Who has time to be sick with so much sewing to complete? This fabulous natural remedy will keep you healthy so you can get back to your sewing projects.
Last year when the flu was taking over Austin I made a flu tonic that kept my family from getting the flu. It really worked, but it didn’t taste so great.
While the flu raged, I did some research and discovered that Elderberry Syrup can prevent colds and the flu naturally. Since discovering a variety of Elderberry Syrup Recipes, I’ve been perfecting the process and we’ve been taking it regularly.
Prior to discovering Elderberry Syrup, I had never heard about this amazing little berry. So, exactly what is an elderberry? It is a blue-purple fruit found on a wild shrub that is native to the United States. Recently, I planted an elderberry bush because they grow naturally in Texas and are a part of the honeysuckle family. I can’t wait to use my own elderberries someday soon and will add a photo once the bush starts producing.
Exactly how does it prevent colds and the flu? Simply, it prevents an enzyme used by the virus to spread infection from attaching to cells in our body. If the virus can’t travel through your cells, then it’s toast. {It’s a little more science-y than my explanation, but these berries really are a natural way to stay healthy.}
Why is Elderberry Syrup so effective? Elderberries can reduce inflammation and give a boost to the immune system. Because it’s natural, Elderberry Syrup does not have any side effects ~ unlike Tamiflu which can have some severe side effects.
You can purchase Elderberry Syrup on Amazon or at a local health food store. It’s pretty pricey for something you may want to take daily during cold and flu season. Which is why I make my own (you knew this already) and I am going to share this simple recipe with you.
First, you are going to need some elderberries. I purchase these organic freeze-dried elderberries on Amazon. (affiliate) This 1 lb. bag and will last a long time if stored in the freezer.
The other ingredient that you will want to get is raw unfiltered honey. If you have a local source for raw unfiltered honey, that would be best. **NOTE: If you plan to give this to children under 1 year of age, DO NOT use honey as a sweetener, try coconut sugar instead.
- ½ C. Organic Dried Elderberries
- 3½ C. Distilled Water
- 1 Organic Cinnamon Stick
- 1 Small piece of Ginger
- ½ C. Raw Unfiltered Honey or Coconut Sugar
- Bring the elderberries, water, and spices to a boil. {Do not add the sweetener, yet}
- Turn down the heat and simmer on the stove for 30 minutes.
- Strain off and discard the elderberries and spices.
- Allow to cool before blending in honey. If you add the honey to the hot mixture too soon it will destroy the honey's beneficial enzymes.
- Once cool, add honey and stir until well blended.
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge.
- ½ C. Organic Dried Elderberries
- 3½ C. Distilled Water
- 1 Organic Cinnamon Stick (optional)
- 1 Small piece of Ginger
- ½ C. Raw Unfiltered Honey or Coconut Sugar
- Add all of the ingredients EXCEPT the honey to the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
- Secure and lock the IP lid in place.
- Close the pressure release valve.
- Set to Manual for 20 minutes.
- When done cooking, allow to naturally depressurize.
- Strain off and discard the elderberries and spices
- Allow to cool before blending in honey. If you add to the hot mixture too soon it will destroy the beneficial enzymes in the honey.
- Once cooled, add honey and stir until well blended.
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge.
Elderberry Syrup Dosage
How much Elderberry Syrup should you take? I take 1 T. daily during cold and flu season. If I feel something coming on, I will take another couple of doses during the day. Most people recommend taking smaller doses more often if you are exposed to the flu. It is so safe that it is impossible to overdose on Elderberry Syrup. Of course, use caution and check with your doctor if you plan to give this to a child.
When exposure to colds and viruses means we are likely to get sick, we blend the Flu Tonic with our Elderberry Syrup.
Think of it as a daily flu shot ~ without the unpleasant side effects.
Kim says
October 8, 2013 at 6:36 amI really appreciate all of the information that you give us. I have been making some changes to my diet in order to lose weight and get healthier plus the sewing information. I had a “fatty liver” test result in June and have been working on rectifying that. Thanks! Kim in San Antonio
Irene says
October 8, 2013 at 3:43 pmThank you for this information about the Elderberry and the info on where to buy it. Now if I can find a source of unfiltere honey.
Maria says
October 9, 2013 at 8:23 pmThanks for this recipe -looks great! I planted an elderberry tree this spring; it is still very small, but I am looking forward to harvesting my own berries someday!
Leslie says
October 9, 2013 at 9:34 pmOooh! I’m so jealous! Good luck with your tree!
Holly Lefevre says
October 10, 2013 at 12:16 amI must try this. I love using natural remedies! I need to whip some up and send it to my husband (who lives in Austin).
P.S. I am moving to Austin soon!
Leslie says
October 10, 2013 at 7:28 amWelcome to Austin (and Texas)! The best place on earth!
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says
October 10, 2013 at 7:47 pmThis is great! I love natural health products like this, and even better to make them at home! Pinning this…definitely going to need it this winter!
Caroline says
October 10, 2013 at 9:13 pmThank you for sharing this! I have actually been on a hunt for elderberries! I used to purchase a serum at our local health food store, but they don’t carry it anymore. 🙂
Leslie says
October 11, 2013 at 7:09 amFrontier brand elderberries are available on Amazon in organic or no organic.
Mommy Hiker says
October 10, 2013 at 11:57 pmGreat post! Beautiful pics! Discovered elderberry years ago through my mom and have used it with our first child religiously! I swear by it! Glad I found your blog via the Blog Strut 🙂
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less says
October 11, 2013 at 12:41 pmOoo, I can’t wait to try this. I love a good syrup on my pankcakes and my waffles. Thank you so much for sharing and for linking up to Thrifty Thursday.
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less says
October 11, 2013 at 12:42 pmPancakes*
Vicki says
October 11, 2013 at 3:59 pmHi, Leslie. I just found you on “From The Farm Blog Hop.” I have been willing to pay the high price for elderberry syrup because it is natural, and I believe it has kept my family healthy through flu season. We have elderberries growing in the woods around us and I would love to make my own. Next season I am going to give this a try. Would you know how I could adapt the recipe for using fresh elderberries?
Leslie says
October 11, 2013 at 10:45 pmI’m not absolutely sure, but from what I can tell, use 1 C. of fresh elderberries and reduce the water to 2 cups.
Kristin @ Dizzy Busy Hungry! says
October 11, 2013 at 7:46 pmThanks for stopping by at the Wine’d Down Wednesday and sharing your link!
I am pinning this onto our new WDW Pinterest board. Hope to see you back again next week!
Lisha says
October 13, 2013 at 10:14 pmThis is so helpful – thank you for sharing. I didn’t know you could just buy freeze-dried elderberries – I’m thrilled!
I’m visiting from the Family Fun Friday link-up!
~Lisha 🙂
Lois says
October 16, 2013 at 10:40 pmI have a bag of fresh elderberries in the freezer that I am planning to use for syrup this winter when I will hopefully have time to prepare them. 😉 Right now I am crazy busy with soap for the Christmas season.
April says
October 19, 2013 at 6:41 amHi there! Wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your recipe for Elderberry Syrup and have chosen it as one of my favorites from last week’s Saturday Spotlight blog hop. It’s been featured on this week’s blog hop which started at 9pm EST on Friday, and was PINed to my Pinterest page. Thanks so much for linking up! Looking forward to seeing what you have to share next time.
April
Leslie says
October 20, 2013 at 10:14 amAwesome!
Terri Hughes says
October 20, 2013 at 4:51 pmThanks for the recipe, so much better that having to take medicine, which doesn’t help. My mother made jelly out of elderberries, when we were little. Sure do miss her jelly, it was great. Thanks again!
Mary says
September 16, 2016 at 5:25 pmHi. This looks great and I’d love to try it. I don’t have an instant pot. Whatever that is. Are there modified instructions for cooking this in a standard t? Thanks!
Leslie says
September 16, 2016 at 5:43 pmThe instructions include both methods. The first recipe is for the stovetop. The second recipe is for the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
Karen says
November 29, 2016 at 12:30 pmMy elderberries arrived and I’m finally ready to try this recipe. How much is a “small” piece of ginger?
Leslie says
November 29, 2016 at 1:46 pmAbout 1-2″ of a medium-sized piece of ginger.
Beth says
January 13, 2017 at 1:45 pmJust shared this on my FB author page. Thanks for sharing the Instant Pot version. I’m all about saving time by using that gem!
Karen says
September 9, 2017 at 7:03 pmHi Leslie, I have a bottle of Simply Organic ground ginger, could I use that in place of the fresh ginger?
Leslie says
September 11, 2017 at 6:20 amYep. I do this all the time if I’m out of fresh ginger. Just go easy – start with 1/2 teaspoon and see if you like the taste.
Bethany McAtee says
September 21, 2017 at 7:10 amThanks for the Instant Pot Recipe. Just a heads up that Elderberries do have a “side-effect”. They activate cytokines as their mechanism of action which is not a bad thing neccessarily. But when taken to much or too often can create a cytokine “storm” which can cause a systemic inflammatory response. So, I recommend taking at the first sign of illness or exposure to illness. Or some people will take for 5 days on then take the weekends off. Never take close to vaccine exposure as vaccines also cause cytokine storms.
Leslie says
September 22, 2017 at 7:06 amThanks for sharing this information.
Julie says
December 29, 2017 at 1:46 pmDo I have to use distilled water?
Leslie says
January 1, 2018 at 9:29 pmNo, I use spring water.
Courtney says
January 20, 2018 at 10:29 amI’m planning on making this today! Do you have any tips on if it’s possible to can the syrup to store in the cabinet until I open it? I’m worried about damaging the honey enzymes if I try to can it.
Leslie says
January 20, 2018 at 6:44 pmI recommend keeping it refrigerated.
Kathy Scollan says
January 30, 2018 at 11:17 amI would love to make this syrup, but I am allergic to honey and fructose so I cannot use any type of sugar. Would this syrup still be beneficial without the honey/sugar?
Trilby Bias says
March 22, 2018 at 2:11 pmHow much does this recipe yield? If refrigerated, how long will the syrup last?
Leslie says
March 24, 2018 at 4:46 pmIt depends. If you make it on the stove you will lose some to evaporation. If you make it in the Instant Pot, you get back almost all of the liquid you add.
Trilby Bias says
March 25, 2018 at 10:48 amIf refrigerated, how long will the syrup last?
Elizabeth says
April 5, 2018 at 8:13 amHow long does it last in the fridge?
Leslie says
April 7, 2018 at 5:50 pmIt’s good for a month.
Jennifer says
August 10, 2018 at 10:01 amMaking this again today! My boys seem to be coming down with something so I think I need more on hand. Tried something different this time and added a tsp of turmeric and a dash of Cheyenne pepper. Fingers crossed it turns out just as good as usual!
Leslie says
August 10, 2018 at 4:35 pmHmmm. I like the way you think. I may try this on my next batch.