Boosting Immunity with Elderberry Syrup

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Elderberry is a wonderful herb to help stabilize the immune system, and can be used to prevent and treat common colds.

Elderberries are high in vitamins A and C, and chock-full of an antioxidant called quercitin. They are also anti-inflammatory and, according to herbal theory, possess antiviral properties.

Instead of rushing to your favorite health food store to purchase all things elderberry, try this easy recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs to make your own elderberry syrup at home!

For prevention, I recommend drinking 1/2 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp daily for adults, and 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp daily for little ones.

If you catch a cold, up that dosage! Instead of once a day, drink the same amount every 2-3 hours.

This syrup is also great as a sweet, saucy treat. Top an apple with almond butter and a drizzle of elderberry sryup for a PB&J-esque fruit dessert.

When it comes to finding ingredients, I was able to find everything I needed in one trip to my local Natural Grocers. Check their bulk section for the dried elderberries and cinnamon sticks.

Elderberry Syrup, recipe thanks to The Mountain Rose Blog

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups cold water
  • 2 cups organic dried elderberries
  • 1 organic cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp fresh grated organic ginger root or organic dried ginger root
  • Raw local honey

Directions

  1. Combine the berries and herbs with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and mash the berries in the liquid mixture.
  4. Strain the berries and herbs through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer and squeeze out the juice into a measuring cup or marked mason jar.
  5. Measure the liquid and add an equal amount of honey.
  6. Gently heat the honey and juice for a few minutes over low heat until well combined. Be sure not to boil the syrup!
  7. Bottle in sterilized glass

The Mountain Rose Blog also has an extra-herbacious, pumped up version of the syrup that they call a Cockaigne, here. This one is full of flavor and even more immune support. I highly recommend giving their Cockaigne a try!