How to Make Elderberry Syrup

[ConcernedMushroom]

could you use dried or dehydrated ginger for this?

[StarAnisse]

I made some elderberry syrup. I began taking it about two weeks ago because cold and flu season is fast approaching. and my daughter was sick. She took only herbal medicines and It took her about a four days to recover. Saturday I woke up sneezing, with a running nose and feeling tired. I started taking my herbal cures, garlic, nettle, peppermint tea(from mountain rose herbs) and my elderberry syrup. That was yesterday and I feel so much better. The cold never really took hold. Thanks!

[mountainroseherbs]

@StarAnisse So glad you are feeling better and that the herbs helped support you and your daughter's immune responses! <3

[apatte4975]

this is next on my list of things to create.

[celticchrys]

Thanks for the video. I had never seen someone do this with dried berries before(only fresh).

[waitinghopeful]

What if you added the honey before you boiled? Is it a lost cause??? ) =

[GingerGlitterHarley]

I just made this out of the Herbal Kit. I was wating for some local wildflower honey. This was so easy to make and Oh So Good. I don't think it is going to last long in this house as a medicine. I'm planing to make some buckwheat pancakes and waffles and will pour this all over them. Oh, next time I'm thinking of putting some pectin in the syrup to make it thicker.

Oh, the Herbal Kit made a great gift for my sis in law.

Thank you

[ascolari]

I made this back in June and I just ran out yesterday. My 4 1/2 year old daughter LOVES this. She hadn't been sick since June, until yesterday. By sick, I mean goopy, runny nose, sneezy, coughing, etc. I use local raw honey and elderberries that grow on my husband's family's ranch. I have an endless supply of them. Thanks, so much for posting this!

[kristileonard610]

can this be made with out the cinnamon? I have a child who is deathly allergic to cinnamon....

[mountainroseherbs]

@kristileonard610 Hi Kristi, You can certainly make this syrup without cinnamon and it will be just as effective. Thanks for the great question! ~Erin

[kristileonard610]

can this be made with out the cinnamon? I have a child who is deathly allergic to cinnamon....

[JesusIsLoveToMe]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

[psychmaj323]

what if you have kids and can't use honey? What an you use in place of it?

[celticchrys]

@psychmaj323 You can use sugar instead of honey if you are willing to give them sugar.

[ZenaLamek]

Does not using a metal spoon against a metal sieve risk damaging the sieve? A wooden spoon is safer, perhaps? But it is a very good recipe, thank you.

[LisaBaby67]

Local honey (local to whereve you happen to live) is good for fighting off allergies, too.

[LisaBaby67]

*Seasonal allergies, that is. 

[Gunnarsguns]

Add a little vodka to this and you have one delicious liquer

[kmtalbott]

Does anyone know if you can freeze this? I never feel up to making remedies when I am in the midst of a sickness. Made ahead would be great. Any thoughts?

[mountainroseherbs]

@kmtalbott Hello! Great question. Because simple sugar syrups and honey act as a preservative, the herbal syrup should last quite a long time if kept in the refrigerator. Rosemary Gladstar recommends 2-3 months, but I've had syrups last up to a year. Thanks again for the great question and herbal cheers!

~Erin

[witzken]

I just made this today, and it is delicious.  Thank you! I used raw local honey and dried berries.

[greenmanherbalist]

Its great to see other Elderberry recipes on you-tube! Very inspiring I enjoyed wathcing it! :)

[vanilladreamextract]

I have make this syrup before and it really does work!

Question I have is - I use dried elderberries, can I use them more than once if I freeze them after I use them?

[Watchmydust]

The herb he uses kill all bacteria (cloves is the best) That why our elders use it on HAM...THE WORST OF OFFENDERS OF PARASITES.

So, don't worry...A bit of vinegar would take care of any worryies of ginger...Signed an herbalist

[pogospace]

I made this two days ago and it is delicious medicine.

[livingintrees]

could you make this with agave syrup instead of honey for a vegan diet?

[thewoodlandgirl]

If you do not strain the berries, it will shorten the shelf life quite a bit. Also you can use distilled water instead of tap. Boiling does not get kill all the bacteria and minerals in water which will cause spoiling. I always use distilled water for herbal preps. Also making sure all your containers are sterile will add to the shelf life. Also you could omit the ginger and that would increase the shelf life as well.

[abrit38]

do you have to strain the berries out? Would it be ok to also take a spoonful of the berries along with the liquid? Seems a shame to waster them.

[kattierowe]

abrit38, i have 2 words for you: elderberry pie :) i wouldn't exclusively use rehydrated berries in your pie filling, but mixing them into an existing filling won't hurt into a thing. if you're worried about messing up the taste, make the infusion of berries without the cinnamon and ginger and then steep those in the infusion after the berries have been strained out :)

[HerbWyfe]

The sweetener you use, as well as the ratio of it to elderberry, will affect both the effectiveness and shelf life of the finished product. It has nothing to do with 'thickness'. Stevia will only act as a sweetener. Honey has both therapeutic and preservative qualities. An elderberry syrup with an equal part of unpasteurized honey can last in the fridge for at least several weeks. If stored in the freezer (since the honey will prevent it from freezing solid) it will last for over a year.

[HerbWyfe]

Hence stevia is not a 'substitute' as substitute would imply similar qualities. You can certainly add stevia is you just want to sweeten it. But know that it will have the shelf life of any fruit juice, because that's basically what it will be.

[HerbWyfe]

Maple syrup does not provide as much preservative properties as honey, but it is a soothing expectorant hence therapeutic in its own right as well. In my part of the world, it costs about the same as honey. I'm sure every part of the world has its own affordable local favorites. Here its agave syrup that's the most expensive :P

[HerbWyfe]

Stevia can NOT be used as a Honey substitute for syrup as it will not preserve or thicken the syrup, reulsting only in a sweet elder juice that will spoil in a few days. Try maple syrup if honey is an issue for you

[moonbeam1432]

can i use dried ginger root instead of fresh ginger.

[BekahApple]

I am definitely gonna try this. =] Sounds yummy! And something I have been wanting as I always get colds.

[erdwinjc]

Ive read it is good to add lemon juice to the berry mix while boiling. The berries lack a certain acid to break down. I've always used sugar. But this recipe is gonna allow me to add the correct amount of honey. Thank you so much. God bless! :^D

[CPSSucks]

Sounds like a good alternative to tamiflu! I found this on a website, and thought it worth noting: Because of the cyanogenic potential of the leaves, extracts of the plant may be used in foods, provided hydrogen cyanide levels do not exceed 25 ppm in the flavor. Toxicity in children who used peashooters made from elderberry stems has been reported

[irishpagan1]

I feel so lucky my mother has an Elder tree in her yard. (I love her elderberry apple jelly) I can't wait to try this!!!

[anthson]

Can you omit the honey for this syrup. We have some people who are allergic to it.

[HeatherC19]

You'd need another thickening/sweetening agent probably. I dont see why it couldn't be exchanged for something else though.

[DoveLoveMoon]

another gooey yummy sweetener is agave its from a cactus type plant and is just as good as honey but doesnt have those honey-effects. Im not sure if it works for those w/ allergies to honey but definately check it out!!

[bigmamah5]

I love this video and we have been using this elderberry syrup for about a year, it is easy and great! I just have one complaint, it's cruel to highlight this video when they are out of stock and I can't order them, BUMMER! Keep up the good work.

[WysiWygd]

Sweet! I just bought a lb of Elderberries! This is a great video!