Elderberries contain powerful immune-enhancing compounds, helping reduce the duration of colds and flu. Furthermore, elderberries serve as natural cough suppressant.
Elderberry syrup can be purchased both online and at natural food stores. But making your own can be much cheaper! Plus, adding rosehips adds extra vitamin C for immune support!
1. Dried Elderberries
Dried elderberries can be purchased online or from natural health food stores in bulk; usually found in the herbal supplements section. Although dried elderberries don’t taste quite as fresh, they still make a good option for making syrup; just combine six cups of water and six dried elderberries and bring the mixture to boil over medium heat; once simmered for approximately one hour the liquid should have reduced by half and you should have soft, flavorful berries which can then be stored in an airtight glass jar in your fridge – your syrup should last several months!
The syrup can be used as both a treatment for cold and flu symptoms or taken preventively to boost immunity. Packed with vitamin C – an anti-inflammatory antioxidant known to fight inflammation and strengthen immune systems – the syrup makes a delicious treat added to smoothies, ice cream treats and cocktails/mocktails alike!
There are various advantages of buying black elderberry syrup from a reputable company rather than making your own homemade version. One such renowned brand, Sambucol has been around for more than 30 years and boasts 3.8g of black elderberries per serving without artificial colors or flavors – an excellent option both children and adults!
Honey Gardens Black Elderberry Syrup is another fantastic option, made from all-natural organic ingredients and boasting zero grams of added sugar. Safe for both kids and adults, Honey Gardens Black Elderberry Syrup should be taken daily as a preventive tonic to stay well.
Elderberry Queen is an exceptional black elderberry syrup product created by a mother to aid her children during cold and flu season. Certified organic by USDA, its formulation contains other natural herbs such as ginger, cloves, cinnamon and lemon peel that have antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits that make Elderberry Queen one of the top choices available today.
2. Fresh Elderberries
If you have access to a shade tree or bush (even your own backyard), fresh elderberries can be harvested and used to make homemade syrup without adding any additional sugar – an effective and healthy way of giving your immune system an additional boost!
Before beginning the production of syrup, it’s essential that all bottles and jars that will be used be thoroughly sterilized in order to extend its shelf life and ensure it remains free from bacteria or any other microbes that might compromise it. While this process may be time consuming, its results will ensure your syrup remains free from unwanted contaminants that might compromise it later.
Sambucus nigra elderberries are an ideal place to start when considering cultivating your own medicine and syrup production. You’ll likely be able to find this elderberry at most nurseries and garden centers; alternatively, growing it yourself might even prove possible!
Leaves of this plant feature an elegant compound-leaved pattern. Each stem of this plant boasts five to eleven odd-numbered leaflets on it that face each other; additionally, they may feel slightly prickly to touch. However, bear in mind that flowers or berries won’t appear until spring; you may have to wait awhile before seeing any branches bearing fruit!
Once the berries have been picked, they should be soaked for about an hour in a solution of water and sugar in order to draw out excess juice, making straining simpler. After boiling this reduced liquid down further and thickening it further, you’re left with an irresistibly nutritious syrup you can drizzle over ice cream or mix into drinks!
There is an array of black elderberry syrup products on the market today, many infused with herbs, spices and flowers to add flavour and additional benefits. One such brand that stands out is Sambucol; available both capsules and syrup forms and offering no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives; an ideal option for people living with allergies.
3. Raw Honey
Contrary to commercial elderberry syrup products on the market, this one does not contain any additives or fillers. Made with pure wild harvested elderberries infused with raw honey and used in beverages or recipes as an immune-boosting flavoring agent for beverages or smoothies; also said to help alleviate seasonal allergies by desensitizing your body to the pollen that triggers these allergic reactions.
This product has been independently lab tested to ensure potency and purity. Manufactured at a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility and offered with a quality guarantee from its manufacturer, its ingredients come from within the US, while nutritional information on their website provides more details than can be found elsewhere – perfect for those wanting an all-natural, less costly alternative to store bought brands of Sambucol!
Find it here in a 16 ounce amber bottle – it’s simple syrup made from organic raw honey that’s easy to use – simply mix into juice, water, coffee or tea for an immune-boosting treat! Made from organic raw honey containing powerful elderberry antioxidants for maximum benefits: supporting immunity while reducing inflammation and providing natural energy boost!
This syrup is created from organically grown and wild-harvested elderberries combined with unfiltered raw honey – creating the ideal combination of sweetness and immune-boosting power! Ideal for kids, adults, and pets! These powerful herbs will ensure your family remains strong!
This recipe is both straightforward and cost effective; a quart of this syrup can be made for around $50, much cheaper than purchasing similar products like Sambucol from grocery stores or online. Once prepared, this syrup can be stored in the fridge for several weeks; or can even be canned to preserve its shelf life! All that’s required in addition to raw local honey is usually found at farmer’s markets or by reaching out directly to beekeepers directly.
4. Ginger
Ginger adds additional antiviral, antioxidant, and immune-boosting benefits to this recipe by increasing the elderberries’ antiviral, antioxidant and immune-boosting abilities. Plus it’s great as a digestive herb and works wonders in soothing sore throats! Additionally, its antidepressant effects help relieve nausea, headaches and abdominal pain as it contains gingerol which reduces inflammation while killing bacteria – plus its high vitamin C content makes this an invaluable vitamin C source!
Fresh or dried ginger will produce more robust flavors; either variety may also add cinnamon stick for additional flavanols and anti-inflammatory benefits; cloves provide antiviral, antibiotic, and antifungal protection while soothing sore throats and coughs; while black pepper helps enhance absorption and effectiveness of nutrients in food products.
Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until liquid has reduced by half. Allow mixture to cool before pouring it through a fine-mesh strainer; discard berries and herbs as you strain.
Once the syrup has reached room temperature, add honey and stir thoroughly. To add an extra boost of immune-boosting goodness (and extra sweetness!), try stirring in some vodka, brandy or another form of alcohol as an additional preservative.
Store the syrup in a sterilized jar or bottle and keep it refrigerated, for best results. Enjoy this delectable homemade syrup as part of your preventative healthcare strategy to ward off colds and flu or to alleviate symptoms when they do occur; or use it as an add-on when suffering from illness to ease symptoms and speed recovery time. It can also be drizzled onto food or used as a sweetener in drinks – this healthier approach makes an incredible impactful statement about taking charge of our health! This simple homemade elderberry goodness will have your body feeling great in no time!
