Store-bought elderberry syrup is very pricey but it often contains sugar, artificial sweeteners, preservatives and emulsifiers. Making your own syrup is very easy and affordable. I buy one pound of dry elderberries on Amazon for about the same price of a 4 ounce bottle of commercial elderberry syrup and it makes me about four to five 4 ounce bottles of homemade elderberry syrup.
I drink this syrup on a regular basis, especially during the fall and winter months, to boost my immune system. Elderberries are rich in vitamin C and also contain vitamins A and B, flavonoids, amino acids and carotenoids, they are helpful in treating colds, coughs, flu, asthma, upper respiratory infections, and tonsillitis. They are also used for its antioxidant activity, to improve heart health, lower cholesterol, and improve vision.
Other ingredients that make this syrup therapeutic are:
Raw Honey, an alkaline-forming food, antioxidant, antibacterial, and immune builder.
Cinnamon, a natural cough suppressant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
Cloves, a powerful germicidal, antiseptic, general stress reliever, blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial.
Dosage:
For prevention take 1 tbsp per day (kids 1 tsp per day, because of the honey it is not recommended for infants).
When taking to treat cold or flu symptoms take the standard dosage 3 times a day for 2-3 days
For other natural remedies check my cold and flu soothing tea or benefits and uses of coconut oil
Ingredients:
2 cups of water
½ cup of dry elderberries
½ cup of raw honey
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
8 cloves (optional)
In addition to these ingredients, feel free to add ginger, Echinacea and/or golden seal
Preparation:
- In a small saucepan combine the elderberries, cloves, cinnamon, and water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to med/low and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the fluids are reduced by half.
- Allow the mixture to cool and strain, making sure you squeeze as much juice our of the berries, you can also blend this and run it through a nut milk bag.
- Mix in the raw honey and whisk until fully dissolved.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
- 2 cups of water
- ½ cup of dry elderberries
- ½ cup of raw honey
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- 8 cloves (optional)
- In addition to this ingredients, feel free to add ginger, Echinacea and/or golden seal
- In a small saucepan combine the elderberries, cloves, cinnamon, and water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to med/low and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the fluids are reduced by half.
- Allow the mixture to cool and strain, making sure you squeeze as much juice our of the berries, you can also ben this and run it through a nut milk bag.
- Mix in the raw honey and whisk until fully dissolved.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, please consult with your health practitioner before taking this homemade elderberry syrup or any other supplements.
References:
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-elderberry.html
http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/raw-honey.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/031538_cinnamon_coughs.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/benefits-of/clove
Homemade Elderberry Syrup | Paleo Digest December 29, 2012 at 1:43 am
[...] Pure Pantry / Posted on: December 28, 2012My Pure Pantry – Store-bought elderberry syrup is very pricey but it often contains sugar, artificial [...]
Terri Pierman December 29, 2012 at 4:43 am
For carbohydrate intolerance reasons, I cannot even a bite of honey. Blood sugar plummets while insulin keeps pumping out and I go hypoglycemic and go blind in my right eye. Is there another substitute for the honey?
Edible Harmony December 29, 2012 at 8:36 am
you can skip all sweeteners or use stevia
Terri Pierman December 29, 2012 at 8:37 am
I forgot about stevia thanks!
slywlf December 30, 2012 at 4:42 am
Hi – I am relatively new to this so I may have missed a reference – what does the word ‘ben’ mean in context : “you can also ben this and run it through a nut milk bag”?? I absolutely love everything I have seen on this blog so far and am learning so much! I have an elderberry bush in my yard but had no idea how to use the berries. Now I will harvest them and run them through the dehydrator for this recipe – thanks!!!
Edible Harmony December 30, 2012 at 11:34 am
OH MY! I meant blend not ben. thanks for pointing that out. I just corrected it. you can also use fresh elderberries, but you will need more berries or less water.
Koni Briggs January 3, 2013 at 3:03 am
But please don’t eat the Elder seeds! Although the berries & blossoms are good medicine, the seeds, bark, & leaves are toxic.
Loretta January 3, 2013 at 6:15 am
Thanks for posting this recipe. You mention substituting fresh berries, but decreasing the amount of water and increasing the amount of berries. Any idea what the ratio would be? I have an elderberry bush, but it doesn’t produce enough to justify making straight elderberry wine or jam. This would be great!
Edible Harmony January 3, 2013 at 12:39 pm
I would just double the amount of berries.
Penny Pincher January 3, 2013 at 7:23 am
Would a tincture work also?
Alexis January 22, 2013 at 2:19 pm
can you give a link to the brand of elderberries you buy? THANKS!
Edible Harmony January 22, 2013 at 4:01 pm
this is the ones I buy http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UVW4JE/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=edibharm-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B000UVW4JE&adid=04AFEQACTZPWGHFPJPEF