Elderberry Syrup
Most people have heard about Elderberry by now. It has become a very trendy home remedy and for good reason, but I must confess that while I do love and respect the Elder plant and trust it’s wisdom, Elderberry syrup isn’t always the first remedy I reach for when treating myself.
Elderberry contains large amounts of natural substances called flavonoids such as anthocyanins, quercetin and rutin, which promote a healthy inflammatory response. This helps to ease pain and swelling and relieves symptoms like body aches, fever, sore throats and fatigue.
Elderberry gives a short term boost to the immune system. It increases the production of cytokines (chemical messengers of the immune system), promoting an immune-stimulatory effect and helps prevent foreign elements from taking hold in the body. There is some evidence that Elderberry may actually render foreign invaders to our bodies ineffective. There has been quite a bit of recent controversy over whether or not Elderberry should be avoided by folks with autoimmune disorders.
So why isn’t it one of my favorite remedies? As someone who struggles with autoimmunity myself, Elderberry is not something I use for daily maintenance to prevent illness, nor is it best used this way. There are alternatives I much prefer for prevention, such as medicinal mushrooms which modulate immune function rather than stimulate it. I have no desire to keep my immune system stimulated on a daily basis unless I have been in large crowds or traveling and have reason for concern. Do I believe Elderberry negatively affects my immune system? I have no proof of that. But I err on the side of caution regardless. I give Elderberry to my children at the very first sign of cold or flu, be it sniffles, sneezes or general malaise. Or, within 24 to 48 hours after symptoms begin.
I often reach for Elderflower (dried, in hot tea with lemon and honey) for antiviral and fever reducing power.
You don’t need to be an herbalist to make Elderberry Syrup, or even have much experience in the kitchen. It’s easy to make, and the recipe is fully customizable.
Let us know in the comments if there is a special ingredient to your own recipe that we should try!
Elderberry Syrup
Description
Simple but effective elderberry syrup recipe you can easily make at home.
Ingredients
1 cup dried elderberries, preferably locally sourced and/or organic
1 cinnamon stick (optional, preferably ceylon cinnamon, not cassia)
4 – 6 whole cloves (optional)
2 T dried rosehips (optional)
1-2 T chopped fresh ginger root (optional)
2 cups cold water (preferably distilled, purified, or spring water)
1/2 +/- cup honey (preferably local and/or raw … you may also use maple syrup or agave for a vegan/infant-friendly recipe); double the amount of sweetener to increase shelf life (sweeten to taste)
1 cup vodka or brandy (optional to increase shelf life)
Instructions
Combine berries and herbs with cold water in pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer about 40 minutes or until reduced by about half.
Remove from heat and let steep 1 hour.
Strain berries and herbs using a funnel overlaid with doubled cheesecloth or undyed cotton muslin bag and squeeze out liquid (careful, liquid will likely still be hot!). Discard used herbs in compost.
Once liquid has cooled to just above room temperature, add honey and stir to incorporate. If using vodka or brandy, add here and stir until well combined. Bottle in sterilized glass.
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