My Annual Elderberry Syrup Batch
My sister in law Christine inspired me years ago to make homemade elderberry syrup. I am always looking for natural ways to help keep my family healthy in the winter.
According to Web MD: The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They can help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. The main use is to prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms. It’s also been used as a treatment for, constipation, joint pain, respiratory issues, headaches, urinary infections, kidney problems and minor skin irritation. Elderberries are particularly rich in flavonoids, especially anthocyanins which are responsible for their deep purple (almost black) coloring. These powerful antioxidants work to keep the immune system strong and resilient according to Dr Gerhard Rechkemmer, President of Germany’s Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food. His research has shown that the anthocyanins in elderberries boost the production of cytokines – proteins that act as messengers within the immune system – thereby enhancing the body’s immune response. According to Dr. Mercola, findings have revealed that elderberries are a very good source of fiber and vitamin A, and contain high amounts of infection-fighting vitamin C, said to be equal to citrus fruits and a bit higher than that of black currant. Other prominent nutrients in elderberries include iron, potassium, vitamin B6 and beta-carotene.
I purchased elderberry syrup at the grocery store and the syrup was super thick and too sweet for me. So I decided to make my own and it is way more cost effective. I purchase dried elderberries every fall at Apothecary Tinctura in Denver https://www.apothecarytinctura.com/. The shop is full of wonderful herbs and tinctures. They also host workshops that I hope to attend someday. You can also buy elderberries online. I pay for about $45 of elderberries and quadruple the recipe below. I like to share the syrup with friends and family so I like to make a bunch.
The total cost approximately for my batch this year was $60 and it made 7 - 15oz jars of syrup. If you compare the store bought jars you get 4-8 ounces for around $8-10. My jars averaged $9 per 15oz jar. The berries themself do not taste good and need to be cooked. The only thing that makes them taste good after boiling them is the HONEY!
In the winter season we each usually have 1 teaspoon a day. Sometimes I give the kids a small cup of kombucha with the syrup in it as well. It has a great flavor. If we are sick we take it about 3 times a day. I am even going to feed some of the strained berries to my chickens throughout the winter. Here is the recipe:
