Elderberry syrup is a wonderful supplement to not only give yourself, but to give your children during the times of the year when everybody around you is walking around sick with the cold, flu, sniffles…whatever.  This is when germs seem to be running rampant and it’s good to have that extra, natural defense system in your body working at it’s best! 

Your immune system needs your help in staying strong.So, when I started giving my kids syrup a couple years ago, I realized that the cost to do this was quite a bit.  Obviously my kids are worth it, but being the person I am, (you can read about that here) I figured that there had to be a way to make the syrup myself – and the search began.  After a long hunting process through books and websites and comparing and researching ingredients – I found one that I thought would work good.   After a few batches, I decided to get creative and make my own version…a more power-packed version.  It works amazing.  It tastes amazing.  My kids have no problem taking it daily, September through March!  If you find that your kids (or you) think the syrup is really sweet, dilute it in a couple teaspoons of water!

Below is the basic recipe that I started with.  This is a good base to start with and I believe it’s a good formula to use with you or your children.   The only reason I am not posting my specific recipe is because when working with herbs you always needs to take precautions and use wisdom.   I took time to test different herbs with my kids to see how they react to them and to see what works for them and what doesn’t.  I can’t say that your kids would or wouldn’t have issues with the various herbs I used – so I’m keeping it simple for you guys!

This syrup (recipe below), once made, can be refrigerated for up to around 3 months – but if used daily or even just 5 days a week, it probably won’t stay sitting in the fridge that long anyway.

If you aren’t looking forward to tracking down all the ingredients, you can buy our DIY Elderberry Immune Strengthening Syrup Kits from our Etsy Shop!

{This photo shows a shot of the simmering process.}

{Straining the syrup through cheesecloth.  It takes some time to make sure you get all the good stuff out.  When it’s done dripping, you squeeze the bunch of herbs, still in the cheesecloth, to get the remaining syrup out.  You have to squeeze quite a bit – don’t want to waste any of it!}

What are the benefits of the Elderberry?  It is a wonderful antioxidant for our bodies!  There are these things called bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice of the Elderberry that have been shown to destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect the cells in your body.  Other benefits of the Elderberry are it’s ability to help lower cholesterol, improve heart health, improve vision, boost the immune system, help fight bacterial and viral infection as well as tonsillitis.  This herb is just amazing and is wonderful at stimulating the body’s immune system!

What are the benefits of Rose Hips? These little reddish pink morsels of nutrient packed goodness are extremely rich in vitamin C! In fact, they contain 50% more vitamin C than oranges.  It also contains vitamin A which helps in preventing bacterial and viral infections.

What are the benefits of Echinacea? Echinacea purpurea stimulates the overall activity of our cells that are responsible for fighting various types of infections.  Echinacea actually makes our present immune cells more efficient at attaching bacteria, abnormal cells, viruses and even cancer cells, unlike antibiotics which directly attack the bacteria.  One cool fact about this amazing herb is that it actually increases the number and activity of our immune system cells including anti-tumor cells.  It also promotes T-cell activation and stimulates new tissue growth for wound healing and reduces inflammation in inflammatory skin conditions as well as arthritis.

What are the benefits of Ginger Root?  Among it’s many benefits for traveling, nausea and digestive issues, Ginger Root is anti-viral and a great warming cold and flu remedy.  This is an amazing supplement to add to any immune booster recipe.

What are the benefits of Cinnamon?  Again, this is another spice that has amazing health benefits in many different areas of one’s physical body.  In relation to colds and flus, Cinnamon is a warming spice great for colds, which helps stimulate circulation, especially to the fingers and toes.  It can also help with aching muscles and other symptoms related to viral conditions of colds and the flu.

What are the benefits of Astragalus?  This funky named item is a perennial plant that is a part of the pea family.  This little plant does an amazing job at restoring activity to a suppressed immune system, meaning it’s a great immune enhancer!  Unlike Echinacea, which is considered more fast acting, Astragalus builds and strengthens your immune system over time – helping build a resistance to disease, sickness and illness.

What are the benefits of RAW honey?  The list of benefits for this wonderful creation is long and extensive, so let me sum it up.  RAW honey (and by RAW, I mean truly, really, absolutely RAW) has amazing health benefits due to the fact that it is unheated, unfiltered and unpasteurized.  RAW honey contains healthful enzymes, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates!   Since it has a high enzyme count – it’s great for the digestive system and it’s also known to help seasonal allergies, when consumed consistently.  RAW honey is not liquid, it is more of a creamy consistency, usually more of an off white color to light yellowish (all depending on the bees and flowers involved).  Many people are scared to eat honey because it’s a sugar – but no fear.  Unlike refined and processed sugar, honey is a single chain sugar which means your body digests it very easily and it doesn’t throw any of your hormones out of whack when you consume it!  RAW honey is wonderfully healthy and I’m a huge advocate of consuming it!

Elderberry Immune Booster Syrup

• 1/4 cup dried Elderberries
• 2 tbsp dried Rose Hips
• 2 tbsp dried Echinacea (I only add every other batch)
• 3/4 tsp dried Cut Ginger Root
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 1 Astragalus stick
• 1 cup filtered water
• 1/2 cup RAW honey *

* if you are making this syrup for a child under the age of 1 and need to stay away from using honey, you can use an alternative sweetener, such as organic maple syrup, coconut sugar, palm sugar or sucanat.  When using a ‘dry’ sweetener, you need to use 1 cup of the dry to substitute the 1/2 cup RAW honey.  Add dry sweetener to the hot liquid, when done simmering, bring to a boil and stir until dissolved.  Cool completely before refrigerating.

Instructions for syrup using honey…

Combine the elderberries, rose hips, ginger root, Echinacea (if you are using it), the cinnamon stick and the astragalus into a medium size sauce pan.  Add the water and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer on low, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes until the liquid is reduced (by at least half).

While herbs are simmering, prepare a bowl with a large mesh strainer over it.  Cover the strainer with cheesecloth (doubled up) and press into the shape of the strainer.  Slowly pour the contents from the saucepan into the strainer and allow the syrup to drip into the bowl.  This may take a while – be patient.  After you see the dripping has stopped, press the mixture with a spoon or spatula to squeeze out remaining juice.  Once that has stopped, I like to pull up the sides of the cheesecloth and squeeze and twist with your hands (wearing plastic food gloves of course)!  I try to get the last drops out this way!

Allow this syrup to completely cool, then add the RAW honey and blend thoroughly.  You want to make sure you take the time to cool the liquid.  Adding the RAW honey to hot liquid will destroy the beneficial enzymes that RAW honey contains.  Once syrup and honey are blended, pour into a glass jar and refrigerate.

To Use:
Adults take 1-4 teaspoons per day, as needed
Children take 1-2 teaspoons per day, as needed

* CAUTIONS:
  – Do not use Rose Hips if you are taking blood thinners.
  – Do not use Echinacea if you  are allergic to ragweed.
  – Do not use Echinacea in every batch, your body can become immune to it’s benefits.

DISCLAIMER:

*Please be aware that I am not a medical doctor and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  These thoughts are formulated by my personal research and personal opinions.  Always consult your physician before starting any new eating or exercise program.