Elderberry Syrup: Nature's Flu Shot

Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) has been known for centuries as a natural cure for many health ailments. Today it is commonly used to boost the immune system and fight colds and the flu. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial, largely due to high levels of Vitamin C and bioflavonoids which are powerful antioxidants. Additional benefits of elderberry are improved vision, lower cholesterol, and it reduces candida overgrowth.

An easy and delicious way to consume elderberries is in elderberry syrup. It is one of the few health remedies I make that my four-year-old begs for. He loves the taste of this natural immune booster. It is pretty simple to make and leaves the house smelling of autumn spices. 

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Ingredients: 

2/3 cup Elderberries (you can find here)

1 cup Raw Honey

1 TBSP Whole Cloves 

A Cinnamon Stick

A knuckle of Fresh Ginger

3 1/2 cups Water

I start with 2/3 a cup of elderberries, 1 tablespoons of whole cloves, a cinnamon stick, and a knuckle of ginger thinly sliced. I just throw it into my cast iron pan because I use this pan for everything possible.

 Then I add 3 1/2 cups of water and bring it all to a boil. Do not add the honey yet, that comes later. You will want to avoid heating raw honey to retain its health benefits. Once the mixture is boiling, I reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan and let it cook for 45 minutes to an hour. But I keep and eye on it. It is ready once the liquid has reduced to about half of what you started with. 

 After it has reduced, strain the liquid into a glass bowl or pitcher. Discard of the material left in the strainer so all you have left is the liquid. 

 Let the liquid cool in the glass bowl. Once it is very close to room temperature stir in your raw honey. 

 

Voila! You have elderberry syrup. It makes approximately 16 oz.You can store it for about 3 months in the refrigerator. I pour mine through a funnel into a flip top bottle that is way too big, but I have a thing for this type of bottle and have yet to find a 16 oz one. 

Here are Susan Weed of Wise Woman Herbal's suggested dosages: 

Adults, 100-150 pounds – 1 tsp, up to 8 times a day

Children, 60-100 pounds – 1/2 tsp, up to 8 times a day

Children under 60 pounds – 1/4 tsp, up to 8 times a day

You can also add it to smoothies, juice, or you might want to pour a little over ice

 and just sip on it because it is simply delicious.