Elderberry Syrup for Colds and Flu

Name: Elderberry Syrup for Colds
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 cup blue or black elderberries (fresh) ((or 1/2 cup dried)); 1¼ cups water; 2 slices fresh ginger; 1" cinnamon stick; 4 whole cloves; 4 cardamom pods; 2 dehydrated orange slices ((or 1 fresh orange slice)); ⅔ cup raw honey

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Elderberry Syrup is commonly used for boosting the immune system and fighting off colds, cough, and flu symptoms. And because the syrup is so tasty, taking a few spoonfuls is a pleasure, not a chore. So make sure you have this Elderberry Syrup for Colds on hand for when you need it!

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because the Elderberry Syrup for Colds is easy to take and has a ton of benefits! I'll share more about that later.

Besides the Elderberry Syrup, I will also show you how to make a simple, two-ingredient Elderberry Tincture. The Elderberry tincture is more concentrated than the Elderberry Syrup and contains alcohol. You can use either brandy or vodka.

I like to make both Elderberry Syrup for Colds and Elderberry Tincture so that I can have both available when flu season hits. I use the syrup as a preventative, and the tincture if I'm feeling sick or rundown.

I have made elderberry syrup using various recipes. I've found that many of the recipes online use a ratio of 1 part elderberries to 2 parts water. I personally find this ratio makes the syrup too runny.

Although this elderberry syrup won't be as thick as store-bought syrups (or my chokecherry syrup, for example), it won't be too runny either.

Instead of mixing in a simple sugar syrup, we will be adding raw honey to the elderberry juice instead. The honey contains anti-fungal properties, which makes it an excellent sweetener choice in this Elderberry Syrup for Colds recipe.

Even though I prefer to use fresh berries in my homemade elderberry syrup, but you can substitute dried elderberries if you'd like.

What Goes into This Recipe

How to Make This Recipe

Time needed: 55 minutes.

An easy recipe for making delicious and nutritious elderberry syrup and tincture

Add elderberries, water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom pods, and orange slices to a small saucepan.
Boil/simmer the mixture
Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes. Mash the elderberries to extract as much of the juice as possible.
Strain juice
Remove the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom pods. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or my personal favorite, reusable soup bags.
Add honey
Clean the pot and pour the strained syrup back in. Once warm, add the honey and whisk to combine.
Bottle and Store
Pour the syrup into a sterilized 8 oz jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.

How to Make Elderberry Tincture

Making elderberry tincture is even simpler than making elderberry syrup. It's also more concentrated, so you don't need to take as much.

One teaspoon 3 times a day is enough when suffering from cold or influenza.

Fill an 8 oz mason jar half full with fresh elderberries (or ¼ cup dried berries).
Top with 80 proof vodka or brandy until the jar is full.
Seal the jar and write the date on the jar lid.
Store the jar in a dark cupboard for approximately one month.
Shake the bottle every now and then.
After a month, strain the liquid and store it in a dark tincture bottle.
Use as needed. It can also be added to tea.

elderberries in a jar with brandy and syrup in the background

shaking elderberries mixed with vodka in a jar

Elderberry Varieties

There are a variety of elder trees that grow in America and Europe. This includes European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).

Th fruit or berries can be found in blue, black, and red.

The elderberries I've come across in San Diego are the blue variety. Their light blue color, however, is actually due to the wild yeast that coats them.

Once washed, they are actually a darker blue.

In Montana, I've foraged black elderberries, which grow wild in the mountains around our property.

There are also red elderberries, however, they are poisonous and should not be consumed.

How to Dry Elderberries

Wash elderberries in a large bowl full of cold water.
Strain elderberries, making sure to discard any unripe berries, debris, stems, and leaves.
Dry the elderberries on paper towels and add to a dehydrator, using the fruit leather trays.
Dehydrate for approximately four hours on the 135-degree F setting. The elderberries should be dry enough to where they no longer hold any moisture.
Store in a sealed jar or plastic bag until needed.

Recipe FAQ's and Expert Tips

What are the benefits of elderberries?

In one study, 60 people with flu-like symptoms took 15 milliliters (ml) of elderberry syrup four times a day. Their symptoms improved 4 days before the people who took a placebo.
In another study, 32 people with flu-like symptoms took lozenges containing 175 milligrams (mg) of elderberry extract four times a day for 2 days. After 24 hours, they reported an improvement in symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and nasal congestion.
(MedicalNewsToday)

What are the side effects of consuming elderberries?

According to RXlist.com, elderberry consumption (especially raw) can have the following side effects.

Nausea/vomiting (eating raw berries)
Weakness
Dizziness
Numbness
Stupor

However, it's important to point out for every article that mentions you can't eat raw elderberries, there are ten comments from those claiming they ate them by the handfuls as children without ill effect.

I'm no expert on the topic, but the research I did on the subject was very conflicting.

For this reason, I prefer to err on the side of caution and not eat them.

How Much elderberry syrup should I take?

I have seen dosages range from 1 teaspoon 3 times a day, to 1-½ tablespoons every 3 to 4 hours.

I recommend starting on a lower dosage to see how your body tolerates it and increase the dosage from there.

• The adult dosage is 1 teaspoon daily to boost the immune system and prevent illness.
• If sick, take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
• Children can take 1 teaspoon daily to prevent illness or 1 teaspoon 3 times a day when suffering from a cold or flu.
• Do not give to infants under the age of 12 months, especially since the syrup contains honey.

How do you store elderberries?

If you will be using the elderberries right away, you can clean them first, then store them in the fridge up to a day.

If you will use them at a later date, place the cleaned elderberries on a foil-lined tray and freeze in a single layer. Once frozen, store the berries in ziplock bags.

If you dry the berries using a dehydrator, or the oven, you can store them in jars until you are ready to use them.

Unripe elderberries, as well as stems, leaves, and bark of the elder tree, are poisonous. They contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside, and should not be used in this recipe.
This syrup is not intended for infants under the age of 12 months.
You can substitute dried elderberries for fresh ones. You will need ½ the number of dried berries as fresh.
Elderberry syrup may not be suitable for pregnant women. Please consult your doctor before using it.
To make this Elderberry Syrup for Colds last longer, add ¼ cup brandy, which will act as a preservative.
Using raw honey has further health benefits since it contains anti-fungal properties, helps digestive issues, and is soothing to sore throats.

elderberry syrup and tincture in bottles

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