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.