This week, my mom and I made a DIY elderberry syrup recipe for the first time! I’ve already been taking elderberry gummies for years but have been wanting to try making my own syrup too. I was surprised to find how easy and delicious it is.
If you’ve never heard of elderberry syrup benefits before it’s time! It’s my favorite way to boost my immunity during cold and flu season. You can use it either as a preventative remedy or to help lessen symptoms if you do get sick. It can also be used to help relieve sinus issues or coughs!
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Elderberry Syrup Benefits
According to Healthy Mama Hacks:
“In one study, elderberry extract inhibited several strains of influenza and reduced symptoms. Another study found that the flavonoids in elderberry syrup were effective against the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus.”
That being said, it isn’t a magic bullet. Sickness happens. We can’t even completely prevent getting sick, but until wearing a hazmat suit in winter is socially acceptable, I will try anything and everything to prevent getting a cold or flu. (A few years ago I had the Norovirus and I still traumatized from that experience.)
RELATED: My 10 Must-Have Amazon Products for Cold & Flu Season
Now, let’s get to it.
It is best if you can find all the ingredients locally, but if not don’t worry – Amazon has your back. ;) Also, it’s important to use raw honey. Most honey products you find in the store have been overprocessed, killing the enzymes, nutrients, and antibodies. It also helps preserve your syrup!
DIY Elderberry Syrup Recipe
What you will need for homemade elderberry syrup:
- 1/2 cup Dried Elderberries
- 1 Cup Raw Organic Honey (Or local raw honey!)
- 1Tablespoon Grated Ginger (optional)
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 2 Cups Filtered Water
How to Make Homemade Elderberry Syrup
1.) Add everything BUT the honey to a pot and bring to a boil. Wait until the juice is cooled to add the honey.
2.) Reduce heat and simmer until half the liquid is gone. This will take between 30 and 45 minutes.
3.) Mash the elderberries to get out all the juices!
4.) Strain juice through a cheesecloth-lined strainer.
5.) Allow to cool to room temperature and stir in honey.
6.) Store in glass jars.
DIY Elderberry Syrup Recipe Dosage
- Take one to two teaspoons per day as a preventative measure. You can take more if you get sick!
- According to this study, you can take 3 teaspoons four times a day if you do get sick.
- Never give anything with honey to a child under 12 months. Instead of raw honey, you can make elderberry syrup with date syrup for those under one year old.
- Talk to your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant before taking.
- Store in the fridge for up to three months.
NOTE: The taste takes some getting used to. It’s a LOT sweeter than I thought it would be but if you go in thinking it will taste like cough syrup then it will taste better than you think. ;)
And if you love the thought of homemade elderberry syrup but don’t want to make it, you can always buy it on Amazon too.
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I have used already processed elderberry syrup before but I do love the idea of making my own from scratch at home.
And you can make a lot at once too!
I’ve never had elderberry syrup and it sounds amazing. I’m all for natural remedies over taking pills. This is one I’ll have to try making soon.
I am too. I hope you enjoy this!
I’m getting ready to make some. Elderberry syrup works miracles! So wonderful for the immune system.
Elderberry syrup is wonderful for colds! Thanks for the DIY tutorial!
So very welcome!
I have an elderberry Bush. Can I substitute fresh elderberries for the dried?
I’ve never tried with fresh elderberries (but that sounds wonderful!) but here is a recipe that can help: https://normsfarms.com/blogs/medicinal/how-to-make-black-elderberry-syrup-from-fresh-elderberries
I have never tried elderberry syrup or the gummies, but I have heard so much about the benefits of elderberries! The recipe looks relatively easy!
This sounds yummy! And elderberries are so good for you!!! We need to do everything we can to build our immune system!
I really want to grow our own elderberry plant this year! We have struggled to find elderberries in our area. Thank you for the recipe!
I would love to grow my own eventually too!
I haven’t tried elderberry syrup or the gummies, but your recipe looks really easy to follow!
It definitely is!
This is such a good idea. I love finding natural ways to ward off sickness, so I am definitely going to try this. I learned something new about elderberries too!
I’m a big fan of elderberry syrup — had no idea it was this easy to make yourself! Definitely want to try this at some point, bc both of my kids take it, and I do as well, so we burn through the bottles fairly quickly.
Yesss – try it!
I’m so thankful I came across this right now! I love the benefits of elderberry. I didn’t know making it into a syrup would be so easy!
-Jennifer
Yessss! :)
I love, LOVE that you made your own syrup! I just started taking elderberry gummies last year, and I now swear by them! Can’t wait to try making my own syrup!
I totally swear by them too. :)
I used to have elderberry plants and the deer just loved them. I will have to try to make some of this sometime. Thanks for the article
Very welcome! And I’m jealous you had your own elderberry plants.