Elderberry Syrup

What is elderberry?

Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The various species are commonly called elder or elderberry. The genus was formerly placed in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, but was reclassified as Adoxaceae due to genetic and morphological comparisons to plants in the genus Adoxa.


Sambucus canadensis, the American black elderberry, Canada elderberry, or common elderberry, is a species of elderberry native to a large area of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, south to Bolivia. It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry soils, primarily in sunny locations.

Date back in 400 BC Hippocrates called the elder tree his “medicine chest.”

In herbal medicine, the elderberry is considered one of the world’s most healing plants.

Elderberry Health Benefits

The berry is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that helps boost immune system. They could help:

  • tame inflammation

  • lower stress

  • prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms

Since honey is used as a natural preservative in this recipe, please DO NOT give this syrup to infants under 1 year old. If you have young children, please consult with medical professionals if honey is safe for them.

You can substitute sugar or maple syrup for honey.

WHERE TO PURCHASE DRIED ELDERBERRIES:

https://amzn.to/3jbXl6I

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🍅 INGREDIENTS:

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  • 2 cups Dried elderberry

  • 8 cups Water

  • 20-30g Ginger (about 1 - 1.5inch)

  • 4 - 6 piece Cardamon

  • About 2 cups Honey

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🍅 INSTRUCTIONS:

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  1. Combine elderberry, ginger, cardamon with water in pot and bring to boil

  2. Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer about 30 to 45 minutes.

  3. Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.

  4. Strain berries and herbs using doubled cheesecloth and squeeze out liquid

  5. Measure how much liquid is produced. In my case I had 4 cups.

  6. We are going to use honey which is half amount of produced liquid. In my case I used 2 cups of honey.

  7. Place the liquid back into pot, add honey and stir

  8. warm up just enough for honey to melt

  9. Let cool off for one hour or so.

  10. Bottle in sterilized glass.

  11. Keep in refrigerator

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📢 NOTE:

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There are so many different ways to make elderberry syrup. Just like there are so many different ways to make dumplings! Feel free to be creative.

Here are how I like:

  • elderberry and water ration 1:3 to 1:4

  • spices that goes well with - ginger, cinnamon, cardamon, clove

If you are vegan, substitute honey to sugar or maple syrup as preservative.