Elderberries have been used for medicinal purposes as far back as 400 BCE and was used by Hippocrates. He referred to the elder trees as his "medicine chest."
Elderberry is a dark purple berry from the European elder tree. Due to its popularity, elderberries can be found in all sorts of food products. From elderberry fruit leathers, jams and syrups to whole elderberries and supplements.
Today we are going to show you a quick and simple way to make elderberry syrup.
Elderberry Syrup Benefits
Elderberry syrup is a fun and tasty recipe you can make at home. While being super yummy and kid approved, elderberries have also been used for centuries to boost one's immune system and protect against outside invaders. Elderberry benefits include*...
- Boosting the immune system
- Can help promote bowel movements
- Filled with antioxidants
- Great for promotion of healthy skin (1)
As you can see there are so many benefits from elderberries. Just giving your immune system that extra boost can make all the difference.
Elderberry syrup is very easy to make and is something that can be done while also doing other household chores. In total, the recipe takes a little over an hour to make but almost all of that will be on the stove with no need to hover over the pot.
This syrup can be used in hot teas, on pancakes, or even on ice cream! It is a great way to have your kids get an immune boost while also having a delicious snack.
Now let's get into the recipe!
DISCLAIMER: Do not eat raw elderberries.
“Raw elderberries are known to be toxic, the seeds contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside, which can cause a buildup of cyanide in the body and make you quite ill. Cooking elderberries releases this toxin making them perfectly safe.” (2)
The ingredients you’re going to need for this are:
- Dried, fresh or frozen elderberries.(I used dried, and got them From Mountain Rose Herbs)
- Water (this will boil off by about half)
- Raw honey
- Fresh ginger (this will also help with the immune boosting properties of elderberry and act as a catalyst)
- Cinnamon sticks
- and cloves.
See below for amounts and measurements.
You can use whatever spices you prefer and whatever amount you prefer. I used the above and it turned out great!
First, you're going to add your water, elderberries, and spices to a saucepan
Next, you're going to bring that to a boil and then let it simmer for an hour or until it has reduced by half.
Now you're going to want to use a fine mesh sieve to strain the liquid from the leftover elderberries and spices. Make sure to use the back of a wooden spoon to push any extra juice out of the berries
Finally, mix in the honey and you're done! You can also use maple syrup or agave for any dietary restrictions or allergies.
This recipe is great for kids who tend to have a hard time with traditional medicine but can also be used as a daily immune booster to keep your body strong during the cold months. Not only that, you know what's going into it! This is made from all healthy and natural ingredients that you and your family will love.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe:
Print Recipe- ¾ cup dry, fresh or frozen elderberries
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup raw honey, maple syrup or agave
- 3 slices ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 cloves
Add elderberries, water, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn down to low. Let simmer for one hour or until the liquid reduces by half. Take off the heat and use a fine mesh sieve to strain the berries and spices from the juice. Add one cup of sweetener of choice, mix until combined. Then put the syrup into a jar for storage, keep it in the fridge and it will last for up to six months!
Summary
Elderberry syrup is a fantastic natural way to not only boost your immune system but can give you other benefits as well. In only an hour you can make a powerful immune-boosting and delicious syrup with amazing medicinal value!
Check out our Elderberry Capsules!
