If you’re looking to fight off a cold or flu this season, this Homemade Elderberry Syrup recipe is the way to do it!
It’s one of those old-fashioned home remedies that people have used for centuries. It’s also been accepted in many cultures around the world. Just like your great-grandma may have done, taking elderberry syrup daily can help to stave off a cold of the flu.
We have several more ways to fight flu naturally too!
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
But how does it work? Medical studies have shown that elderberries may have the ability to prevent the spread of a virus in your body. So, your symptoms and the duration of your cold may be greatly reduced if you are using this homemade elderberry syrup recipe daily.
Benefits of Elderberry
Germ fighting isn’t the only benefit of consuming elderberry syrup! Sites like US News report there are actually many good reasons to take the syrup on a daily basis.
- Elderberries also contain a number of vitamins and minerals that everyone needs, including Vitamins A and C, calcium, folate, and iron. They are also an excellent source of fiber.
- These berries also promote good skin health and appearance. Anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant found in elderberries, helps to slow down the skin’s aging process from the inside. It can help improve your skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Studies have also found that elderberry helps to fight cancer and may help lower cholesterol levels.
How to Use Elderberry Syrup
I give my kids 1 teaspoon per day during cold or flu season. If one of them is looking a bit run down or sick, I give them a teaspoon every hour for a day or two.
Adults in the house take 1 tablespoon per day. Also increasing to one every hour if feeling under the weather.
Making Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of Dried Elderberries
- 4 Cups of water
- 1 cup of honey
Directions:
To make, place 1 cup of dried elderberries into a saucepan with 4 cups of water.
Bring to a boil and let simmer for 30-45 minutes. You want to reduce the cooked elderberry “juice” to only 1-2 cups of liquid.
Once it has cooled slightly drain the warm juice from cooked elderberries into a separate container.
Pour your cup of honey into a large glass jar or bowl.
Now pour your warm, but not hot elderberry liquid over your honey and mix well.
Now you can place your homemade elderberry syrup into a sealable container and refrigerate. It should keep well for a couple months.
Recipe Tips
- For an herbal syrup, typically you want a 2:1 or 1:1 Herb to honey ratio. The more honey you have, the longer the syrup will be preserved. Some think the 1:1 ratio is too sweet. You can play with different ratios based on your personal preference.
- You want to use warm, but not hot liquid when mixing your honey and elderberry juice. This helps preserve the good qualities of the honey.
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of Dried Elderberries
- 4 Cups of water
- 1 cup of honey
Instructions
- To make, place 1 cup of dried elderberries into a saucepan with 4 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil and let simmer for 30-45 minutes.
You want to reduce the cooked elderberry “juice” to only 1-2 cups of liquid. - Once it has cooled slightly drain the warm juice from cooked elderberries into a separate container.
- Pour your cup of honey into a large glass jar or bowl.
- Now pour your warm, but not hot elderberry liquid over your honey and mix well.
- Now you can place your elderberry syrup into a sealable container and refrigerate. It should keep well for a couple months.
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