Elderberry is a staple in this house, but as I’ve been on a quest to keep things as clean and homemade as possible, this year I decided to make my own. It turns out, elderberry syrup is super easy to make in your own kitchen. A handful of simple ingredients, a little time, and you’ve got a natural wellness staple that tastes good and actually works.
The Benefits of Elderberry
- Immune Support: Elderberries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and immune-boosting compounds that help the body fight off illness.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The deep pigments, called anthocyanins, naturally reduce inflammation and support recovery.
- Cold and Flu Relief: Elderberry syrup may help shorten the duration and lessen the severity of seasonal colds when taken early.
- Antioxidant-Rich: The berries are packed with free-radical-fighting power to support long-term health and resilience.
- All-Natural Wellness: When you make it yourself, there are no fillers or artificial ingredients, just pure, natural medicine from the earth.
How to Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup
Adapted from the Mountain Rose Herbs Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried organic elderberries
- 2 cups cold filtered water
- 1 teaspoon dried ginger powder
- 1 small sweet cinnamon stick
- 1 cup raw local honey (doubled for longer shelf life)
Directions
- Combine the berries, ginger, and cinnamon with cold water in a medium pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes until the liquid has reduced by about half.
- Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.
- Strain the berries and herbs using a funnel lined with doubled cheesecloth or an undyed cotton muslin bag, and squeeze out the liquid. Wear gloves as the berries can stain hands and fabrics. The liquid may still be hot, so use caution.
- Discard the used herbs in your compost or feed to your chickens.
- Once the liquid has cooled to just above room temperature, stir in the honey until fully incorporated.
- Bottle the syrup in sterilized glass jars or amber bottles, label, and store in the refrigerator.
Syrup will keep for two to three months in the fridge when the honey is doubled, as in this recipe.
How to Use It
- Daily Support: 1 tablespoon per day for adults, 1 teaspoon for children over one year old.
- When Sick: Take every few hours as needed.
- Creative Uses: Add to sparkling water, stir into tea, or drizzle over pancakes and yogurt for a sweet and earthy immune boost.
If you grow your own, the ‘Marge’ elderberry is a great variety. It’s hardy, high-yielding, and combines the best of American and European elderberries: cold-tolerant, flavorful, and easy to grow. You can find ‘Marge’ elderberry plants through Epic Gardening, a trusted source for healthy, high-quality plants.
If you don’t have your own bushes, organic dried elderberries from Mountain Rose Herbs are the next best thing. They’re USDA certified organic, sustainably sourced, and full of clean, natural flavor. Exactly what you want in a homemade remedy.
Making your own elderberry syrup is simple and grounding. It’s a small act of slowing down, stirring something real, and knowing exactly what you’re putting into your body. That’s clean living to me, intentional, uncomplicated, and just the right kind of wild and free.
She is Wild & Free 