Elderberries have been found to be beneficial in helping to deal with colds and flus as well as be beneficial for other aspects of health. Elderberries help by preventing viruses from attaching to and penetrating cells in the body. It has also been found to enhance cell communication to one another helping the cells coordinate a better response against pathogens. It is said that American elderberries are better than the others. So, when purchasing elderberries you may want to go for the American berries. It is recommended that you take the elderberries every day during times of the year when you are more likely to get a cold or flu. It is recommended that adults take about 1 tbsp a day and children take about 1 tsp a day. Elderberries have been found to be more effective if they are already doing their thing when a virus is contracted, however they are still helpful if taken after a virus is contracted. Elderberries can be toxic if not cooked, so do not consume uncooked elderberries unless they are the American version. The American elderberries have been said to be safe for consumption even when uncooked. We recommend that you verify this for yourself before consuming uncooked Americal elderberries.
A nice way to consume elderberries is in the form of elderberry syrup. There are many different elderberry syrup recipes out there. We have provided one below for your convenience. This and many other elderberry syrup recipes use raw honey. Raw honey can be harmful to children under the age of 1. If you plan to give elderberry syrup to a child under the age of 1 you can use pure maple syrup instead of raw honey.
Below the recipe we have also provided links to some online recourses on elderberries, including a video on how to make elderberry syrup.
Recipe:
1 cup of dried elderberries or 4 cups of fresh elderberries.
3-4 cups of water.
1 tsp of ground ginger or 1 tbsp of minced fresh ginger.
1 tsp of cinnamon or 1-2 cinnamon stick.
1 tsp of cloves or 4-6 whole cloves.
1/4 cup or 25 grams of astragalus. (Optional, but recommended for immune boost)
1/8-1/4 cup of rosehips. (optional)
1/2-1 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup.
Add all the ingredients accept the honey or maple syrup to a big pot. Heat on medium high heat until it starts to boil; then reduce heat to a medium low heat and let simmer until the contents reduces to about half. This should take about 20-30min, some say up to 45.
Then let the contents cool to about room temperature.
Next, strain the contents using a cheesecloth or a mesh strainer and us something, such as a spoon, to press the contents to get all the juice out. At this point you should have about 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups of juice, depending on how much water you added to the mix before boiling it down. if you do not have this much juice then add water until you do get to the 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups of juice.
After that, add the honey or maple syrup and stir until the sweetener is mixed well.
Then put the fresh made elderberry syrup in a container, seal it tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to about 3 months. (Some say to store it in the refrigerator for up only 2 months, some say you can store it the refrigerator for up to about 6 months.)
Note: For a larger batch double the recipe and increase the simmer time so the contents reduce by half.
The Information on this page is not to be taken as medical advice nor is it to be taken as solid fact. this information, gathered by limited research, is provided to help give a general understanding of elderberries and how to make elderberry syrup. It is recommended that you do your own research on this topic to verify the information given on this page.
