DIY Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Several years ago I learned about elderberry syrup and it has been a staple of my wellness cabinet ever since.Research shows that…? Elderberry has antioxidant and antiviral effects.

? Taking 15 ml of elderberry syrup 4x a day improved flu symptoms 4 days faster.

? Taking 175 mg of elderberry 4x a day improved symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, and nasal congestion.

? People who take elderberry before traveling reported less severe symptoms and for a shorter duration of time.

Sambucol is the brand I used before I learned to make my own. There have been 2 specific research studies conducted with this brand here and here.

However, if you are a DIY type, here’s my recipe. It’s also easy to quadruple this recipe to make a big batch.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup fresh elderberries (half for dried berries)
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 1/4 cinnamon stick

DIRECTIONS  

Remove berries from stems. Add berries and water to a stockpot and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain off berries and cinnamon stick with cheesecloth. Add honey to elderberry juice and mix well. Add to a jar and refrigerate.

NOTES  

1. ​This will yield about 16 ounces.
2. I have successfully kept mine in the fridge for up to 3 months.
3. You can also freeze jars, just leave a little extra room at the top for expansion.
4. A trick to removing the fresh berries is to freeze them, then shake off the berries.
5. Remove as much of the bark/stem as you can but the little straggly stuff is okay.
6. I prefer to make a big batch at once using 4 cups berries (half for dried), 4 cups water, 1 cup honey, 1 cinnamon stick. ​
7. You can also add other immune-boosting agents like clove or goji berries.

WHERE TO BUY  

I am privileged enough to have wild elderberries growing on my parent’s property but you can also buy dried elderberries that have already been removed from the stem. Links below.*

• Dried Elderberries
• Raw Honey – It would be preferred to find local, raw honey (check your farmer’s market)
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Cheese Cloth

DOSAGE  

It is recommended to take 1 Tablespoon per day as preventative maintenance. In times of illness, you can take up to 4 Tablespoons per day.

THE EASY WAY

If you are not the DIY type (or you’d like the easy route) you can check out these options.

• Syrup: https://amzn.to/31wZ1vx
• Gummies: https://amzn.to/2GVMsli
• Make Your Own Pack: https://amzn.to/2KngnVI