Elderberry Syrup Goodness for Cold and Flu Season.

Maybe you have heard of elderberries or elderberry syrup and you are thinking is there any truth to this berry helping keep my family well or shorten a cold or the flu. With this flu season being worse than some other ones in our area this year, like this due to the months of poor air quality from the fires right before flu season, you may be wanting to try it out but are unsure. There are many cultures that have used the elderberry for medicine and to keep healthy for centuries. There are also some great studies on them this is from a study conducted on elderberries for healthy persons (if you have an immunodeficiency then consult your doctor before taking any type of supplements), “Sambucus nigra L. products – Sambucol – are based on a standardized black elderberry extract. They are natural remedies with antiviral properties, especially against different strains of influenza virus. Sambucol was shown to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza virus. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, Sambucol reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3-4 days” The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines study.

Honey is the other key to making elderberry syrup in most elderberry syrup blends though other options are able to be used if you want to make and are vegan or you want to give to a baby under one year of age then honey is not to be used as they can not have honey. Raw organic honey is the best kind to use due to its many health benefits. Any honey can be used if it’s all you have access to. “Honey has a very complex chemical composition that varies depending on the botanical source. It has been used both as food and medicine since ancient times. Human use of honey is traced to some 8000 years ago as depicted by Stone Age paintings. In addition to important role of natural honey in the traditional medicine, during the past few decades, it was subjected to laboratory and clinical investigations by several research groups and it has found a place in modern medicine“ from a study Traditional and Modern Uses of Natural Honey in Human Diseases: A Review

You can buy elderberry syrup at the store but it is expensive and there are additives in it that I can’t even pronounce. So I wanted a better alternative I found it and it is that I make my own elderberry syrup and so can you, it’s not difficult at all!

You will need some dried elderberries I buy mine in bulk to save some money I buy them directly from Frontier co-op or you can find this brand locally at some health food or organic grocery stores my local chain Oliver’s Market carries them. I really love this store so many great products available right down the street from me.

The next must-have when making elderberry syrup is honey I prefer to get local raw organic honey for the health benefits as I mentioned and shared some links to above.

Once you have your dried ( nigra L. Sambucol) black elderberry and honey you are ready to make your elderberry syrup.

Ingredients

2/3 cup dried black elderberries (about 3 ounces)

4 cups of filtered water (3 1/2 for instant pot method)

1 cup of  local raw organic honey ( I get mine at Oliver’s Market or the Farmers Market)

                                                            Optional Ingredients 
2 Tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root

1 stick of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1 lemon to zest and juice

2 tablespoons of rose hips

You will need a pot for the stove or an instant pot.

Directions for making Elderberry Syrup

Step 1.

Place 2/3 cup of dried elderberries and 4 cups of filtered water into a pot if using stove top method. If using instant pot decrease water by 1/2 cup. (Note Do NOT add honey until later you don’t want to heat it as it will lose many of its health benefits)

Step 2.

Add any herbs that you want to enhance the flavor. I add a stick of cinnamon and zest a lemon on and then juice it into the pot. Things like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, rose hips and lemon are commonly added. (If giving to young children I recommend leaving out spices as many young children do not like them)

Step 3.

Stir the contents for a stovetop method bring to a boil then cover place on low heat, watch and stir occasionally for about 50-75 minutes then remove from heat.

For instant pot after stirring place the top on the instant pot and press soup button and set to 75 minutes once done allow the pressure to naturally release (about ten minutes)

Step 4.

Smash the elderberries really well using a fork or a potato masher

Step 5.

Allow cooling

Step 6.

Strain the berries and any herbs you may have used out and the liquid into a glass mason jar or similar container. You can toss the strained berries or compost them!

Step 7.

Mix in 1 cup of raw local organic honey

Step 8.

Congratulations! You made homemade elderberry syrup! Now your family can enjoy the benefits at a fraction of the cost of store-bought elderberry syrup and no unnecessary additives.

Storage.

I keep mine in the mason jar in the fridge it lasts for about 2 months but have usually used it up before then and made more!

Note: If you’d like you can double or triple  or quadruple the recipe (When I make is recipe I quadruple it)

Then you can share with your friends or freeze the extra for later in mason jars just do not fill all the way up to allow room for expansion when it freezes.

Use.

The standard dose is generally 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp for kids and 1/2 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults daily for preventative measures

If a cold or flu strikes your household, we take the standard dose 3`4 times a day until symptoms are gone