Immune Boosting Elderberry Syrup for Healthy Living
Elderberries are an amazing Immune booster. There are several ways you can reap the benefits of them including hot tea, tinctures and syrups. I love making an elderberry syrup in the fall as the kids return to school. It seems like everyone is fighting something off by the time October rolls around. I make a quart in September and start taking a spoonful every day and, honestly, I hardly ever get sick.
Immune Boosting Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
First, consider using all organic ingredients to avoid any chance of pesticide buildup. You definitely don’t want to be taking a spoonful of those everyday!
Elderberries are a great source of vitamin C as well as antioxidants. I include rose hips in my syrup because they too are an amazing source of vitamin C. In fact, during WWII both the American and British governments actively promoted the use of rose hips to boost vitamin C level. Ginger root is a powerful anti-inflammatory and helps reduce joint pain frequently felt with cold and flu viruses. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with congestion and coughs. Cinnamon is well known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits. Cloves contain important nutrients including magnesium, something many people are low in. They are high in antioxidants, kill bacterial and help regulate blood sugar. And of course, raw honey is full of health benefits. It contains over 22 amino acids, a wide variety of minerals and vitamins and has over 30 polyphenols which are responsible for fighting free radicals. Make sure you are using raw honey and not pasteurized honey to get the health benefits. Also, buying local honey is always best. And remember, children under the age of one should not consume honey!
How to make Elderberry Syrup
Combine 1 1/2 C elderberries, 1/2 C rose hips, 3 tsp ginger root, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp cloves and 4 C filtered water in a heavy bottom pot and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for one hour.
Add 1 cup raw honey and stir. Store in a sterilized quart jar in the refrigerator.
For the printable directions access the recipe card below.
Don’t want to source ingredients yourself? Purchase my organic elderberry making kit in my store front ( HERE)
How to make Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry Syrup is great for immune boosting during times of illness or fatigue. The addition of Rose Hips add a large vitamin C boost. Cinnamon, Cloves and Ginger are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Dosage: Adults take one tablespoon daily as preventive care and 3-4 times a day at the onset of symptoms to shorten the length of the illenss. Children take one teaspoon. * Children under one should not consume honey.*
Storage and shelf life: Store in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks or may freeze for 4-6 months. Remember if freezing in glass jar is needs to be freezer safe.
Materials
- Organic Dried Elderberry ( 1 1/2 - 2 Cups)
- Organic Dried Ginger Root ( 3 tsp)
- Organic Sweet Cinnamon Sticks (2 sticks)
- Organic Dried Cloves (1 tsp)
- Organic Dried Rose Hips ( 1/2 - 1 Cup)
- Filtered Water ( 4 Cups)
- Raw Honey (1 Cup minimum) * Can substitute organic maple syrup
- Note* The amount of honey needed may vary based on how much liquid you have after straining. You want to half at least half the amount of liquid to honey. For example if you have two cups elderberry liquid then you will need one cup raw hone)
Tools
- Large pot
- Spoon
- Sieve and/or cheesecloth for straining
- Sterilized glass container
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and bring to boil
- Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes to reduce
- Remove from heat and let steep 1 hour
- Strain using serve or cheesecloth Discard used herbs and spices
- Add Honey and stir (* Honey ratio should be half the volume of liquid after simmer to extend shelf life)
- Bottle in a sterilized glass container
- Store in refrigerator
Notes
Disclaimer: Red Sky Homestead is not responsible for any individual’s use of our products. Each person’s response to herbs may differ. Consult a qualified health care practitioner or herbalist for guidance.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
