog, including Elderberry kombucha And Elderberry tea. You can even use syrup to prepare it. Elderberry gummies!
This article has been medically reviewed Dr. Scott Soreris, M.DFamily physician and medical director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk to your doctor.
Have you taken Elderberry? Will you try this recipe? What natural ways do you use to prevent disease?
