Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried elderberries 

• 4 cups filtered or spring water

• Raw local honey

Elderberry syrup is a recipe that you can customize to your liking. If you want to add in some extra beneficial properties to your recipe or just make it taste yummier. Make it your own and play around with it. 

Optional Add Ins for taste and Additional Beneficial Properties:

• Cinnamon stick 

• Echinacea 

• Ginger -fresh or dried (Dried ginger is stronger than fresh, so use smaller amounts if using dried) 

• Vanilla Bean 

• Cardamom - cracked pods or ground 

• Clove (clove is very strong, use only a small amount)

• Star Anise

• Rosehips

• Orange Peel  

• Thyme

Directions:

1. Add water and elderberries to a small pot. (along with any additional add ins of choice)

2. Bring to a boil, and then immediately reduce heat to a simmer. 

3. Simmer for 30 mins. 

4. Remove from heat, add lid and let steep for 1 hour. 

5. Strain liquid into a glass measuring up using cheesecloth, a metal strainer or a nut milk bag. Making sure to wring it out completely to get all of the beneficial liquids. (Use caution when attempting this step as the liquid may still be hot.)

6. Measure final liquid. 

7. Add in ½ to equal amounts of honey as there is liquid. Or to taste. 

8. Label and store in a clean glass jar in the fridge for up to 6 months. 

Dosage:

• As a preventive tonic for adults: Take 1 tbsp a day

• For acute immune support for adults: Take 1 tbsps, 3-4 times a day

• As a preventative for children: Take 1 tsps a day 

• For acute immune support for children: Take 1 tsps, 3-4 times a day

How to Use Elderberry Syrup 

1. A Spoonful a Day: Elderly berry syrup can be taken by the spoonful at the first sign of illness or as a preventative during cold and flu season. 

2. Warm Elder Beverage: Warming up some water and adding 1 to 2 tbsps of elderberry syrup is also a nice way to consume it. 

3. Using it in place of Syrup: Drizzling it on top of some ice cream or on top of pancakes or oatmeal is also a yummy way to include it as a treat.

4. Elderberry Mocktail: Adding 1-2 tbsps of elderberry syrup to a glass, a fresh squeeze of lemon juice, and filling with bubbly water is a great way to have a little elderberry mocktail while boosting your immune system

Is Elderberry Safe for Everyone? 

Elderberry is one of those herbs that is also considered a food and is generally safe for most people. That being said, everyone is unique, and so we can not know how each person will react to herbs in general. 

Different sources cite different things when it comes to Elderberry being safe in pregnancy and lactation. Some say it is completely safe, others say it is not. I think for the most part this is because of a lack of clinical data being done on this particular demographic in general. Elderberry has been used through the ages and safely consumed by pregnant and lactating women. Use caution or talk to a knowledgeable practitioner before using elderberry if you are pregnant or lactating. 

Elderberry is considered safe for children. That being said, if you are using an elderberry syrup that contains honey, DO NOT give it to children under the age of 1 years old. As honey is not safe for children under 1 and can potentially cause infantile botulism. 

Elderberry is considered an immunomodulator, which means they have the ability to work on the immune system. People who have autoimmune diseases should use caution when taking elderberry. If you do have an autoimmune disease and want to take elderberry I would suggest speaking with a qualified practitioner before doing so.