A small but powerfull Berry

Fall is around the corner and with that comes cold and flu season. Crunchy mom’s everywhere will be making or purchasing their elderberry syrup to help support their family’s immune system. Whether you take it daily or as needed for illness elderberry syrup is a must have to help stay healthy year-round but especially so in the winter months when illness is more frequent. This is my elderberry recipe that me and my family have used and loved for the last 4 years. Read more about the benefits of elderberry here. Don’t want to or can’t make your own right now? Check out Earthley’s Elderberry Elixir here.

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What you’ll need

• A 2-3qt stainless-steel pot with a lid or Instant pot
• A stainless-steel mesh strainer
• A stainless-steel funnel (optional, I’ve strained mine without a funnel multiple times)
• A qt size mason jar with lid (smaller jars can be used too)
• Organic Elderberries. (I get dried elderberries here, but fresh berries found locally work too)
• Raw local Honey or Organic honey
• Optional herb add-in (cinnamon, ginger, and clove is what we use)

Directions

Stove top

1. Add 4 cups of water and 1 cup of dried elderberries to your pot and bring to a boil. (Use 2 cups of elderberries if using fresh berries) Add 1-2Tbsp of desired herbs (1-2tsp if using dried herbs)
2. Reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid for 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and strain the liquid into the mason jar. Discard the remains into the compost or trash.
4. Allow the liquid to cool for 15-20 minutes before mixing in 1/2 cup of honey. (More can be added if you prefer a sweeter syrup.)
5. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month or freezer for up to 6 months.

Instant Pot (This is my preferred way to prepare my elderberry syrup)

1. Place 1 cup of dried or 2 cups fresh elderberries, 4 cups water, and 1-2 Tbsp of desired herbs (1-2 tsp if using dried herbs)
2. Place the lid on your Instant pot and set it on manual or pressure cooker depending on your setting for 8 minutes.
3. All your Instant pot to slow release for 15 minutes before depressurizing your Instant pot
4. Strain the liquid into the mason jar. Discard the remains into the compost of trash.
5. Allow the liquid to cool for 15-20 minutes before mixing in 1/2 cup of honey. (More can be added if you prefer a sweeter syrup.)
6. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month or freezer for up to 6 months.

Application

Adults take 1/2Tbsp daily or 1-2Tbsp as needed for illness. We use it daily and take extra when ill.

Children 6moths+ take 2tsp daily or up to 1Tbsp as needed for illness.

*These amounts are not actual doses. These are the amounts that we use for our family that we have found to be both effective and safe*

Final Notes

Elderberry is safe for most people but if you have an autoimmune disorder use with caution. Because elderberry is an immune modulator it will vary from person to person whether or not they can safely use elderberry. I have a suspected autoimmune disorder that has not yet been diagnosed and I’m able to use elderberry without any issues. As always seek the advice of your naturally minded medical professional.