Name: ELDERBERRY SYRUP RECIPE: SIMPLE, FRESH AND HOMEMADE!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 200g dried black elderberries; 3 – 4 cups of water; 2 tbsp fresh or dried ginger root; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1 whole clove; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 cup local raw honey

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We’re coming into the cooler months here in Australia and as the seasons change, so do we. Cold and flu season isn’t fun for anyone, especially our littles. And it’s certainly no fun being under the weather as a parent and still expected to run the house at 100%. Cue Homemade Elderberry Syrup!

I first stumbled across Elderberry’s (Sambucus nigra) amazing health benefits last year in a herbal book I’d purchased many moons ago. The flowers and the berries are incredible herbs for preventing and addressing upper respiratory infections like colds and especially the flu. I can’t imagine going through winter without a good supply of these elderberries. Herbal preparations with elderberry are as effective as modern antiviral drugs for the flu but without the risk of adverse effects. This is yet another example that, despite the many advances in modern medicine, herbs continually offer us powerful medicinal tools.

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History of the Elderberry Plant

Elder has a long history of use in Europe. Archaeological explorations have found large numbers of seeds at prehistoric sites, indicating that elders were consumed during the Magdalenian era (9,000 to 17,000 years ago). Among the excavations, ceremonial flint spearheads in the shape of elder leaves were found, giving us an insight that the elder was widely used and highly regarded amongst the people. And still, to this day, elderberry remains an important source of food, medicine and material for many worldwide.

Medicinal Properties and Energetics of Elderberries

Elderberries are powerful medicines, naturally containing vitamins A, B and C. For more than 1,000 years, herbalists have admired elder’s abilities for healing and many important texts include the use of this shrub. While they are most famous for their ability to shorten the duration of the flu, they have many other uses too. These flavonoid-rich berries can regulate inflammation and decrease oxidative stress. Recommendations from herbalists with decades of experience, suggest using elderberries to strengthen the eyes, decrease arthritic pain (a common medical condition) and even as a treatment to shorten the duration of a herpes breakout. I feel the power of elderberries is underrated and while clinical trials have produced very positive results, more research into the effects against infections should be pursued.

How to Use Elderberry

Dried elderberries and elderflowers can be bought commercially. Eating raw elderberries can cause nausea and vomiting when consumed raw, this is due to the hydrocyanic acid (HCN) toxin so it’s best to cook them in water for a minimum of 30 minutes.

The effectiveness of elderberries may only work for around 2 – 3 hours, so dosing regularly with a small amount (10mls for Adults) is important if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms. Making syrup, decoction or gummies are a few of the best methods.

Can kids take Elderberry Syrup?

Elderberry syrup is safe for children to take and they usually love it, especially in the form of gummies!

Note: Children under 1 year old should not consume honey because there is a chance of it containing the spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause infantile botulism. Keep out of reach of small children.

Dosage instructions:
0 – 3 years old 1ml
3 – 6years 2.5ml (¼ of Adult dose)
7 – 12years 5ml (½ of Adult Dose)
12 years + 10ml

Honey vs Sugar

Honey has many useful properties, it’s natural, adds a sweet, delicious taste and will keep in the fridge for 1-2 months. However, most honey has been heat-treated so make sure you can source raw local honey and use jars that have been sterilised (with hot water and dish soap) and allowed to cool completely before storing.

Sugar is a great preservative and can prolong the shelf life of your syrup by up to a year when used in conjunction with sterilised jars. You can always have a bottle ready to go just as you notice any symptoms. Some people prefer the taste of sugar over honey so it comes down to personal choice.

Can I use other ingredients?

You can add a variety of different ingredients that will make a great addition to the syrup:

Cinnamon stick: adds a wonderful warm spicy flavour, and has antiviral and antioxidant properties. Add 2 crushed cinnamon sticks at the start with the elderberries.
Whole Cloves / Clove Essential Oil: provides anti-inflammatory benefits, keeping your body free of inflammation now means less chronic illness and disease later. Cloves are quite potent so add no more than 2 cloves.
Star Anise: one of the most popular pharmacologically relevant attributes of star anise is its shikimic acid content. Shikimic acid is a compound with strong antiviral capabilities.
Fresh Ginger: helps fight the cold virus, warm the body and dispel nausea. Add 1 tbsp at the start with the elderberries.
Licorice Root: contains beneficial compounds like glycyrrhizin, which has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dried Rosemary: known for its anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, it stimulates blood circulation to the brain to ease headaches.
Dried Thyme: has a soothing effect on colds and coughs, thanks to its natural expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ground Black Pepper: increases the absorption of nutrients from other food and aids digestion. Add 1/2 tsp during the boiling process.
Apple Juice: when consumed warmed, it eases nasal congestion and increases mucus flow.
Lemon Juice: high in vitamin C and adds a sweetness to the syrup.

Explore more of my recipes here:

Homemade Elderberry Syrup Ingredients

200g dried black elderberries
3 – 4 cups of water
2 tbsp fresh or dried ginger root
2 cinnamon sticks
1 whole clove
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup local raw honey

Recipe Instructions

Add water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves and lemon juice to a medium-sized saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Once your syrup is at room temperature, mash the elderberries with a spoon to get the juices out.
Strain the liquid into a bowl and add the honey, stirring until it’s dissolved. (If you’re using essential oils, add them in this step).
Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator

Notes

If you prefer using essential oils, add 2 drops each of cinnamon, clove and lemon.
To make this baby-friendly, substitute the honey with maple syrup or chia seeds; add 1 tbsp until you get the desired consistency. Remember to keep the honey version out of reach of children.
Your leftover elderberries can be given to your chickens or go straight into the compost.

And there you have it, high-quality, natural elderberry syrup free from artificial flavours and better than any store-bought version! It’s one of the best ways to keep you and your family going throughout winter.

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