Making elderberry syrup in your own kitchen is a rewarding and simple task. All you’ll need are a few ingredients and optional spices to give the syrup a hint of warming flavor.
1 cup dried elderberries
4 cups distilled water
2-3 cinnamon sticks
1-inch knob fresh ginger
1 tsp cloves
1 cup raw and local honey
Simmer dried berries in water with spices until liquid is reduced to two cups, which should take 30-45 minutes.
Strain liquid mixture and discard or compost berries, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Make sure to press the berries through the strainer firmly to extract any remaining liquid.
Allow mixture to cool slightly before stirring in raw honey.
Store in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to four months. To prolong shelf life of elderberry syrup, add in a splash of brandy.
Many symptoms of the cold and flu can be eased and treated with this powerful little berry. Two randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies demonstrate the elderberry extract, Sambucol, effectively inhibits both influenza A and B strains when given orally to patients in the first 48 hours of flu-like symptoms.
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