It’s Christmas week! I seriously can’t believe Christmas is in 2 days! This month just flew by. I am actually super sad about having to take down all my Christmas decor. My house is going to look so plain! I will probably keep it up till the New Year though! Anyways, today I am going to be sharing the Elderberry Syrup Recipe that I use! I based this recipe off of one I found from She Talks Detox. She is a Holistic Health Coach in Carlsbad, CA who I have gotten a lot of heath and wellness tips from! So make sure to check out her Instagram @shetalksdetox. I changed the recipe slightly to fit my needs by adding some DoTerra Essential Oils, but the majority of the recipe is based on hers!
Info on Elderberry Syrup:
Elderberry Syrup is a great immune system supporter with vitamins A, B and C. It has been proven to help minimize flu symptoms and prevent you from getting the flu by strengthening your immune system! It is a great, holistic way to keep your family healthy!
This is a recipe I have used for a couple years! I typically only take Elderberry Syrup if we have been around sickness or are getting sick ourselves. However, many people use it daily. It is something I rely on during the winter months when there is so much crud going around! We add this into our daily regimen, that includes probiotics, vitamin C and D, On Guard supplements (from DoTerra) and a multivitamin. All of these really help us to stay healthy. So far this year we have been able to avoid catching a single illness! So fingers crossed that we continue to stay that way!
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
This recipe yields about 3/4 of a cup of Elderberry Syrup. If you want more, then make sure to double this recipe! We are a small family of 3 and don’t use it every day, so 3/4 of a cup works perfect for us. This stays fresh in the fridge for around 2 months.
Ingredients:
- Bowl with cheese cloth or a strainer over a bowl
- Jar with lid
- 1/2 cup elderberries (this is the brand I use)
- 2 cups of water
- 1/4 cup raw honey (best if local but I got mine at Trader Joes this time)
- 3 drops Clove essential oil (I used DoTerra)
- 2 drops of Cinnamon Bark essential oil (I used DoTerra)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (to preserve freshness. I skipped this step because I didn’t have a lemon on hand but I would recommend doing it)
- Any other spices or oils you would like to add. This can include cinnamon sticks, lavender, ginger root, whole cloves, orange peel, lemon peel. The possibilities are endless. So just add whatever you want to!
Instructions:
Add the elderberries to 2 cups of water. Bring those to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Add your spices. I added 3 drops of Clove essential oil and 2 drops of cinnamon bark essential oil. Then let it simmer for at least 20-25 min until the liquid has reduced by more than half (your total cooking time should be between 30-40 min including bringing it to a boil). Then, take your strainer (or I used a bowl with cheese cloth over it) and separate the berries and spices from the syrup. While the syrup is still hot, add the honey and stir it until it dissolves. Once the honey is dissolved, add the lemon juice (this is an optional step, but one I recommend doing to preserve the freshness). Now put it into a jar with a lid and store in your refrigerator for up to 2 months!
Take 1-3 teaspoons a day when sick or 1 teaspoon a day for prevention. Always lower the dosage for kids to be sure they tolerate it well. I started with about a teaspoon for Skyia and she has always done fine with it! But please do your own research and decide for yourself.
Have a wonderful Christmas! I hope you enjoy quality time spent with your loved ones. And stay healthy!
When making homemade Elderberry Syrup you have to make sure to cook the berries at a high enough temperature and for long enough. Elderberries themselves can be poisonous if they aren’t cooked long enough. So please make sure to follow the heating instructions exactly so that you are making a safe Elderberry Syrup! Also, if you decide to use essential oils, make sure you use pure essential oils that are safe for digesting (like DoTerra). Do not give to children under 1 (because of honey). If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before consuming.
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