Elderberry Syrup

For a few years now, I’ve been buying elderberry syrup for my boys during the winter months. Elderberry (specifically Sambucus nigra) has strong immunity-boosting qualities and antioxidants, and I want all of the natural superpower possible working for my boys during cold and flu season.

I could go in to all of the reasons elderberry is amazing, but I’ll just direct you to this blog. It’s extensively researched and well-written, so why try to top it? The antioxidant power of the elderberries combined with anti-inflammatory and brain-boosting properites in cinnamon and antioxidant, immune supportive properties of natural, high quality honey make this an excellent medicinal syrup. It took about 30 minutes start to finish, and produced 32 ounces of syrup. I’ll give the boys 1 tsp daily during the week and I’ll take 1 Tablespoon.

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Using the recipe from Wellness Mama, I simply combined 3.5 cups water with 2/3 cups dried elderberries and 1 tsp cinnamon in my InstantPot, then set the pot to Manual, High Pressure for 9 minutes. When it beeped, I manually released the pressure for about 5 more minutes. I then used a potato masher to smash the elderberries, before straining the juice into a large glass bowl. I allowed the juice to cool for about ten minutes, and then stirred in 1 cup of honey. Once the honey was well-dissolved, I poured it all into a mason jar to store in the refrigerator. It has a consistency like juice, making it easy to take with a spoon or medicine syringe. However, elderberry will stain so I recommend taking it over the sink if you’re using a spoon.

*The recipe called for clove and ginger as well, but I opted to omit those. They’re strong flavors, and I don’t want to have to fight with my boys over this each day.