As a parent and homesteader, I have been trying to find more natural remedies for common issues we can treat at home. One of my favorites is elderberry syrup—a delicious, immune-boosting staple that’s easy to make right at home.
Why Elderberry?
Elderberries have actually been used for years in traditional medicine. They’re packed with all kinds of great things:
- Vitamin C – supporting a healthy immune system
- Antioxidants – fighting oxidative stress
- Flavonoids – which may help reduce inflammation
- Natural antiviral properties – often linked with shorter colds and milder flu symptoms
I make and keep elderberry syrup on hand about 3 times a year (especially during the colder months) as a natural way to strengthen the body’s defenses against cold and flu symptoms. With 5 kids in the home, they bring a variety of germs! Sometimes it seems like we could use this all year round.
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried elderberries (I use this from Amazon)
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon)
- 3–4 whole cloves
- 1–2 tbsp fresh ginger (optional – I know ginger is strong tasting!)
- 1 cup raw honey (local honey if possible because this also boosts immunity!)
Instructions:
- Add elderberries, water, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered until liquid is reduced by about half (roughly 30–45 minutes).
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing berries to extract all the liquid.
- Once liquid is lukewarm, stir in honey. (Adding honey while hot may destroy some of its beneficial properties.)
- Pour into a glass jar and refrigerate. Keeps for 2–3 months.
Dosage (traditional use):
- Adults: 1 tablespoon daily
- Children: 1 teaspoon daily
- If cold or flu symptoms start, many people take the same dose every 2–3 hours.
(Pro Tip: Elderberries should always be cooked before use, berries can cause digestive upset. My sweet husband learned this the hard way.)
The Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
- Immune Support – Elderberry has been studied for its role in reducing cold and flu duration.
- Natural Remedy – Making my own avoids the artificial dyes, additives, or unnecessary and excessive sugars found in store-bought syrups.
- Cost-Effective – A homemade batch costs a fraction of what health stores charge for pre-made syrup. The bag I linked from Amazon has made me about 5 batches!
- Family Friendly – With honey’s help of natural sweetness, all my kids love it. The whole family gets in line to take a dose!
Final Thoughts
Elderberry syrup is more than just a home remedy—it’s a way of caring for your family naturally, right from your own kitchen.
Let me know if you make this and what you think!
