The last 4 Christmases have not been normal Christmases for my family. Four years ago I had to go to the hospital to be induced (for preeclampsia) on Christmas Eve and had my first born on Christmas day.
Since then we have all caught some sort of flu or flu-like illness each year for Christmas. Yep. It’s like a horrible Christmas tradition which I’m hoping to break this year. That’s where the elderberry syrup recipe comes in! (update: It worked! no sickness for Christmas!)
Since OG has been going to preschool twice a week she’s come home with a few runny noses (which QC promptly caught). I started them both on elderberry syrup right away and I believe it has helped shorten their colds.
Elderberry Syrup has Been Used for Thousands of Years in Folk Medicine
But there’s some science to support the use of an elderberry syrup recipe for cold and flu too.
One compelling study found that using elderberry syrup shortened flu-like illness by an average of 4 days and reduced need for rescue medication. Other studies have found that elderberry flavonoids are helpful at relieving flu-like symptoms and inhibit influenza viruses, including H1N1.
Elderberries are loaded with vitamin C, immune boosting minerals, and antioxidants which means, along with being able to reduce symptoms and shorten illness, they may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties. (source)
But elderberry syrup is expensive and some brands include yucky ingredients, so I’m trying my hand at a homemade elderberry syrup recipe to add to my homemade natural health products.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
This recipe is the best because it is super simple and easy to make.
I recommend making it before everyone gets sick. But it’s simple enough that if needed you could whip up a batch at the first sign of illness.
This recipe includes raw honey which may not be safe for children under 12 months old. Check with your health care provider before giving this remedy to children (or yourself). If you’d like to make it without honey you can sub maple syrup or organic sugar but you will be missing out on the health benefits of raw honey.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries or 1 1/3 cup fresh
- 3.5 cups water (filtered if you have town or city water)
- 1 cup RAW honey, preferably local but this is the one I buy when I can’t get it locally (I’ve consistently found the best price here
)
- 1 quart mason jar or similar
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring elderberries and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
Using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the elderberries over your jar. When the juice is cool enough to touch (around 110 degrees F) add the raw honey and stir, smoosh and shake to mix.
It may be helpful to heat the honey slightly before adding it but be careful not to overheat it as heating will damage the medicinal properties of the honey.
Store in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator. It should last for several months.
How to Use this Elderberry Syrup Recipe
The dosage for elderberry syrup is 1/2 – 1 teaspoon for kids and 1/2 -1 tablespoon for adults.
Remember that if you want to give it to infants switch out the raw honey for sugar or maple syrup.
Take once daily through the winter to fend off colds and flu.
If you get sick, take the same dosage but increase the frequency to every 2-3 hours until symptoms are gone.
- 1 cup dried elderberries or 1 1/3 cup fresh
- 3.5 cups water (filtered if you have town or city water)
- 1 cup RAW honey, preferably local
- 1 quart mason jar or similar
- In a medium saucepan, bring elderberries and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the elderberries over your jar. When the juice is cool enough to touch (around 110 degrees F) add the raw honey and stir, smoosh and shake to mix. It may be helpful to heat the honey slightly before adding it but be careful not to overheat it as heating will damage the medicinal properties of the honey.
Have you ever tried a homemade elderberry syrup recipe? What did you think?
Thanks for the recipe! I’ve heard a lot about how awesome elderberry syrup is, and I would like to try and give it a second chance.
However… I say ‘second chance’ because elderberries left a rather unpleasant first impression.
Fun fact; raw elderberries contain a compound (cyanide glycoside) that breaks down into CYANIDE in your digestive system. While boiling and otherwise processing the berries will help curtail this problem, make sure that the elderberries you’re using are of the species Sambucus nigra. This is the ONLY species of elderberry that will not poison you. Do not eat ANYTHING but the berries. The rest of the elder plant is SUPER toxic.
Voice of experience here. I tried eating raw elderberries on a hike and learned to regret that one REALLY quick.
You’re right, elderberries can be very dangerous thanks for pointing that out. The ones I used (linked in the post) are the safe ones, but, like you said, they’re only safe if they are cooked!