Homemade Immune Boosting Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Looking for a way to boost your family’s immune systems through cold and flu season? This elderberry syrup recipe is the perfect natural solution to staying healthy!

My go to remedy when we’ve been exposed to a virus or start to show signs of coming down with something is to dose everyone up with some super immune boosting elderberry syrup. In our experience and according to multiple studies it can cut the duration of a cold or flu in half. That’s why we have been sharing it with friends and family for years now. This recipe has gained the approval of many!

Why Elderberries?

Elderberries contain anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immune stimulating properties. They have a cooling energy to the body making them a great choice in helping to combat inflammation or elevated body temperature due to viruses.

Elderberries also contain extremely high levels of Quercetin which is a plant flavonol from the flavonoid group of polyphenols. There are many benefits to introducing Quercetin into your diet but one reason we do is because it is highly effective against seasonal allergies. The Quercetin in Elderberries can greatly reduce respiratory distress due to allergens and act as a potent anti-histamine.

In fact Elderberries have the highest amount of Quercetin found in food. For every 100 grams of Elderberries there is 42 mg of Quercetin. Red Onions come in next with 33 mg and Cranberries contain 15 mg.

research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23333628/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18026696/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464619300313?fbclid=IwAR3Je4OTvR7qzcLrOA0s8VVojBTjq5mmgeOXfuHFrNxzBSdQnuazXlxaARs

What about Elderberries and COVID-19?

This is a question that keeps coming up after a misleading article circulated scaring people unnecessarily. After doing extensive research I am confident in continuing the use of elderberry syrup in our home. There are many experts who also agree. Right now there is actually a clinical trial involving COVID-19 patients and the effects of elderberries on the virus. Below is an excerpt from an article discussing this trial, you can read it in it’s entirety here…

“Elderberry extracts have been shown to inhibit viral replication,” says pharmacist Shabir Daya, founder of Victoria Health. “This inhibiting property may also extend to other viral infections which is why it has often been recommended for flu. Elderberries are also highly nutritious containing a variety of vitamins and minerals to support the body during infection, they are said to be a powerful antioxidant in their own right and can also help combat free radicals and relieve inflammation.”

So now that we’ve discussed some important things onto the recipe!

Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe

{makes approximately 16 ounces}

1/2 cup dried elderberries
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
4 fl oz raw local honey or pure maple syrup
2 cups distilled water
optional add ins: rosehips, star anise, astragalus root

Bring all ingredients except honey or syrup to a boil. Reduce to low, cover and gently simmer for one hour. Don’t over boil because it will reduce the liquid too much. Let cool. Strain ingredients through cheesecloth into bowl, squeezing any remaining juice out of berries. Pour equal amounts into amber glass bottles and add 2 fl oz of honey or syrup to each bottle making two 8 oz bottles. Shake before using. Keep refrigerated. Lasts approximately 2-3 months in fridge or may be frozen.

A couple other useful herbs and spices you could add to your syrup would be Rosehips, Turmeric, Aronia Berries, Goji Berries, Astragalus, Star Anise, Echinacea. Don’t be afraid to take some creative liberty and make yours unique. Use this recipe as a guide but make it your own!

Recommended dosing is 1 tsp for kids and 1 Tblsp for adults every 3-4 hours if sick. Can take daily. Make sure to never give a baby under 1 year honey. Maple syrup can be used as an alternative and dosage would be reduced to 1/2 tsp.