Homemade Elderberry Syrup For Immune Support

Homemade Elderberry Syrup For Immune Support

Elderberries are simply excellent for supporting the immune system. They are rich in Vitamin C , anthocyanins, antioxidants, polyphenols and other beneficial bioactive components. They are highly anti-inflammatory and have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

How to use Elderberries

Our dried elderberries are quite easy to drink as a tea: simply steep a spoon of the elderberries in hot water, add a dollop of honey to sweeten (or leave out if you don't mind the taste), and sip.

However a syrup is more versatile as it tastes better and you can enjoy it over your morning oats, drizzled over pancakes, in smoothies, as a mixer for drinks, and also get the kids to take it with less fuss!

Here is how to make it:

Elderberry Syrup Immune Booster

Makes approximately 3 cups of syrup

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Add the water, elderberries, cinnamon and ginger to a sauce pan and simmer gently without a lid for 30 to 40 minutes. The water will start to evaporate, leaving you with a berry reduction.
  2. Allow this to steep and cool down.
  3. Strain out all the solid bits.
  4. Stir in the honey.

Store in the fridge in a sealed jar for up to 2 months.

Usage

Adults: 1 tablespoon daily

Children over 2 years old: 1 teaspoon daily

Tips

  • In general you want to have a ratio of 1 to 4, herbs to water, by weight. So if you have 50g of herbs, then you want 200g water. 
  • Feel free to experiment and add other herbs and spices if you wish. Cardamom,  vanilla powder, other dried berries, etc are all lovely additions. You could also add in apple cider vinegar or extra ascorbic acid or other vitamins and immune supporters if you wish.
  • Try the same recipe above but substitute the elderberries for  schisandra berries,  juniper berries, or any other dried berries. Each one has different benefits but most berries contain immune supporting components, vitamins and anthocyanins.

Berries

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Juliette van der Meer

Fascinated with all things Nature, Science, Chemistry and Cosmetic Formulation; slave to four cats; my sweet tooth fuels my sweet nature.

I like to constantly learn new things. I also love crime series, which is totally not a red flag :)

I graduated from Rhodes University with a Degree in Geology but later switched to Cosmetic Science and haven't looked back - proof that flipping your life around can lead to much happiness.

BSc Hons, Adv. Dip. Cosmetic Science


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