How to make Elderberry Syrup
There are many species of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra). To keep it simple if you don't know the variety you have or are picking from the wild (wildcrafting), make sure your berries are dark purple, NOT RED. Red berries should not be consumed. Elderberry tea, syrup or extract is the number one herb you should consume during the winter months. They help to protect and boost the immune system during the cold and flu season. Elder helps to prevent colds and flu and also have been know to shorten the duration of the flu if contracted. They help the body to release toxins by stimulating some of the organs of elimination. Elder is also is helpful for conditions such as headaches, respiratory infections, and sore throat. The berries properties are anticatarrhal, antioxidants, antiviral, anti-inflammaory, immunomodulating, decongestant, and restorative.
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Recipe
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 3 1/2 cups distilled or purified water
- 2 teaspoons ginger root powder (2 Tablespoons optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 2 whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon clove powder
- honey to taste (or equal parts of elderberry juice and honey to preserve for up to one year)
- Place the herbs and water into a medium size pot and bring to a boil. Optional: (You can soak the berries the night before in the water before cooking).
- Once it boils, turn the heat down and simmer for 30-45 minutes with the cover off, or until the contents are half reduced, to make a more concentrated syrup.
- Remove the pot from the heat, mash the berries and allow to cool enough to handle.
- Strain the mixture through a fine cheesecloth or handkerchief, pressing out as much juice as you can.
- At this point, you can add honey to taste. Note: If you add equal parts of honey as you have elderberry juice you can store it for up to a year. Otherwise the elderberry syrup will not last that long. Elderberry is very easy to make, so you can make it as you need it and use it up quickly.
- Pour your syrup into a glass container with a lid. Label your container, and date it.
- Store it in the refrigerator.
- For children: Take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon every 2-3 times a day.
- For adults: Take 1 to 2 Tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
Elderberry should be avoided if experiencing dehydration as it is a diuretic. The berries have purgative and emetic properties so should not be taken in excess. Do not consume the red berries due to toxicity. Children under the age of two should not consume honey.