Elderberry Syrup Recipe

January 8, 2018Van

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Prep time: 3 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 24 Oz

Every time I make this, I feel like I’m at Hogwarts in Professor Snape’s class whipping up some sort of magical potion.

Elderberries have been used as a remedy for thousands of years to prevent and treat colds and influenza. These magical little berries boost antioxidant levels which can shorten our cold duration—but more importantly this syrup will help deal with that pesky phlegm that never seems to go away. The two main ingredients are honey and dried elderberries (purchase here).

In fact, a peer reviewed study In the Journal of International Medicine Research showed that those taking an elderberry syrup supplement with their flu recovered FOUR DAYS faster than those who shunned the mystery potion!

Now I don’t know about you but, as a busy mother I NEED those extra days…life’s too short to spend it sick.

Do you save money making it at home? YES, it is significantly cheaper to make your own syrup. I pay $25 for a 1lbs bag of dried elderberries (makes ≈ 9 batches) and $12 per 5lbs bottle of Honey at Costco (I’ll need about 7.5lbs of honey). So my base cost is about $43 to make 9 batches of 24oz elderberry syrup, which ends up being 216oz of syrup. Cost is ≈ $0.20 per ounce – the price goes up a tiny bit if you want to add the spices.

If you have kids, check out these other Elderberry Syrup Recipes:
Elderberry Syrup Gummy Bears Recipe
Elderberry Syrup Mini Popsicles Recipe

Purchase Dried Elderberries here

If you would like to make Elderberry Gummy Bears, check out my recipe for them here.

Be sure to click on the accessories list below to get the most out of your Instant Pot.

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January 8, 2018Van

Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 24 Oz

Immunity Booster and Cold & Flu Remedy

www.foodisafourletterword.com

Ingredients

½ Cup Dried Elderberries
1 Cup Honey
2½ Cups Filtered Water
3 Cinnamon Sticks, or 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional)
1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger Root, (optional)
7 Whole Cloves, (optional)

Method

1)
INSTANT POT Instructions: Place all the ingredients except for the honey into the Instant Pot. Set for Manual / High Pressure for 20 minutes. Let it do a natural pressure release for 15 minutes then switch the nob to venting to release the rest of the pressure.
STOVETOP Instructions: Place all the ingredients into a large pot except for the honey. Add an extra 2 cups of filtered water. Bring it to a boil then simmer for about 1 hour or until the mixture has reduced by about half.
***You can omit any of the spices if you prefer, the store bought syrup usually doesn’t contain any spices, but I add them for the additional health benefits, but kids might not like the taste of the spices
2)
Strain the mixture, press the berries to extract all the juice, then add the honey and mix well. Store the syrup in glass bottles or mason jars. It should keep well for several months in the refrigerator.

Adult Serving: 2 Teaspoons
Kid’s Serving: 1 Teaspoon

Take one serving a day to boost your immune system or every 4 hours if you have a cold or flu. Do not give this to babies under 1 years old since they can not consume honey until they are one. Check with your pediatrician if your child is under 3 years old. Always consult with your medical doctor if you have a serious illness. If taking medication, pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking any supplements or trying out natural remedies.

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Elderberry Syrup Recipe – Cold & Flu Remedy – Instant Pot or Stovetop – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)

FAQs

Does elderberry cold and flu work? ›

Possibly Effective for

Flu (influenza). Taking a specific elderberry extract syrup (Sambucol, Nature's Way) seems to reduce flu symptoms when taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms. But it might not be helpful in some people, including those with lung conditions or children under 12 years of age.

Find Out More ›

How long do you need to cook elderberries to be safe? ›

Boiling elderberries for at least 30 minutes is the go-to method. This ensures the destruction of harmful compounds. Steaming or baking can also do the trick, as long as the berries reach a high enough temperature.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the shelf life of homemade elderberry syrup? ›

Like any other fruit juice it will start to ferment if left out for too long. Elderberry syrup, when stored in a glass jar in the fridge, will stay good for 3 months. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays to defrost as needed.

Discover More Details ›

How do you make medicine with elderberry? ›

The standard dose is ½ – 1 teaspoon for kids and ½ – 1 tablespoon for adults. Add elderberries, ginger if using, and water to a pot and bring to a boil. Let it sit uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the liquid has been reduced by almost half. Remove from heat and let cool until it's lukewarm.

What medications cannot be taken with elderberry? ›

Because elderberry may stimulate the immune system, it could interfere with medications taken to suppress the immune system. These medications include corticosteroids (prednisone) and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases. People with organ transplants should also avoid elderberry.

Learn More ›

Does elderberry help kidneys? ›

Administration of Elderberry is standard folk medicine for difficulties relating to kidney and urine, in addition to cold and cough symptoms caused by inflammation. It also suggested that about 500 milligrams per day of elderberry extract for about 12 weeks is safe and can help with kidney and urinary problems.

Read The Full Story ›

Should you refrigerate elderberry syrup? ›

The only natural thickening agent is raw local honey. We don't add any preservatives or additives so caring for your syrup when you receive it is important! We get asked all the time, “Do I need to refrigerate my syrup?” And the answer is YES!

Keep Reading ›

Can you take too much homemade elderberry syrup? ›

Are There Elderberry Side Effects? There is a downside to consuming too much elderberry, and that is an upset stomach. Just like with any high fiber fruit, eating too much can cause stomach pain, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Explore More ›

Is homemade elderberry syrup better than store bought? ›

Homemade Elderberry Syrup vs Store Bought

By comparison, my homemade syrup is about a quarter of the price of over-the-counter options. The other draw back of over-the-counter versions is the sweetener, usually it's glucose. My recipe uses raw honey as a sweetener, which has so many healing properties.

Does elderberry have side effects? ›

The common side effects of taking raw elderberry plant products, such as fruit, flower, leaves, bark, or root include: Stomach problems. Nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea and constipation.

Get More Info ›

Why is elderberry syrup not FDA approved? ›

Elderberry is not FDA-approved because it's regulated as a supplement, not a drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isn't required to approve a supplement prior to sale and companies manufacturing them are responsible for their safety and labeling them properly.

Read On ›

Who should not take black elderberry? ›

Do not take elderberry without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection;
medicine to treat multiple sclerosis;
medicine to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders;

More items...

Feb 22, 2024

Know More ›

Is elderberry actually antiviral? ›

Many of these natural products have been known and used for their antiviral properties for thousands of years. Black elder and especially elderberries fall into this category of plants that have, in their structure, bioactive compounds with antiviral action and other actions.

Can elderberry cured my cold? ›

“Although it is often touted to reduce flu symptoms and upper respiratory infections, research is mixed. Some studies have shown it to be effective, but a recent trial found no impact on severity or duration of flu. What's more, there is no evidence that elderberry prevents cold or flu infections.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe – Cold & Flu Remedy – Instant Pot or Stovetop – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)