Homemade Elderberry Syrup

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Elderberry syrup helps to prevent (and shorten the duration of) colds and flus. It also is just really great for your immune system, so it has helped me get over a sore throat and the stomach flu as well.

I looked at a couple recipes to create this one. Store the elderberry syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried elderberries
• 2 cups filtered water
• 2 tsp dry (not powder) ginger root
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp whole cloves
• 1/2 cup, raw honey

Elderberry Syrup Method

1. Add all ingredients except for the honey into a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, and then lower heat to medium.
3. Continue simmering for 30-45 minutes until the liquid is reduced to half.
4. Before the liquid cools, strain it through a fine mesh strainer.
5. Allow the liquid to cool to about 118F (to preserve the enzymes in the raw honey), and gently combine the warm reduced berry liquid with the raw honey.
6. Store in a jar in the fridge for a few weeks. For longer storage, freeze into ice cube trays to defrost for later use.

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.


Original recipes & recommended dosage from here and here.