Homemade Elderberry Syrup: A Guide to Making and Using This Powerful Remedy
Homemade Elderberry Syrup: A Guide to Making and Using This Powerful Remedy
Late summer, when elderberries are ripe, is the perfect time to forage to create your own elderberry syrup. Not only does this syrup taste great, but it also offers significant medicinal benefits. This has long been a staple in my medicine chest.
Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries are well-known for their medicinal properties, making elderberry syrup one of the best natural remedies you can prepare at home. These berries are excellent for boosting the immune system and possess strong antiviral properties, making them especially useful for combating colds and the flu. Elderberry syrup is simple to make, delicious, and safe for the whole family
Ingredients for Elderberry Syrup
This basic elderberry syrup recipe requires only a few ingredients, and you can use either fresh or dried elderberries.
Where to Get Elderberries
You will need elderberries as the main ingredient. There are several ways to obtain elderberries:
Foraging: Look for wild elderberries during their peak season, typically between August and September, depending on your location.
Growing Your Own: Plant elderberry bushes in your garden.
Purchasing Dried Elderberries: If fresh elderberries aren't available, dried elderberries are a good alternative. However, they may sell out quickly during cold and flu season.
Choosing the Right Honey
For the best results, use raw honey, preferably sourced locally. Raw honey is rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and enzymes because it hasn't been heated. You can find raw local honey at natural food stores, farmers' markets, or from beekeepers. If you can't access local honey, high-quality organic raw honey is also an option.
Optional Ingredients for Enhanced Flavor and Benefits
While the basic elderberry syrup recipe is effective, you can add other ingredients for additional health benefits and flavor:
Ginger: Fresh or dried ginger adds flavor and supports the immune system.
Cinnamon Stick: Enhances taste and provides immune benefits.
Cardamom: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, cholesterol-lowering, and blood sugar–lowering effects.
Whole Cloves: Mainly for flavor, cloves also have some health advantages.
Echinacea Root: Offers an immune boost, although its taste may not be appealing.
Rose Hips: High in vitamin C, rose hips can be foraged or purchased dried.
Lemon: Adding lemon juice or zest can boost flavor and vitamin C content.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Using Fresh Elderberries: If using fresh berries, ensure they are fully ripe. Discard any unripe or green berries, as well as most stems and leaves, due to potential toxins. Freezing whole clusters before removing berries makes the process easier.
Ingredients
6 cups ripe fresh black or blue elderberries or 3 cups dried elderberries
6 cups water
2 1/2 cups raw honey
Any optional ingredients
Instructions
Put six cups of fresh black or blue elderberries (or three cups dried) into a large pot with six cups of water.
Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and simmer the elderberries uncovered for about one hour, or until reduced by nearly half. If you feel like it is reducing a bit too fast, you can partially cover the pot while it is simmering.
Remove the pot from the heat and set aside to cool to warm room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Strain out the elderberries using a fine mesh sieve, pressing the berries to get any extra liquid out. You can line the sieve or a colander with cheesecloth if you prefer, this also helps to squeeze out all of the liquid from the berries. Discard the berries. You should end up with at least one quart of elderberry and water mixture.
Add the raw honey while the elderberry and water mixture is still semi-warm and stir until it dissolves.
Storing the Syrup:
Pour the syrup into jars, seal, and refrigerate for up to six months.
Freezing and Canning Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup can be frozen for later use, which helps ensure you have a supply throughout the cold season. While canning is possible, it requires careful acid balance and would diminish the benefits of raw honey, so it's generally not recommended.
How to Use Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is a potent herbal remedy. Adults can take 1-2 tablespoons, 2-3 times daily, at the onset of cold or flu symptoms. It can also be taken as a precaution if exposed to illness. While effective during illness, it’s not advisable to take elderberry syrup daily as a preventative, especially for those with autoimmune conditions. The syrup can also be used as a delicious addition to foods like pancakes, ice cream, or beverages.
Is Elderberry Syrup Safe for Children?
Yes, elderberry syrup is safe for children over the age of one. Adjust the dosage based on their size, with small children (ages 1-5) taking 1-2 teaspoons twice per day. It can also be made into gummies or popsicles, which are popular with kids. Avoid giving elderberry syrup to infants under one year due to the raw honey content.
Additional Elderberry Recipes
If you enjoy elderberry syrup, there are many other elderberry-based recipes to try, such as elderberry gummies, popsicles, fermented honey, soda, mead, cocktails, and kombucha. For more ideas, check out comprehensive elderberry recipe collections for food and health.
