Elderberry syrup is an age-old remedy known to strengthen immunity and alleviate cold and flu symptoms. Here’s a straightforward recipe using alcohol infusion for shelf stable syrup that won’t need canning during winter.
Add cinnamon and ginger for better taste and additional immune-enhancing benefits, or include echinacea root or rose hips for an additional vitamin C boost.
Ingredients
Elderberries are naturally immune-enhancing and antiviral, making this homemade syrup an effective remedy against colds and flus. Plus, it promotes respiratory health while alleviating symptoms associated with seasonal allergies – perfect for daily sipping! You could even add it to drinks like Kombucha, Kefir or Soda Water as well as pancakes or waffles recipes as a sweetener!
This recipe utilizes dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra) and raw honey for maximum benefit, adding raw honey to help mask their strong flavor and make this syrup more appealing to kids. In addition, raw honey offers its own health advantages including improved gut health and reduced insulin resistance among those living with type 2 diabetes.
Elderberries can be found at most grocery stores and herb shops, often sold in bulk quantities for use in herbal medicine making. When selecting elderberries for herbal medicine use, ensure they have no bruises or holes and select only those that have dark, sticky berries with no visible bruises or signs of damage.
While you can incorporate numerous herbs and spices into this dish, keep it as straightforward as possible to ensure the elderberry flavor stands out. This is especially important if using mild-flavored herbs like mullein as these could easily become overshadowed.
Some recipes call for adding alcohol as an extender and preventer of spoilage, though this step isn’t absolutely essential if making larger batches and wanting to store them for extended periods of time.
Once the mixture has cooled, add honey and transfer to a clean and sterile container – such as a mason jar or clip-top bottle – for storage in the fridge for maximum freshness.
Elderberry syrup can be safely given to babies and children when given at appropriate doses. Toddlers and infants should typically receive 1 teaspoon per day; as soon as symptoms of illness or fever arise, increase to 2-3 full teaspoons every 2-3 waking hours until symptoms subside; this treatment should last 2-4 days or until its effects subside completely. It is advisable to speak to a pediatrician before giving your child this medication.
Preparation
Elderberry syrup is an effective immune-boosting remedy, helping prevent or shorten the duration of colds and flu. Easy to make at home and delicious when added to cocktails or warm winter beverages – this recipe uses both dried and fresh herbs and spices to craft an herbal medicine suitable for seasonal health.
This recipe includes elderberries and raw honey as the cornerstone ingredients; additionally it includes turmeric for wintertime health benefits and lemon peel as a source of antivirals and antioxidants. Ginger or cloves may be added for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties; for those suffering from IBS or having sensitive stomachs maple syrup offers low FODMAP values so it may be more suitable.
Simply combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and boil them together until their liquid content decreases, then allow to cool before straining; once this syrup has set it can be stored for up to two weeks in your fridge.
For an even stronger syrup, infuse your berries and water with herbs or spices such as fresh or dried. Some recipes call for mullein, echinacea or licorice root; however these might be too strong for some individuals. Try increasing bioavailability by including black pepper which increases bioavailability in your body.
Fennel seeds are another popular choice when making homemade elderberry syrup, boasting abundant vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe sore throats. You could also experiment with rosemary, sage or oregano.
When creating this syrup, it’s essential that you use only high-grade organic ingredients, which contain less pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals than their traditional counterparts. Furthermore, be sure to purchase herbs and spices from trusted online retailers so they’re authentic. Also consult with your physician prior to taking new supplements as this may inform them if the supplement could interfere with any medical conditions which might otherwise interfere with its benefits.
Storage
Elderberry syrup can be an invaluable weapon in your arsenal for fighting cold and flu symptoms, shortening their duration while speeding recovery time when sick. Packed full of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, elderberry syrup can also soothe sore throats, ease sinus congestion and help with seasonal allergies – not to mention save you money compared with store-bought versions! Making it at home using only basic ingredients saves both money and effort when compared to buying store versions.
This recipe uses both fresh or dried black elderberries (Sambucus nigra). They can be purchased in most grocery stores and farmer’s markets during fall/winter seasons; otherwise they’re widely available year-round in herbal shops and health food stores. You’ll need filtered water, cinnamon sticks and half cup of raw honey as ingredients for this dish; other immune-boosting herbs/spices such as fresh ginger, turmeric or cloves can also be added if desired.
Add the elderberries and spices to water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes or until liquid has reduced by about half. Strain through a sieve or undyed cotton muslin cloth while pressing gently with spatula or potato masher to extract as much juice, spice essences, and juice as possible from mixture before discarding berries and herbs (they can be composted instead).
Pressure cooking this recipe requires increasing the elderberry quantities by three or four, as longer cooking may result in an unpleasant, bitter tasting syrup. To do this, increase the elderberries by three or four and cook at high pressure for only fifteen minutes at high pressure before turning down to low pressure for further reduction of pressure and time.
Before adding honey, allow the syrup to cool before pouring it into glass jars or bottles and placing in the fridge. Sip some daily or use it to sweeten beverages such as kombucha, kefir, soda water and cocktails! It can even be used to infuse tea bags or herbal remedies!
Serving
Elderberries are an established natural remedy, known for boosting immunity, alleviating cold symptoms and shortening flu duration. As powerful antioxidants they also have antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Unfortunately, buying elderberry syrup from health food stores can be quite pricey; with this recipe it’s easier than ever to create your own at home at an even lower cost!
Basic ingredients and the process are easy to find and the process quick and simple. Simply bring water and dried elderberries to a boil, simmer until reduced by approximately half and stir regularly to prevent burning. When your syrup has cooled off you can customize it according to your own personal needs by adding herbs such as ginger, lemon zest, cloves or cinnamon as desired before finally adding alcohol (optional). Adding alcohol will extend its shelf life as it inhibits bacteria and mold growth – perfect for long-term storage!
If raw honey isn’t your cup of tea, maple syrup or another non-refined sweetener might do just as well. Raw honey contains beneficial enzymes that may boost immune systems while simultaneously helping lower fevers and alleviate coughs – an especially helpful feature when caring for young children. Always consult your physician first before giving herbal supplements to infants.
Once your syrup has cooled, place it in a glass jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator. It should last at least one month when stored this way if shaken before each use. Use it alone or mix into other foods like pancakes or smoothies; even mix into yogurt as part of an immune boosting breakfast!
Elderberry syrup can be especially helpful during flu season, when taken regularly as an aid against getting sick. A delicious part of any healthy diet plan, Elderberry Syrup will surely keep your family feeling healthy and well!
