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When my children were young and had bad coughs, I relied heavily on elderberry syrup to reduce symptoms.
Small doses throughout the day kept mucous to a minimum which reduced the severity and frequency of coughing spells at night. Unlike some home remedies, this beneficial cold and flu supplement tastes amazing, so they always asked for it. This made my job much easier on busy days.
I never realized until that particular time that this common, nondescript little berry, particularly when concentrated into elderberry syrup, packed such a powerful punch when it comes to managing cough symptoms. The fact is, elderberry in many different forms has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat flu, colds, and sinusitis as well as coughs.
When I was first introduced to this remedy, I purchased the syrup from our family chiropractor. It was pricey, but definitely worth it especially for my youngest child, who was only 15 months at the time.
I have since learned that it is extremely easy and cost-effective to make elderberry syrup yourself.
Before we launch into a recipe, let’s overview the benefits of elderberry as outlined in the scientific literature.
Elderberry Syrup Benefits in Scientific Literature
Elderberry syrup is not just good for when you are sick either. It is a highly effective preventative too as it is loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin C and immune-supporting minerals.
Scientific research is supportive of the use of elderberries for illness. In one study, elderberry extract inhibited several strains of influenza and reduced symptoms. Another study found that elderberry syrup flavonoids were effective against the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus.
In the most compelling study, a randomized trial of 60 patients aged 18-54 suffering from flu symptoms for 48 hours or less received 15 ml (3 teaspoons) of elderberry syrup or a placebo 4x per day for five days. Researchers observed that “Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and the use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo”.
Besides being effective at preventing and reducing symptoms, elderberry syrup also has highly practical applications as well. It is delicious on pancakes and waffles or drizzled on homemade ice cream as a sore throat remedy when something cold is especially welcome.
In addition, elderberry syrup can help get less appealing whole food supplements like cod liver oil down the hatch for your little ones.
Tip: A teaspoon of elderberry syrup is a fantastic chaser after the daily dose of cod liver oil. If your kids dislike the taste of cod liver oil, a spoon of elderberry syrup afterward will placate them. It is a tasty treat that will quickly eliminate any aftertaste and help prevent fishy burps.
I would recommend making a batch of this elderberry syrup and having on hand all year long. It is helpful anytime colds, flu and coughs are making the rounds in your household. It is a great supplement to use at the start of the school year too!
Suggested Dosage
A single teaspoon of homemade elderberry syrup once or twice a day is sufficient as a preventative measure. If illness strikes, use more as necessary, with up to 3 teaspoons, 4x per day as used in the randomized study described above.
Please note that because of its potency, homemade elderberry syrup can bring on loose stools in some children and adults. This is not a problem and actually part of the detoxification and healing process of the elderberries. If the stools become too loose for your comfort level, back off the dosage a bit.
Babies and Children Under Age 1
For young children, half the maximum dosage is recommended. In addition, replace the raw honey in the recipe below with date syrup. This traditional whole sweetener is highly nutritious, is safe for very young children and possesses anti-bacterial properties similar to raw honey according to recent research.
This recipe for elderberry jello shots is a great way for little ones on solid food to take their daily dose.
Is Elderberry Safe for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women?
Surveys indicate that many women use elderberry syrup during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, there is currently not enough scientific evidence one way or the other to conclusively recommend it.
The journal Frontiers in Pharmacology suggests that “due to lack of evidence of efficacy and safety, health care personnel should not advice (sic) pregnant women to use echinacea or elderberry against upper respiratory tract infection.”
How to Make Elderberry Syrup
The simple elderberry syrup recipe below contains only 3 ingredients: elderberries, raw honey and water. While any type of raw honey is fine for this recipe, manuka honey that is UMF certified 10+ is the most potent type. A single batch is enough to take your family through an entire cold and flu season.
Hint: start giving it to your children a few days before school starts! This recipe is BOTH anti-viral and anti-bacterial.
Simple Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
This 3 ingredient elderberry syrup is simple and fast to make and uses raw honey to boost healing and antibiotic properties.
Ingredients
- 3 cups filtered water
- 1.5 cups raw honey preferably local
- 1.5 cups dried elderberries (or 2-3 cups fresh) preferably organic
Instructions
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Place dried elderberries (or fresh, ripe elderberries if you have them locally) and filtered water in a medium saucepan.
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Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes. The liquid will reduce by about one-third.
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Remove pan from heat and mash the elderberries to release any remaining juice.
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Strain the mixture into a glass bowl using a cheesecloth (I use these).
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When the liquid has come to body temperature or lower (about 30 minutes), gently stir in the raw honey and mix thoroughly. Check the syrup with a digital food thermometer to be sure it is lower than 118 F/ 48 C. Any higher will destroy the antibiotic properties of the raw honey.
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Store and label in small, glass, amber bottles (I use these). See the picture above.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
The amounts listed above make a potent syrup that is optimal for serious conditions like flu and bronchitis. For a thinner syrup that is suitable as a preventative and great for minor illnesses like colds, use these measurements:
- 1/2-3/4 cups elderberries
- 3 cups filtered water
- 3/4 – 1 cup honey
Substitute date syrup for the raw honey if making this syrup for children under the age of 1. This brand is recommended.
It is very important to allow the syrup to cool before stirring in the raw honey (or date syrup) else the heat will destroy the antibiotic properties. Raw manuka honey is the most potent honey to use for this syrup (this is the brand I use). But it is also quite strong tasting. A sweeter local honey may be more accepted by your children!
This mixture will last many months in the refrigerator. A cool, dark pantry is also a great place to store it. The raw honey acts as a natural preservative.
Please do not make this recipe with the juice of pressed, raw elderberries. Raw elderberry syrup is a big no-no for the reasons cited in the linked article. Raw is not always better!
Commercial vs Homemade
If after reviewing the elderberry syrup recipe above, you decide that making it won’t be an option at this time, buying it is an option. Commercial brands are not as potent or effective as homemade elderberry syrup made with raw honey.
Raw honey is a natural antibiotic, adding to the strong anti-inflammatory benefits of elderberries.
Commercially made syrups are watered down compared with making it yourself. You can taste the difference in strength if you compare the two. However, they can definitely be used in a pinch (this brand is one of the best).
Once you have all the quality ingredients on hand, you can make a batch of syrup with fresh or dried elderberries at that time.
Making Syrup from Elderberry Juice
A new option for making no-cook elderberry syrup has recently become available. The method uses concentrated elderberry juice instead of dried or fresh berries.
There are a couple of brands I’ve examined that look acceptable (this brand is the best in my opinion).
You simply blend in raw honey to taste and have syrup in a matter of minutes instead of cooking the berries. It is a good option for those pressed for time. However, going this route is a bit more expensive.
Be sure to avoid brands that dilute the elderberry juice with more than small amounts of water or blend in cheaper juices like apple and grape. Read labels carefully!
References
(1) Elderberry Extract Inhibits Several Strains of Influenza
(2) Elderberry Flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 Infection in Vitro
(3) Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Elderberry Extract
More Information
Fire Cider Master Tonic: Natural Flu Anti-viral
The Best Vegetables for Boosting Immunity
Top 10 Ways to Boost Immunity
Hi, I made some of this last year and still have some in the fridge. Will it be ok to use now? My daughter has been off school for 4 days and needs a boost! Thank you
If you kept it refrigerated, should be ok…hopefully you made with raw honey which would act as a preservative. Taste it first yourself and see.
I accidentally added the honey to the elderberries and water instead of waiting til the end. Is the syrup still effective since I boiled the honey and should I make a new batch?
You can still use the syrup…it won’t be dangerous to use, in other words. But it won’t be as effective as the honey’s antimicrobial properties have been destroyed.
What about the vitamin C content which is destroyed with heat? Do you think this still contains any vitamin C?
Probably some is destroyed, yes. About half the vitamin C in milk survives pasteurization, so that might be a good indicator for the amount that remains after cooking elderberries to make syrup perhaps
Have you ever tried fermenting anything with elderberries? Do you need to cook them first. I’m not into wine, but maybe in kombucha, as vinegar, with water kefir, or anything else creative?
Do you have to remove berries from stems before boiling?
Remove the stems and leaves as best you can but if there is a small amount left before boiling that is ok.
I was curious, would using a steamer to extract the juice be just as well as cooking the elderberry?
I’ve not ever tried that method, but I don’t think it would work well as you wouldn’t get enough juice to make proper syrup. If you try it yourself, please let us know how it goes?
After making the syrup and keeping it refrigerated, how long will it last? Expiration time?
Several months.
I followed the directions listed and after boiling my syrup looks more like liquid. It’s not thick like syrup. Not sure what I did wrong but is there a way to thicken it? Will it thicken in the fridge? Also is using agave to sweeten okay?
Adding the honey after they liquid cools thickens it up. Do not use agave. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/agave-nectar-latest-health-food-scam/
I’ve been making this for several years. This year I had to buy some elderberries from Poland, since my regular supplier was sold out at the time. Ever since then, my syrup keeps fermenting within a month, sometimes faster. I’m making the preventative type, so less honey. Should I make it with more honey? Or is it possible for some elderberries to ferment more quickly in the syrup? It’s just so weird since I’ve never had this happen before, but this is the 3rd batch it’s happened to since I switched where I bought them from. I appreciate your help!
Sounds like you aren’t refrigerating after making it. I would suggest that as it will prevent the fermenting. Probably the new berry source is higher in (natural) sugars.
Can I use this recipe but use elderberry extract powder? It is very economical. But, I’m not sure how much to substitute for the elderberries in your recipe.
No, you cannot use elderberry extract powder or this recipe. Only fresh elderberries or elderberry juice.