Are you looking into making a wellness kit for your family? One thing I highly recommend is Elderberry Syrup.
There are so many benefits to elderberry syrup and it is incredibly easy to make!
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This is not medical advice and I am not a doctor. You should do your own research and consult your doctor before taking any form of vitamin or supplement.
Because this recipe contains honey, DO NOT give this elderberry syrup recipe to children under the age of 1 year old. Honey is dangerous to children under the age of 1 year old.
Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
In this elderberry syrup recipe, there are 5 main ingredients: elderberries, rose hips, cinnamon sticks, raw honey and filtered water. The quality of each ingredient is important because it determines how “effective” your syrup will be. Each ingredient has its own benefits.
Elderberries
Elderberry is a fruit that is most commonly used for treating cold and flu symptoms. If taken regularly, it is also used as a preventative to keep you healthy during cold and flu season.
Benefits:
- high in vitamin c
- high in dietary fiber
- high in antioxidants
- fights bacteria
- supports the immune system
- plus more!
These things can pack a punch when taken properly.
Rose Hips
Rose hips are the pseudo-fruit of the rose plant. They are found just below the rose petals and are typically red or orange.
Benefits:
- high in antioxidants
- high in vitamin c
- supports a healthy immune system
- may reduce inflammation
- plus more!
These can be made into teas, soups, jams/jellies, desserts, etc.
Cinnamon Sticks
Cinnamon sticks are the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum.
Benefits:
- high in antioxidants
- anti-inflammatory
- may prevent bacterial and fungal infections
- anti-viral properties
- plus more!
Ceylon (true cinnamon) is the best type of cinnamon with the most benefits.
Cassia (cinnamon commonly found at local grocery stores) can become toxic when consumed in large amounts. Yikes!
Raw Honey
Raw honey is unpasteurized, which means there was no heat used to kill any of the good bacteria.
Benefits:
- high in antioxidants
- high in vitamins and minerals
- antibacterial and antifungal
- high in phytonutrients
- aids in digestive issues
- may improve upper respiratory infections
- plus more!
Local, raw honey is the best because the honey has the benefits tailored to your area. Meaning if you have really bad seasonal allergies because of certain plants in your area, honey made from bees in the same area will contain tiny amounts of pollen from that plant and will act like a “honey vaccine” to help prevent those allergies. Pretty neat!
Filtered Water
I personally use a Berkey filtration system and have for about 3 years now. If you’ve been looking for a great quality water system, I highly recommend.
Benefits:
- Chlorine free
- fluoride free
- Removal of heavy metals
- pathogenic bacteria free
- inorganic material free
- among many more things
Your filtered water will have more or less benefits depending on what type of filtered system you have. For this section, I’m mainly talking about my own personal Berkey filtration system.
Risks of Elderberries
Don’t get me wrong, I think elderberries are an amazing thing to take for the health benefits, BUT you have to ingest them properly.
You can NOT ingest raw elderberries. They are poisonous! When elderberries are raw, they contain the toxin, cyanide.
It is incredibly important that you cook elderberries before consuming them.
I personally but dehydrated elderberries, which means they go through a cooking process before I get them, then I cook them a second time when making my elderberry syrup.
Things You’ll Need
Tools required
Ingredients you’ll need
I get my herbal supplements from Bulk Herb Store. This is my favorite place to get herbal supplements, teas, soaps, etc. The prices are great and the quality is outstanding!
Directions
In a pot combine water, elderberries, rose hips and cinnamon sticks.
Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes. This is to ensure the elderberries are fully cooked through and everything had time to steep.
Remove from heat and cool until it’s only slightly warm to the touch. This step is important because you’ll add the raw honey and you don’t want to kill all of the good bacteria living inside of the honey!
Once cooled, add the honey and stir until it has dissolved.
Strain your elderberry syrup into your glass bottle.
Make sure it has cooled completely before storing in your fridge. This will store up to 3 months.
That’s it! It’s almost as simple as a “dump and go” recipe.
Dosage
Daily: 1 T. for adults, 1 t. for children over the age of 1 year.
When sick: 1 T. every 3 hours for adults, 1 t. every 3 hours for children over the age of 1 year.
What are some ways you help you and your family’s immune system during cold and flu season? Comment down below. It may help someone out who is in the thick of sickness in their home!
Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 1 tbsp rose hips
- 3/4 cup raw honey
Instructions
- In a pot combine water, elderberries, rose hips and cinnamon sticks.
- Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes. This is to ensure the elderberries are fully cooked through and everything had time to steep.
- Remove from heat and cool until it’s only slightly warm to the touch. This step is important because you’ll add the raw honey and you don’t want to kill all of the good bacteria living inside of the honey!
- Once cooled, add the honey and stir until it has dissolved.
- Strain your elderberry syrup into your glass bottle.
- Make sure it has cooled completely before storing in your fridge. Stores up to 3 months.
Dosage
- Daily: 1 T. for adults, 1 t. daily for children over a year
- When sick: 1 T. every 3 hours for adults, 1 t. every 3 hours for children over a year.
Notes
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