Elderberry syrup has become a go-to anti-inflammatory remedy, helping both to prevent colds and soothe their symptoms once they start. Plus, it makes an ideal addition to recipes as an all-purpose sweetener!
As with other fruits and nuts, raw elderberries contain trace amounts of cyanogenic glycosides which could turn into cyanide when exposed to heat, but cooking eliminates this risk.
Dried Black Elderberries
Elder (Sambucus nigricans) plant has long been recognized for its healing properties, particularly as an immune system booster. Anthocyanin found in elderberries has been proven to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation–both which have numerous health benefits that elderberry syrup can offer the body. Studies have also demonstrated its potential in shortening cold and flu symptoms as well as preventing bacterial infections and decreasing pain from those suffering with inflammatory bowel disease.
Making homemade elderberry syrup is an enjoyable and straightforward way to incorporate this healing herb into your diet. Plus, its versatility means it’s open-ended: various herbs and spices can be added for flavor or extra health benefits; cinnamon adds both delicious taste as well as strengthening immunity and fighting off viral infections like the common cold; whole cloves act as antibacterials while providing additional immune boosting power against viral infections like the common cold; you could also incorporate additional medicinal properties like those provided by echinacea root, licorice root or rose hips which all boast high doses of vitamin C content!
For optimal potency, when making herbal remedies at home it is vital to use only high quality ingredients. Dried black elderberries contain numerous antioxidant phenols responsible for many therapeutic benefits associated with this herb.
To create your syrup, combine one cup of berries and four cups of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for approximately 25-30 minutes until reduced by half; allow liquid to cool before straining out before refrigerating it up to six months for best results.
To make your syrup sweeter and more child-friendly, consider swapping out honey for maple syrup or nutrient-rich molasses. Or omit all sweeteners altogether to create an elderberry tincture made up of alcohol-based liquid that’s safe for adults (though this option should not be consumed by children). As always, be sure to consult with a medical provider prior to taking elderberry extract or syrup.
Dried Aronia Berries
Aronia, a shrub-like fruit that ranks higher than blueberries on the ORAC antioxidant scale, is becoming a popular dietary supplement choice. Aronia is widely believed to help with immunity, inflammation and prevention of diabetes – one study demonstrated how taking 300 mg daily doses of aronia extract helped lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides among people suffering from metabolic syndrome.
Aronia can be added to tea, hot chocolate or coffee beverages or simply eaten straight out of the bag. It also appears in health-food supplements and capsules; look out for organic labels when shopping! Also select brands with clear information regarding how and where the berries were grown and harvested if your concern is GMO avoidance.
Many elderberry syrups contain raw honey for both flavoring and natural preservative properties, however this should be done mindfully as honey can have its own set of side effects that should be avoided by those suffering from allergies or autoimmune conditions. An alternative might include opting for an elderberry syrup without added sugars.
Best-quality brands will often feature the USDA Organic label, which indicates their product was produced without synthetic fertilizers or herbicides and from high-grade berries processed to ensure safety and purity in its final form. It’s wise to double check that gluten and vegan-free syrup is available prior to purchasing it.
Elderberry seeds can be grown from scratch, but you must understand the differences between varieties and cultivars when purchasing elderberries for your garden. Cultivars have been carefully chosen for their desirable features while varieties reproduce themselves from seeds naturally occurring within nature. When buying cultivars for your garden they may differ significantly in hardiness, yield and flavor from wild species.
Dried Red Elderberries
Elderberries can be an incredible medicinal and food plant, yet when consumed raw they’re quite toxic due to the compounds they contain that produce cyanide upon digestion, so only consume after cooking. But don’t be put off: elderberries make delicious dried berries that add great texture and sweetness to recipes; children especially love eating elderberry syrup! For optimal results when creating elderberry syrup at home use glass bottles or jars instead of plastic or metal containers since plastic and metal containers leach chemicals and microparticles into it over time.
Elderberries for this syrup can be purchased from your local health food store or grown yourself – although please keep in mind that elderberry plants may become invasive and should only be planted where they will be welcome guests!
Elderberry species and cultivars come in all sizes. To find one suitable to your climate, it is important to take into account maturity size (some cultivars grow much larger), flower head production capacity, disease resistance and disease susceptibility when narrowing your options down. Once selected, carefully read descriptions before choosing the one which meets your preferences best.
If you are interested in cultivating elderberries themselves, many nurseries and online sellers offer it. You may even find some options at your local garden center. Some online sellers specialize in selling edible and medicinal plants like heirloom vegetables, fruit trees, herbs as well as pollinator-friendly trees and shrubs; other stores specialize in offering pollinator-friendly species as pollinator habitat restoration efforts.
Some online retailers provide specific cultivars of this plant, including Lemon Lace and Haschberg, that come from its heritage but perform particularly well in the US, being known for disease resistance and increased productivity.
Adams and York cultivars of this plant can also be purchased, which tend to do better in northern regions due to being more compact than their counterparts and boast productivity as well as drought tolerance, producing large and sweet-tasting berries.
Dried Mulberries
Black Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are perhaps most familiar as herbal cough syrup ingredients and as immune-support supplements, with most scientific studies exploring their medicinal benefits using this species of elderberry. Though there is a variety of elderberry products on the market today, look for products using Sambucus nigra grown organically if possible.
Commercial black elderberry syrups often contain added sugar for optimal taste. Individuals who are concerned with their sugar intake may wish to opt for elderberry capsules or tinctures instead, as these options won’t alter any medication prescribed to them. It is always advisable for people taking medication before beginning an herbal remedy such as elderberry syrup to check with their healthcare providers first to ensure compatibility between treatments.
Zarbee’s Organic Black Elderberry Syrup for Kids may be an ideal solution to meet the needs of young kids. Each serving contains 178mg of black elderberry extract without chemicals or artificial flavors – providing an alternative to store-bought cough suppressants. As always, parents are advised to consult their pediatrician prior to giving their child any new dietary supplements, including elderberry syrup.
Adults seeking an organic, gluten-free and non-GMO product to support immune system health will find this a suitable choice as it contains more than 10 times as many black elderberries per drop than other brands on the market. In addition, artificial flavors and colors are free while potassium sorbate serves as preservative – perfect for anyone searching for support for immune health!
Though black elderberry supplements come in both capsule and tincture forms, syrup remains the most convenient and popular way to incorporate elderberries into everyday routines.
Organic black elderberry syrup made with high quality ingredients like real honey and an array of spices is free from gluten, corn, dairy, soy, artificial flavors, additives, sulphites or any other chemicals – and makes an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C!
