‘Tis the season for sniffles, cough, and just overall yuck! Elderberry Syrup is a definite turn-to remedy to help during these seasons.
Elderberry is good at boosting your immune system. Elderberries are known as an immune modulator—meaning they help in balancing (and strengthening) your immune system. This is especially helpful during the cold and flu season.
I’ve linked to all the items you can get online. So here it is!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup of dried Elderberries
- 2 cups of Raw Honey (but buy local if possible because local is best)
- ¼ cup Lemon juice
- 4 cups water
- Essential Oils (optional, if you add essential oils I would consider Thieves)
This is your foundation. The next items are for added benefits—adjust measurements to your desired taste. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take out—so start with less.
- 2.5 tbs ginger, grated
- 1.5 tsp cinnamon (if you use sticks, use one stick per tsp, so two in this case)
- 1 tsp ground cloves
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add Elderberries and water to a pot.
- Add the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves if desired.
Simmer for 15 minutes
- Strain, return liquid to the bowl. Disregard the elderberries.
- Add honey to the liquid when it’s not super hot so you don’t cook out the super extra healthy properties out of the honey. If you can touch it tolerably, it’s perfect. You want it just warm enough to melt the honey.
Store in your Amber Jars and put them in the fridge. This should last you for about 6 months in your fridge. It will last a shorter time if you use less raw honey.
Take 1 tsp as needed, I would suggest twice a day when using as a preventative during cold and flu season and 1 tsp every 4 to 6 hours when fighting something.
Health benefits of elderberries
- Immune boosting.
- Fights against bacterial and viral infections. (source)
- Reduce the symptoms and duration of a cold or the flu
- Helps relieve sinus infections. (source)
- Has anti-inflammatory properties. (source)
- Has anti-carcinogenic properties. (source)
- Eases symptoms of allergies
- High in antioxidants. (source)
- Loaded with Vitamin A and C
Black elderberry extracts and flower infusions have been shown to reduce the severity and length of influenza. (source)
Fights harmful bacteria: Elderberry has been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria like Helicobacter pylori and may improve symptoms of sinusitis and bronchitis. (source)
For further reading on elderberries, check out this article on Health Line.
