You know I’m a big fan of elderberries. We’ve talked about elderberries in the past. And they grow wild here in NEPA, so that’s a huge plus. But, even if they don’t grow in your area, you can purchase them dried pretty reasonably right here.
Elderberry Syrup is well known for its ability to boost the immune system and to fight coughs, colds, and flu. I make it regularly and Mike and I take a tablespoon (or so) of it most every day, especially during the winter.
Many recipes simmer the berries with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger to add additional cold-fighting properties and make it taste even more yummy. These are fantastic and I always add them as well.
Supercharge Your Elderberry Syrup
I love to forage and I’ve begun to wonder what other wild-foraged treasures could be added to my elderberry syrup to make it even more powerful – to supercharge it so to speak! While most of my additions may be foraged, they can also be purchased dried if they are not available in your area.
Rose hips – high in both vitamins C and A, rose hips are an immune booster and can help to prevent infections from both bacteria and viruses. If you can’t forage rose hips, purchase them here.
And here’s a great recipe, if you want to make just rose hip syrup.
Juniper berries – have antiviral properties and have been used to treat bronchitis. If you can’t forage juniper berries, purchase them here.
Elderflower – like the elderberry, elderflower has antiviral and antibacterial properties and has commonly been used for colds and flu, sinus infections, and other respiratory issues. If you can’t forage elderflower, purchase it here.
Barberry – Berberine, the active ingredient in barberries has been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria and may improve the function of the immune system. It has traditionally been used to treat sore throat, nasal congestion, sinusitis, and bronchitis. The root is effective as well. If you can’t forage barberries, purchase them here, or the root here.
Be sure to also visit my post Natural Home Remedies for Your Medicine Cabinet
and Elderberry and Calendula Fire Cider.
Supercharged Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen elderberries or 1 cup dried
- 2 cups water
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger chopped
- 1 – 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 – 6 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon rose hips, barberries, juniper berries, dried elderflower any or all of these, optional
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Combine all but the raw honey in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about an hour. Remove from heat and mash the berries.
- Remove the berries and other ingredients by straining. Cool to room temperature.
- Add the raw honey and stir until dissolved. Be sure to not add the honey while the decoction is still hot so as not to destroy the enzymes present in the raw honey.
- Refrigerate. Take 1 tablespoon per day to support your immune system.
elderberry Source, rose hips Source, juniper berries Source, elderflower Source, barberry Source
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Jessica says
How much liquid should be left after simmering for an hour?
Susan Vinskofski says
Jessica, the water generally reduces by about half.
Dave says
Can I add astragalus root while simmering for added immune benifets thanks
Susan Vinskofski says
I don’t see why not, Dave!
Sarah Gula says
How long will this stay good in the fridge? We have wild elderberries everywhere here in Ukraine, and it’s flu season–I need to mix up a batch of this today! Thanks! 🙂
Susan Vinskofski says
Sarah, the syrup will keep in the refrigerator for about a month. So glad you stopped by!!!
Tracy says
if adding the additives, is it one teaspoon of each? Or one teaspoon total? Thank you!
Susan Vinskofski says
A teaspoon each of those you have available. No hard and fast rules, though. 🙂
Tracy says
thanks Susan!
Aimee says
My kiddos don’t like the syrup with the cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Is there a health benefit to adding these spices? Or can I make the syrup without them and still get the same benefits?
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Aimee, both the ginger and cinnamon add their own health benefits, but the elderberry is the herb that is anti-viral. It is just fine to make it with just the elderberry. After all, if they won’t take it then it’s not doing them any good at all.
Kelli says
How much does this make? We have a family of 6 so I’m thinking this recipe wouldn’t last us very long. Thanks.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Kelli, this makes about 2 cups of syrup, but the recipe can easily be doubled.
Hilary says
What is the dosing for kids with these added ingredients
Susan Vinskofski says
Hilary, many of the additional herbs have not been evaluated for use by children.
Beth Nelson says
Are barberries and barberry root interchangeable?
Susan Vinskofski says
Beth, you may use either the root or the berries in the recipe.
Joy M says
A bee keeper at our Farmers’ Market has buckwheat honey. That in itself is good to trickle down a scratchy throat but it was also a very nice addition to my elderberry syrup last year.
Thanks for these other ideas. I’m going to have a very nice supercharged syrup this year. 🙂
Susan Vinskofski says
Oh, yes, I love the darker honeys. Japanese Knotweed is one of my faves.
Gwen Deterville says
Is it possible to reduce the honey by half?
The carb count would bother me, but there is keto honey – perhaps a viable substitute?
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, you can cut the honey in half. Just keep in mind that the syrup may be a bit thinner.