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Why You NEED Elderberry Syrup For Colds and Flus in Your Herbal Medicine Cabinet
Elderberries are one of the best immune boosters out there. There is a lot of evidence that elderberry syrup is so strong that it is an effective treatment for the flu! Elderberries are high in vitamin C, which we know is a crucial nutrient for immune health. Elderberries are anti-inflammatory but they have a laxative, diuretic, and expectorant properties.
My first experience with elderberry syrup was nothing short of miraculous. My husband and I ended up with H1N1 several years ago. Luckily I already had some elderberries on hand so I made the syrup quickly. We were both about 80% better in just 3 days. My husband ended up going to to urgent care to see if they could tell him what he had, and they were shocked he was even upright and out of the house! He told them about the elderberry, but he said they didn’t care much unfortunately. This was my first experience with a real flu, and it was relatively easy to get through thanks to herbal medicine!
Elderberries can also be beneficial to those with EBV, herpes simplex, and even HIV. It can help lower the risk of heart disease as well! (Source)
The most common way to use elderberries is in a syrup. You can buy your own or you can make it yourself! It is much more cost effective you make it yourself. A whole pound of elderberries is the same price as a small portion of pre-made syrup.
Earthley offers an easy solution- get the DIY Elderberry Kit here!
If making the syrup isn’t your thing, you can also use the Elderberry Elixir from Earthley. It’s a tincture so it’s shelf-stable and will last longer than syrup will.
Ingredients for Elderberry Syrup:
- 2/3 Cup Dried Black Elderberries
- 2 Tablespoons Organic Ginger Powder or Fresh Ginger
- 1 Teaspoon Organic Ceylon Cinnamon
- 3-4 cups Filtered Water
- 1/2 cup Raw Honey (Local is best!)
- 1/2 teaspoon Organic Cloves optional
How to Make Elderberry Syrup for Colds and Flus
- Add water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves (if using) to a pot. Don’t add the honey yet though!
- Once the mixture boils, then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45-60 minutes. The liquid should reduce by almost half in this time.
- Let the mixture cool for a good 10-15 minutes. Pour this mixture through a mesh strainer into another bowl, and you can mash the berries with a spoon to help get some more of the juices out. Either throw the used berries out, or compost them if you are able to.
- Let the liquid cool a bit longer before adding the raw honey ( heat can kill the enzymes, so we don’t want to add the honey to a very hot liquid).
- You can store this in the fridge once complete (a Mason jar is perfect). It seems to vary how long it keeps, but with 3 of us using it regularly, it doesn’t have time to go bad.
- You can use 1-2 tsps for kids, 1-2 Tbs for adults twice a day during acute illness. Be cautious if you have autoimmune issues though as there is a lot of debate on safety. In my years of using elderberry, it really seems to depend on the person. Only use what you are comfortable with.
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The body is a whole and we must treat it as such! I have my Bachelor of Science in Natural Health Sciences, certificates in Herbal Studies from Herbal Academy, and I am constantly learning more about health to help my clients and followers.
My goal is to help you unleash your own inner healer! You already hold the power to heal inside you. My role is as a guide to help you realize this potential.