Making Your Elderberry Syrup

Last night, I did not feel well. A good night’s sleep (sort of? If nursing while sleeping is considered restful?) and a dose of elderberry syrup was my solution.

My head hit the pillow hard. Praying the flu would not slow me down me (as it hit our home 2 weeks ago), I could only imagine caring for my seven children from the bathroom floor. This was not a good vision in my head. Then this morning , still not feeling well,  I quickly took two more tablespoons of my homemade elderberry syrup.

I’m happy to report that so far, I’m feeling better and I do believe the credit goes to that precious little bottle of elderberry syrup sitting on my counter.

Elderberries are incredible! With more study into herbs and natural medicine, I am positively amazed at all God created to meet our needs.

And this elderberry syrup is amazing. It is created from the elderberry, which not only  lower cholesterol, improves vision, boosts the immune system, it also improves heart health, helps ease coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. In Israel, it is amazingly used for treating cancer and AIDS patients as it stimulates the body’s immune system. This berry is used for sinus pain, back, leg pain and even chronic fatigue. Elderberries are bursting with Vitamins A,B, and C. They are an incredible berry that so wonderfully can help your body and aid in good health.

{Please note, they are poisonous raw and must be cooked to be used safely!}

Here is the recipe to make your own Elderberry Syrup. (Taken from Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes):

1 cup of fresh or 1/2 cup of dried elderberries
3 cups of water
1 cup of honey or organic cane sugar

Place the berries in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reducing heat, and simmer for half an hour or so.

Smash up the berries and strain the mixture through a strainer, adding 1 cup of honey (or adjusting to taste).

Store in a jar and it will keep for 3 months. You may keep it in the fridge but I keep mine in the cold pantry. Take a few times a week to boost your immune system. If you are like me – busy and forget to take it! – take it immediately on the onset of feeling unwell. I give it to my children, as well – it is quite a scrumptious syrup so it is not hard to persuade the girls to take their spoonful. However, if one fusses, I put the syrup in their water and they drink it down that way.

 

I am just about to get take my next dose – because moms just can’t get sick, right?
Right.
P.S. I have been asked where one would find elderberries if they are not able to be grown in your yard. I have updated this post with proper links. It may seem expensive to purchase needed herbs but remember, you will be able to make quite a few batches from one purchase of your berries. I have made this for two years in a row – from the same source of berries. One bottle of pre-made elderberry syrup would cost nearly the same as a purchasing bulk herbs, which will last much longer.
March 3, 2016 - 6:32 pm

Sandra Hey Gillian,

Thought you should know that you can also make elderberry gummies for any kiddos who don’t like the syrup.
http://wellnessmama.com/4599/flu-busting-gummy-bears/

Worth a try!
Sandra

March 2, 2016 - 12:20 pm

Samantha Erin Feel better Gillian! Learned something new about elderberries!
I believe you use essential oils – Thieves, Purification, R.C. and Ginger are all fabulous choices this time of year 🙂

March 2, 2016 - 12:58 am

Maike Thank you for sharing and I hope you feel better by tomorrow. I don’t really like the artificial pills and all and am very much into herbal natural substitutions but I haven’t found anything that helps fast. So last time after a couple of days I went back to buying pills instead. I would be very interested if you find more herbal recipes that work very well, and if this sirup works, I’m very excited to use that and get away from artificials. 🙂