We don’t get sick often, and when we do, I prefer to let the body’s natural defense run its course. With that being said, I do make it a priority in our house to do whatever we can to fight off sickness, because even the common cold or fever can take Adi out for a few days. We always make it a priority to cook from scratch, exercise daily, and take our immune boosting supplements, because we know these things help a ton, but we also include elderberry syrup to help us fight off whatever may be brewing in the body!
Elderberry syrup has become a popular natural remedy for cold and flu season, but often times people buy it in capsule or liquid form online for a fortune compared to how much it costs to make it homemade. About 2 years ago, I decided to make my own elderberry syrup at home and we’ve never looked back. It’s easy, affordable and a simple way to help protect us during the cold and flu season.
What is Elderberry Syrup?
Elderberries come from a flowering plant that grows in subtropical regions around the world. Species are often cultivated for their beautiful leaves, flowers, and fruit. These plants grow well in nearly all soil types and pH levels, so they are perfect for any location where sunlight is available.
The fruit from this plant have been used for centuries in natural medicine. Native Americans used it to treat infections, while ancient Egyptians would use it to improve their complexions and heal burns. Today, elderberries are often used as a preventative medicine during cold and flu season. Because of the poisonous properties of the plant, berries should never be eaten raw. Beyond natural remedies, the berries can be cooked and used for jam, chutneys, pies, and even wine.
The most popular way to use elderberries for natural remedies is as a syrup. By simply cooking down the berries and adding a natural sweetener, the body is able to harness all the amazing qualities of this small and powerful berry.
Elderberry Syrup
This simple syrup recipe is easy to make and only has a few ingredients. Take it as a natural cold and flu remedy or drizzle it over homemade pancakes or dairy free ice cream.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups water
- 2/3 cup dried elderberries
- 2 Tbsp. fresh ginger or ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ – 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Pour the water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and ground cloves into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Cover and simmer the syrup for 45 minutes – 1 hour. It should reduce by almost half.
- Take off of heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Using a fork, potato masher, or the back of a spoon, mash the berries to release as much juice as possible.
- Using a strainer or cheesecloth, strain the syrup into a mason jar or glass bowl.
- Set aside and let it cool until it is warm. You don’t want it super-hot but you also want it warm enough for your honey to melt in it.
- Once warm, add in your desired amount of honey and stir until fully dissolved. Store in the fridge in a glass container.
Dosing:
½ – 1 tsp for children and ½ – 1 Tbsp. for adults. Some people are more sensitive to the berries so if you are getting a laxative effect from it, back down on your dose. If you notice the onset of sickness, you can dose it 4x/day until symptoms subside.
For best prevention, it’s important to not take this everyday but instead give the body 2-3 days without it. We often dose it Monday-Friday and then take off the weekend.
You and your kids will love this. I don’t have to force Adi to take this at all. She usually always wants more! Enjoy!
The information on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a medical concern or condition, please contact your healthcare professional.
