After my toddlers suffered from a terrible bout of the flu one year, without a doubt, I knew I needed to pull together a homemade Elderberry Syrup recipe!
I had been hearing a LOT of, dare I say “wonders,” about the benefits of Elderberry Syrup. As a mom, I would give just about anything for our family to avoid the flu again!
Because, let’s be honest, no matter if you or your kids are sick, it’s never convenient! It’s always costly, and it throws basically everything – your plans, schedule, and goals – out of whack.
What are Elderberries?
Elderberries have been used for HUNDREDS of years for medicinal purposes. Elderberries are the fruit from the Sambucus nigra plant. They contain antioxidants (specifically anthocyanidins), antivirals, and nourishing vitamins such as Vitamin A, Fiber, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Vitamin C, and Folate!
Elderberries along with the branches, twigs, and leaves need to be cooked before they are consumed. If eaten raw, side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or more serious complications.
What are the benefits of Elderberry Syrup?
Elderberry Syrup is shown to alleviate:
- Cold and flu
- Respiratory infections
- Signs of aging
- Acne
- Allergies
- Joint and muscle pain
- Inflammation
- Fever
- Constipation
- Kidney problems
- Fluid retention
- Stress
Is Elderberry Syrup proven to be effective?
Elderberry Syrup has been shown to shorten the duration of influenza by 4 days compared to those who did not take Elderberry Syrup per this study.
In another study, taking Elderberry Syrup was shown to shorten the duration of cold symptoms and reduce the severity of symptoms experienced when compared to those who did not take Elderberry Syrup.
In summary, studies have shown Elderberry Syrup to be effective. But on the whole, the FDA acknowledges that more research needs to be completed.
Is Elderberry Syrup safe for kids?
Elderberry Syrup is safe for adults and children over the age of 1. However, it is not advised that children under 12 months take Elderberry Syrup. This is due to the use of honey in the syrup which can potentially cause Botulism. Elderberry Syrup can be made with an alternative sweetener such as maple syrup. Undoubtedly, consult with your pediatrician first.
How do you take Elderberry Syrup?
The suggested dose for Elderberry Syrup for immune-boosting and prevention is:
Children: ½-1 teaspoon per day
Adults: 1 tablespoon per day
If you become sick, continue taking the recommended dose but increase the frequency from once per day to every 2-3 hours.
What does Elderberry Syrup taste like?
The taste of Elderberry Syrup will vary widely! Taste varies based on the type of sweetener, how much sweetener is used, and any additional ingredients in the mixture. Our homemade Elderberry Syrup recipe tastes like a lightly sweetened spiced berry cider in my opinion!
Why make Elderberry Syrup at home?
It is very cost-effective to make your own syrup! Purchasing from a store will cost you about 4x MORE than what it would cost to make it yourself. Not only that, it’s easy peasy, and it makes your house smell nice when it’s cooking. And I’ve heard from a lot of parents that the store-bought varieties do not always appeal to kids’ tastebuds.
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What do I need to make Elderberry Syrup?
- Fresh or Dried Elderberries
- Local Raw Honey
- Spices (optional)
- A pot to boil
- Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth
- Measuring Cups
- Storage Jar
My favorite place to purchase elderberries is from Frontier Co-op! You can purchase Frontier’s elderberries easily on Amazon or directly on their website. I’ve also been happy with Sunburst Foods. Lastly, don’t forget to check your local health stores to see if they carry it as well.
Why do you add extras into the syrup?
I add extra spices and herbs for taste and additional nutrients! For example, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. And I add dried rosehips for an extra punch of Vitamin C! I add local raw honey to sweeten, preserve, and PACK the syrup with extra nutritional goodness.
How long does Elderberry Syrup last?
If you keep it refrigerated and tightly sealed, Elderberry Syrup should last up to 3 months.
Now that you know the answers to common questions about Elderberry Syrup, it’s time to get to the recipe!
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Equipment
- Boiling Pot
- Measuring Cups
- Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth
- Storage Jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup Dried Elderberries or 2 cups Fresh Elderberries
- 4 cups Water
- 1 tsp Cinnamon or 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 1 tsp Ginger or 1 tablespoon minced Fresh Ginger
- 1 tsp Cloves or 4 whole Cloves
- 1 tbsp dried Rosehips (optional)
- 1/2-1 cup Local Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup
Instructions
- Add elderberries, water, and all spices into a large pot.
- Set to medium heat and allow for it to boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for approx. 45 mins or until the mixture has reduced to half.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Once cooled to room temperature, use a mesh strainer or a cheesecloth to strain liquid from berries. Discard remaining pulp.
- Add honey to liquid and stir to combine (I usually use about ½ cup but you can use up to 1 cup if you prefer it sweeter).
- Pour into a storage jar, seal tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 months.
I hope this article has helped inform you about the benefits of Elderberry Syrup!
We have truly seen a difference in our family’s health since we began to incorporate it into our daily diet.
Let us know in the comments below your feedback and any questions you may have on our homemade Elderberry Syrup recipe!
Love this! Elderberry syrup is my go-to for kicking a cold. I just made an elderberry immune boosting cocktail, I used bottled elderberry syrup and I would love to try it with homemade.
Where it your source that eating raw elderberries can be harmful? I never heard of that. Ate them raw as a kid all the time. Curious.
Hi Karen!
The CDC has shared that eating raw elderberries can potentially be harmful. You can find the reference here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00000311.htm
Can you freeze elderberries and then make elderberry syrup at a later point with frozen berries?
Hey Larissa! Yes, you can freeze elderberries! But they should be used to make your Elderberry Syrup within 6-8 months of freezing.
I pick elderberries in the mountains close to our home and steam them. Would I use half the amount of juice an skip the boiling down to half?
Hey Judy! If possible, I would recommend doubling the amount of fresh elderberries (ie: for my recipe, you’d need to go with 2 cups of fresh elderberries). It doesn’t matter TOO much about the juice being reduced to half of the amount. The more it reduces, the thicker the juice becomes. But you don’t want to over-reduce it or it can start to form a congealed texture. So I recommend boiling the berries for 30-45 minutes so they’re safe to consume.
Hello! I am not a huge fan of honey. I know it’s crazy ! can I make without or do you suggest something else 🙂
Hey Joanne!
Thanks for stopping by! I’d suggest going with some organic maple syrup or some agave in your case if honey isn’t your thing!