Homemade Elderberry Syrup
When the flu season hits, it can hit HARD. That's why I take preventative action to keep it out of my home by whipping up some Homemade Elderberry Syrup. This is super healthy and really helps boost the immune system.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup dried elderberries
- 3 ½ cups of water
- 2 Tbsp fresh or dried ginger root powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- ½ tsp whole cloves or clove powder
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Pour water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves (do not add honey yet, because the heat will destroy many of its medicinal benefits).
- Bring to a boil and then cover (with the lid slightly cracked so steam can come out as it reduces) and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
- At that point, remove from heat and let cool enough to be handled.
- Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
- When it is no longer hot, add 1 cup of honey and stir well.
- When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a pint-sized mason jar or 16-ounce glass bottle of some kind (I used an old dressing bottle).
- Store Homemade Elderberry Syrup in the fridge, it will last several months!
Notes
I also use Homemade Elderberry Syrup to make my Healthy Gummies for Colds, Flu, and Sleep. My kids LOVE them!
Usage:
- The standard dose is 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp for kids and 1/2 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults.
- If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.
- Also, it tastes great on pancakes or ice cream!