Herbs That Heal: Elderberry Syrup – Immune Boosting Cold and Flu Remedy
This week, I made a big batch of elderberry syrup. With flu season here, I decided to make this for my family and close friends to help boost their immune health. Easy to make and a delicious way to help keep the sniffles away. This homemade elderberry syrup takes a few hours, start to finish, so I suggest making this a weekend project.
Elderberries are one of my most-used go-to remedies for the cold and flu season. The fruit of the Sambucus nigra plant, elderberries are high in vitamins A and C and anthocyanins (antioxidants that give the berries their bluish-purple hue), and they stimulate the immune system. In fact, elderberry syrup has been scientifically shown to reduce the duration of influenza by as many as four days.
There is certainly a time and a place for conventional medicine and doctors visits. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that conventional medicine can do for a common cold or even a mild case of the flu.
Elderberry syrup provides the concentrated immune-supporting benefits of black elderberries in a great-tasting way. My recipe uses elderberries with herbs like cinnamon and ginger, plus raw honey for an extra immune boost.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup dried elderberries
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon dried cloves
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon dried ginger
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the elderberries, water, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 40-45 minutes.
- Allow the liquid to cool, and then drain the liquid using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- Press all liquid out of the berries using the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add the raw honey and mix well.
Well done! You just made elderberry syrup. You can store it in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to two months.
Instant Pot option: Put all ingredients except honey in the Instant Pot, seal the lid, and set manually for 9 minutes on high pressure. Vent pressure and strain. When cooled to room temperature, stir in the honey. (Remember we never cook honey)
Dose: Take 1 tablespoon daily for adults and 1 teaspoon daily for children.
There’s no one size fits all for what you should eat. If you would like to talk with me about what is the right diet for you, sign up for a complimentary consultation. Just click on the link to my online calendar to find a good time that works for you.
In health.
