How to Make Elderberry Syrup

Learn how to make elderberry syrup to stay well and keep your immune system boosted. Elderberry syrup benefits overall wellness, the heart, and can even help with inflammation. Dried elderberries can be made into a delicious syrup to help prevent and protect during cold and flu season.

I love to use natural remedies in my home to help during times of cold, flu. With the recent outbreak of the corona-19 virus, we have been upping our elderberry intake.

While everyone was stocking up on toilet paper, I was stocking up my natural medicine cabinet. I may be sorry about that later. Ha! But really, I can’t have enough elderberries and essential oils during this time as they can be very beneficial for boosting the immune system. 

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WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN MY NATURAL MEDICINE CABINET

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ESSENTIAL OILS

I make sure my medicine cabinet is always stocked with the top 10 oils that I use for making my immune-boosting roller bottle, which we use a lot of when we aren’t feeling our best. 

Learn more about essential oils and their benefits with my free class.

GARLIC

Garlic is a natural antibiotic and can be very effective at killing bad bacteria, viruses, and boosting the immune system. I keep fresh garlic, garlic pills, and liquid garlic on hand for when we are exposed or not feeling well. 

We use garlic for ear infections and when we want to boost our immune systems naturally. 

ELDERBERRIES

 Elderberries are loaded with vitamins A, B, and C making it great for stimulating the immune system and keeping us healthy throughout the winter. 

HAND SANITIZER 

I also make a bottle of my hand sanitizing spray for my husband to take to work and one for my purse. We also keep an extra bottle of hand sanitizer gel to have on hand while we are out and about. 

As always, be sure to be drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet. These things can be crucial for staying well. 

HOW TO MAKE ELDERBERRY SYRUP 

Making elderberry syrup is very easy to do! You can buy it, but it is much cheaper to make your own. It is best to use local elderberries if you have access to them. If not, you can purchase dried elderberries on Amazon. 

You will need essential oils or dried spices and herbs, raw honey, filtered water, and dried elderberries. Just like it is best to use local dried elderberries, it is also best to use local raw honey. 

Thankfully, we live close to an Amish community that sells local raw honey. If you don’t have a source close to you, this honey is my favorite. 

You won’t need any fancy tools to make elderberry syrup. All you will need is a pot and a strainer. That’s it friends. 

ELDERBERRY SYRUP FOR TODDLERS 

I am a mom of 4; I love to use my blog as a place to share my personal experiences, research, and resources. As always, consult with a doctor before trying anything new with your own kids. Personally, I give elderberry syrup to all 4 of my children. I use elderberry syrup almost daily during cold and flu season and right now as our world is experiencing a pandemic.

This elderberry syrup recipe is made with honey, so it is not safe for babies under the age of 1. If you want to give a younger child elderberry syrup, you can buy a syrup made without honey. Or you can substitute the honey for maple syrup or molasses. 

When I have a nursing baby under the age of one, I make sure to be taking my daily dose so the baby can get it through my milk.  

My kids love the taste of elderberry syrup and rarely let me forget to give them their daily dose. I have also made elderberry gummy bears, which they absolutely love. 

HOW MUCH ELDERBERRY SYRUP SHOULD I TAKE? 

If we are sick or been exposed to sickness, we will take elderberry syrup multiple times a day. If we are just trying to prevent and keep our immune system boosted, we will take it once a day. 

Children can take one teaspoon and adults can take one tablespoon. 

During the cooler months, we take elderberry syrup 5 days a week and take off two. 

ELDERBERRY BENEFITS 

Elderberries naturally contain vitamins A, B, and C and stimulate the immune system.  They boost the immune system to protect against bacterial infections and viruses.  During cold and flu season, I make elderberry syrup for everyone in my family. This syrup is delicious and makes it easy to get the immune-supporting benefits of elderberries.

• Powerful immune booster 
• Fights against cold and flu 
• Clear skin and helps with acne 
• Anti-aging, reduce wrinkles and fine line
• Supports a healthy digestive system 
• Reduce inflammation 
• Prevent infections, viral and bacterial
• Improve joint and muscle pains
• Protect the heart
• Reduce stress 
• High in vitamins and antioxidants 

ELDERBERRY SYRUP RECIPE 

INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup dried black elderberries
• 3 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root
• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 2 drops clove essential oil
• 2 drops wild orange essential oil
• 1 cup raw honey

DIRECTIONS

1. Add water, elderberries, and ginger to a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer for 30 minutes. 
3. Remove from heat and let cool.
4. Once it is cooled, mash the elderberries with a spoon to get all the juices out and into the liquid.
5. Strain the liquid into a mason jar (or into your storage container) and discard the elderberries. I give them to my chickens! 
6. Add the honey and essential oils when liquid is completely cool.
7. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

NOTES: If you prefer not to use essential oils, you can omit them and add dried cinnamon spice and ground cloves.  If you are making this recipe for a child under the age of 1, substitute the honey with maple syrup or molasses. 

How to Make Elderberry Syrup

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup dried black elderberries
• 3 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root
• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 2 drops clove essential oil
• 2 drops wild orange essential oil
• 1 cup raw honey

Instructions

1. Add water, elderberries, and ginger to a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer for 30 minutes. 
   
3. Remove from heat and let cool.
   
4. Once it is cooled, mash the elderberries with a spoon to get all the juices out and into the liquid.
   
5. Strain the liquid into a mason jar (or into your storage container) and discard the elderberries. I give them to my chickens! 
   
6. Add the honey and essential oils when liquid is completely cool.
   
7. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.