Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
You may hear the word ELDERBERRY flying around this time of year. As soon as cold and flu season starts, everyone is on the lookout for it! A few years back, I was pretty sick (possibly the flu, but I’m not sure) and I was researching more natural ways to kick it. Elderberry was just starting to become more mainstream & it was sold out everywhere… and I mean everywhere. My husband and I drove around town for hours until we found a health store with some syrup. It started working for me immediately and since then we take it daily throughout flu season.
Of course, this isn’t a medication, but I know that it has worked great at helping boost my family’s immunity that maybe you are interested in making it as well!
Does Elderberry Syrup Really Work?
According to Detoxinista, “Elderberry extract has been shown to significantly improve or reduce cold and flu symptoms, and it may help you get over your symptoms faster, when taken at the first sign of illness. According to this study elderberry extract has been shown to reduce the duration of flu symptoms by an average of 4 days when taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms appearing. I would say that sounds like a great alternative to me!
Now, if you are looking to make it yourself it can be SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than getting it at any store. There are gummy options, syrup, and capsules.Personally, we like the taste of the syrup-even my picky 3 year old-so we love to make our own. Another plus is that when making it ourselves, we can add in local honey so that it helps us combat daily allergies as well. WIN WIN!
Homemade Elderberry Syrup For The Whole Family
What you will need:
2 Cup Dried Elderberries
1 Cup Honey
8 Cups Water
Teaspoon of Ginger (Minced)
Make note: Do NOT eat raw elderberries. They are known to cause pretty bad stomach pains and cramping. You must boil and cook them & strain them- avoiding the skin.
1. Combine elderberries, water, and ginger in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, Lowering the heat and allowing the mixture to simmer for about 20 minutes or until the water has been reduced by half.
2. Transfer the cooked berries and liquid to a bowl and pour it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the skins. Press down on the berries in the strainer, to extract all of the juice, then discard the pulp.
3. Allow the elderberry juice to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, add in the honey. Whisk and stir in cinnamon as well.
4. Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge! That’s that!
Generally this recipe stays good for 2 weeks in the fridge, however you can freeze excess that you don’t think you will use and thaw later in the refrigerator.Also, since there is no added sugar it can seem more liquidy than what you may purchase at the store.
Our whole family loves to take a swig a day & we take it a few times a day if we are actually sick. Elderberry is a great way to assist your immune system and cold and flu season is the ideal time todo so!
