School is back in session and cold and flu season is fast approaching. In our house, that means it’s time to start taking a daily dose of elderberry syrup to help boost our immune system. 
You may also like:
» How to make an Elderberry Tincture
» Fire Cider Recipe
Elderberry Syrup
This time of year is when you really start hearing about elderberries, which is no surprise given the reputation that elderberry has when it comes to boosting the immune system. Stores begin stocking their shelves with elderberry syrup and elderberry tincture. While this is a great alternative, I’ll be honest in saying that I’ve yet to find one on the shelves that my kids love. They would much rather have the elderberry syrup that I make for them throughout the winter months.
Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
It is said that elder is a complete medicine chest, offering an abundance of medicine. The flowers promote sweating. The leaf is wonderful for making a soothing salve, compresses, and eyewashes. The berries, which most are familiar with are fantastic at helping to remove viruses from the body.
Elderberry Syrup Dosage
To help support the immune function during cold and flu season adults can take up to 1 Tablespoon a day. Children can take 1/2 – 1 teaspoon daily.
During illness, the dosage increases to taking the syrup every 3 hours until the symptoms resolve.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Elderberries (1/2 cup dried or 1 cup fresh)
Seedless Rosehips (1/4 cup) – I use these
Water (3 cups)
1 Cinnamon stick
4 cloves
Freshly grated ginger (1 Tablespoon)
Raw local honey (1/2 cup)
Instructions
1. Place the elderberries, rosehips, cinnamon stick, cloves, and ginger into the saucepan and cover with water.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 35-45 minutes. Until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
3. Smash the berries. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.
4. When mixture cools to lukewarm, add 1/2 cup raw honey.
5. Bottle the syrup and store in the refrigerator. (I use these bottles)
A look at the other herbs
Here’s a look at why the other herbs added to the syrup are important.
Rosehips
These little berries contain more vitamin C than almost any other herb, even more than the amount found in citrus fruits.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a long list of medicinal attributes and is highly antimicrobial. We always keep both ceylon and cassia on hand at all times.
Ginger
Fresh ginger can always be found in our house. We use it for making warming teas, ginger lemon-aide, syrups and so much more. It’s an all-around fantastic herb that can be used for many things; sore throats, colds & flu, congestion and so much more.
Clove
Clove can help when it comes to destroying viruses and can help shorten the duration of colds and flus.
Printable Version
Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried elderberries
- 1/4 cup seedless rosehips
- 3 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/2 cup raw honey
Instructions
-
Place the elderberries, rosehips, cinnamon stick, cloves, and ginger into the saucepan and cover with water.
-
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 35-45 minutes. Until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
-
Smash the berries. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.
-
When mixture cools to lukewarm, add 1/2 cup raw honey.
-
Bottle the syrup and store in the refrigerator.
