Homemade Simple Elderberry Syrup to Boost Immunity

Boost your family’s immunity with this simple and effective natural remedy that you can make on your stove. Keep a bottle of this easy and simple homemade elderberry syrup in the fridge for flu season or better yet, all year long. The health benefits of elderberries are worth your 30-minute investment in the kitchen. 

Elderberry syrup wasn’t around when I was a kid. To be honest, preventative care and natural remedies weren’t really a thing growing up.

You just dealt with the colds as they came and never put any effort into figuring out why they happened so frequently or if there were any steps you could take to lessen the frequency of illnesses.  

Nowadays, products like elderberry syrup, vitamin C, and zinc lozenges fill the vitamin isles promising you relief.

Most people I know give their kids elderberry gummies along with their daily vitamin each morning, or at least through the winter months in hopes to build up their immune system and keep colds away. 

Parents everywhere are desperate to rid their families of reoccurring illnesses. That’s where elderberries come in. They are all-natural and have been proven to positively build your immune system. It’s the perfect time to start making this household staple.

What are Elderberries?

Elderberries come from the Sambucus tree typically found in Europe. The berry itself is pretty sour and is used to make pies, wine, and jelly. They have also been a staple of folk medicine for thousands of years.  

What’s the Hype All About?

Does elderberry syrup really work? Or is it just another fad? Well, the good news is that elderberry in fact does do what it promises, according to research. These magnificent berries have twice the amount of vitamin C as an orange and 3 times the amount of antioxidants of blueberries.

They contain a good amount of polyphenols and bioflavonoids, too. They are a superfood and have been around since the Middle Ages.

​The Benefits of Elderberry

I don’t know about you but I would rather spend twenty dollars on a bag of dried elderberries in hopes of building my family’s immune system rather than paying for expensive doctor’s visits. To me, it’s a no-brainer to splurge on the extra cost of making the syrup.

I want to share how these miracle berries have changed our health. The benefits I have noticed since consistently taking elderberry are noticeable. Our colds are very mild and only last a few days, as well as our family, only gets 1-2 colds a year, if that. 

I am impressed by the power these berries have on our immune system and I am convinced that they make an impact on my family’s health and wellbeing. What a wonderful home remedy to have on hand any time of year. 

What are the Benefits of Homemade Elderberry Syrup?

These berries are a great source of nutrients that help strengthen our immune system. Let’s look at the benefits.

They are used as a laxative to help relieve constipation. To me, there’s nothing better than eating a natural berry that helps to keep my body regular, rather than taking a supplement. 

They are an effective cold remedy by reducing the length and severity of a common cold. Why not give it a try before rushing to the store to grab a box of NyQuil? Natural is always better.

They act as a powerful antioxidant. Just like blueberries and strawberries are known for their antioxidant properties, elderberries have even more. It’s great for general immune support all year long.

Are There Any Side Effects From Consuming Elderberry Syrup?

There are a few things to note about these berries.

Elderberries should never be eaten raw. In other words, you should avoid fresh elderberries. They need to be cooked before consumption.

They may interfere with some medications. This is because this berry acts like a diuretic. You should always consult with your doctor to see if this is right for you. 

If you have diabetes, you should consult with a health care provider before ingesting. 

Where to Purchase High-Quality Dried Elderberries

Almost every health food store, grocery store, Target, or even Amazon sells elderberry syrup in some form. It’s actually pretty easy to find and purchase.

While simply consuming elderberry syrup should be the main priority no matter if it is from your stovetop or the grocery store, homemade syrup is always the better route. But, no judgments here. Do what you can.

Homemade or store-bought? Is there a difference? Like most products, it’s always a cleaner and safer bet to make your own elderberry syrup, if possible. Who knows what your vitamins are really made up of? 

Are you truly getting 100% elderberry from your store-bought syrup? Probably not. At a minimum, there are natural flavors, natural colors, sugar, and most likely citric acid. Compare that to your own elderberry and you get zero of those ingredients listed above.

The Ingredient List

You guys, this is such an easy recipe. Just grab the basic ingredients, throw everything into a pot over the stove, and thirty minutes later you’ve got yourself homemade elderberry syrup without the junk!

Grab a piece of paper and jot down the ingredients you will need for this simple recipe.

Organic wild elderberries: I typically purchase them from Amazon for around $20-$25 dollars. The bag allows me to make 4 jars of syrup which lasts me about 4 months. Also, store the open bag of dried berries in the fridge between batches to help keep them fresh.

Filtered water: I highly recommend using filtered water instead of kitchen sink water. I prefer to use water from my countertop Berkey system. As always, you do do.

Cinnamon sticks: I find mine at Sprouts or Whole Foods. Make sure to go with organic brands. Do not use ground cinnamon for this homemade elderberry syrup recipe. 

Fresh ginger: Thanks to this superfood root for the additional antioxidants. You will only use a small amount and fortunately, the flavor is not too strong and you can hardly notice it in the syrup.

Organic blueberries: My favorite blueberries are frozen “Organic Wild Blueberries” from Trader Joe’s. Fresh berries could work, too. Adding these superfood berries to the syrup is a great way to add additional benefits. 

Honey: Local raw honey is always the best option. If not, make sure it’s labeled “raw” and “organic”. You can definitely skip this part if you are looking to remove the sugar content or if you are vegan. While this brings a little bit of sweetness to the syrup, it also has healing properties that only make the syrup better for you! 

The Instructions

I wasn’t kidding about how easy it is to make. Check this out.

Step one: Start with peeling your ginger and exposing the inside of the root. Cut the piece into smaller chunks.  

Step two: Place the ginger, blueberries, elderberries, cinnamon sticks, and filtered water into a pot on the stove.  

Step three: Start on medium-high heat until you reach a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Allow the berries to cook at a low temperature for about 15 minutes with the lid on.

Step four: Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool for about thirty minutes.  

Step five: Transfer and strain the mixture into a large mason jar or airtight container. Add the honey, add the lid, give it a big shake, and then allow it to cool to room temperature.  

Then, store it in the fridge. Easy peasy!

How Long Will It Last?

As long as you store the syrup in the fridge, it will last you a few weeks. The shelf life of one batch of elderberry syrup is roughly 3 weeks. 

How Much Elderberry Syrup Should You Consume?

Now you’ve got your homemade elderberry in the fridge, what’s next?

I like to use it in our morning smoothies. I make one large smoothie and split it between the four of us. I place 2 tablespoons of syrup in the blender with the fruit, greens, chia seeds, and liquid. Blend that all up and your kids will never know about that hidden super liquid that they are slurping up. (Don’t you love little, healthy tricks like that)? This smoothie is consumed by every member of my family, almost every single day!

While making my morning smoothie, I also like to take one spoonful. Nothing like a fresh shot of this all-natural supplement to hit my body first thing in the morning! It’s honestly one of the best natural ways to reap the benefits. 

When our family is sick or starts to come down with runny noses or sore throats, I like to add additional spoonfuls throughout the day. I’ll add a spoonful to their drink at lunch and dinner. I also have some friends that make a gummy version and my kids enjoy those! 

A Little Side Note About Elderberry Syrup

While elderberry works well for our family, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor first. Elderberry studies have shown true health benefits from this berry but at the same time, more research is needed for even more information on the benefits and possible side effects! 

Tips + Modifications

Technically, you can swap out the honey for maple syrup. However, honey has properties that assist in the healing process of colds. I recommend honey. If this is your first time making the syrup, play around with the amount of honey you prefer.

You can pour the elderberry into ice cube trays and freeze them for up to 2 months. Once you are ready to enjoy them, you can thaw one cube until it turns to liquid or place it in a small cup of hot water and sip it like tea.

Whole cloves are a great optional addition to the syrup if you are interested.  

Enjoy!

XOXO

Michelle