Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your doctor or naturopath before trying any home remedy. This remedy is not appropriate for kids under 1 year of age.
I first wrote about elderberry syrup in January of 2013. I was introduced to elderberry syrup by fellow green blogger and nurse, Alicia of The Soft Landing as a way to keep my family healthy during flu season.
Elderberry syrup helps keep you healthy because it is full of good-for-you stuff like bioflavanoids, antioxidants, vitamin C, beta carotine, calcium (the list goes on!). The bioflavanoids help prevent cold and flu viruses from infecting cells to keep you from getting sick in the first place. A study done in Norway concluded that people who took elderberry syrup during illness reported less severe symptoms and a shorter duration of illness than those who didn't.
While you can buy ready-made elderberry syrup (like this Organic Elderberry Syrup from Nature's Way
), making your own is really easy and costs a lot less per ounce than buying pre-bottled stuff.
The original recipe I used (Alicia's) isn't bad - but the flavor is potent. While my son and husband loved it, honestly, I had to pour mine into a little cup and take it like a shot so i could get it over with. I was not a huge fan of the flavor. My new recipe will still do a good job protecting you from the winter ick but this one has a sweeter, milder flavor.
I first wrote about elderberry syrup in January of 2013. I was introduced to elderberry syrup by fellow green blogger and nurse, Alicia of The Soft Landing as a way to keep my family healthy during flu season.
Elderberry syrup helps keep you healthy because it is full of good-for-you stuff like bioflavanoids, antioxidants, vitamin C, beta carotine, calcium (the list goes on!). The bioflavanoids help prevent cold and flu viruses from infecting cells to keep you from getting sick in the first place. A study done in Norway concluded that people who took elderberry syrup during illness reported less severe symptoms and a shorter duration of illness than those who didn't.
While you can buy ready-made elderberry syrup (like this Organic Elderberry Syrup from Nature's Way
), making your own is really easy and costs a lot less per ounce than buying pre-bottled stuff.The original recipe I used (Alicia's) isn't bad - but the flavor is potent. While my son and husband loved it, honestly, I had to pour mine into a little cup and take it like a shot so i could get it over with. I was not a huge fan of the flavor. My new recipe will still do a good job protecting you from the winter ick but this one has a sweeter, milder flavor.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup dry elderberries (you can get organic
or conventional
elderberries online if your local natural foods store doesn't carry them)
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 2 inch piece fresh ginger, roughly chopped
- 1 large or two small cinnamon sticks
- 10 whole clove buds
- 1 cup raw honey (local honey is best if available)
Directions
- Place all ingrediets except honey in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours or until reduced by about half.
- Pour through a wire mesh sieve into a glass bowl. Press down on contents in sieve to press out any additional elderberry extract.
- Allow to cool approximately 30 minutes, then stir in honey using a non-plastic spoon or whisk until completely dissolved.
- Pour into a bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Standard dosage for prevention: Kids*: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon daily // Adults: 1/2 to 1 tablespoon daily.
*Please note that because this contains honey, this should not be given to infants under 1 year old.
Standard dosage if sick: Take the normal dosage (above) every 2 to 3 hours until symptoms disappear.
*Please note that because this contains honey, this should not be given to infants under 1 year old.
Standard dosage if sick: Take the normal dosage (above) every 2 to 3 hours until symptoms disappear.
Elderberry Syrup
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 2 H & 20 Minactive time: 30 MinTotal time: 2 H & 55 M
Elderberry syrup helps keep you healthy because it is full of good-for-you stuff like bioflavanoids, antioxidants, vitamin C, beta carotine, calcium (the list goes on!). The bioflavanoids help prevent cold and flu viruses from infecting cells to keep you from getting sick in the first place.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup dry elderberries
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 2 inch piece fresh ginger, roughly chopped
- 1 large or two small cinnamon sticks
- 10 whole clove buds
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Place all ingrediets except honey in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours or until reduced by about half.
- Pour through a wire mesh sieve into a glass bowl. Press down on contents in sieve to press out any additional elderberry extract.
- Allow to cool approximately 30 minutes, then stir in honey using a non-plastic spoon or whisk until completely dissolved.
- Pour into a bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Notes:
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your doctor or naturopath before trying any home remedy. This remedy is not appropriate for kids under 1 year of age.
Standard dosage for prevention: Kids*: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon daily // Adults: 1/2 to 1 tablespoon daily.
Standard dosage if sick: Take the normal dosage (above) every 2 to 3 hours until symptoms disappear.
About the Author:
Carissa B is a cookbook author and busy mom of two creative boys. The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she has won multiple awards for her work on Creative Green Living including the "Best Green Lifestyle Blogger" award in 2019 from ShiftCon.
She is the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls, as well as the backyard chicken keeping guide: Proven Techniques for Keeping Healthy Chickens. Her recipes have been featured in Urban Farm Magazine and in several cookbooks where she was a contributing author. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living Tribe on Facebook.
She is the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls, as well as the backyard chicken keeping guide: Proven Techniques for Keeping Healthy Chickens. Her recipes have been featured in Urban Farm Magazine and in several cookbooks where she was a contributing author. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living Tribe on Facebook.
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Thank you. This looks like a good syrup. My bro puts the berries in vodka n just leases them in there forever. I like the use of the other herbs with the berries.
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