Easy Elderberry Immune Support and Cold Remedy

Did you know that Elderberry is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants? It’s the herbalist’s go-to for all sort of ailments. The world over!

So, I want to share with you one of my favourite ways of using Elderberry. And why I take it daily during autumn and winter months. I also keep it on hand for spring and summer as a tonic for if I feel bit under the weather. Elder berry immune support.

First and foremost, let’s start with what elderberry is. Known as Sambucas to us herbalists. There’s a number of types. But basically, it’s a flowering tree. (I honestly love the flowers too. And they have medicinal qualities, I’ll share another time.) The tiny little white star-shaped flowers turn into deep, dark, lush purple berries.

Which are bitter and best not eaten raw. Ever! Disclaimer at the end if those types of deets interest you.

I use wild-crafted Elderberries which come ready dried, but if you’ve access to a tree you can pick and dry them yourself.

Psst. Come close, Elderberry and Elderflower remedies shorten flue and cold symptoms. I know, I know. Not supposed to give medical advice. But seriously, CHECK THIS LINK,  for the results of the Clinical Review.

And testing is in place to see if Elderberry helps as a preventative to catching flu and flu-like viruses.

My personal experience, is that it lessens symptoms. I take it at the first sign of a cold. Be that in the winter or a summer cold. And if I just generally feel a little icky.

During the autumn and winter of 2021/22 when the C-word virus was at it’s peak, I took a teaspoon daily as an immune boosting tonic. And, if you’re wondering, I stayed healthy all through the outbreak.

But importantly, its something that all the family can enjoy. Make a batch to support you and your family’s immune health.

But, wait…there’s more:

Elderberry is an awesome anti-oxidant. Which, as we know, helps our bodies stay cancer free.

Studies also indicate that Elderberry is good  for our heart health. Reducing the risk of heart disease. With a noted global expansion of heart disease, it’s definitely worth adding to our supplement regimes.

Also: lowering blood sugar, improving cholesterol levels and even useful in lowering uric acid.

This wonderful little berry is chockablock full of Vitamin C. Is high in dietary fibre. And has components that reduce the impact of stress on our bodies.

Hey, and they’re also anti-inflammatory and fight infections.

Surely, you’re now sold on the benefits and are gagging to get some Eldberberry Syrup into your life!

(You can of course, buy it ready made. There’s some really good brands available, but it does come in at a high price point. And making it is simple and a lot cheaper.)

Here goes. Elderberry Immune Support!

Jacqui’s Easy Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients

I cup dried elderberries

6 cups filtered water

thumb-sized piece of ginger (optional)

10 to 15 dried cloves (optional)

1.5 cups raw local honey or maple syrup (raw honey is NOT recommended for babes under a year) Agave syrup may be an alternate, but I haven’t tried it myself. If you do, let me know how it goes.

Method

Pop berries and water into a pan over heat. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer on a low hear for 30 minutes. No need to cover.

Strain the berries out and discard them. The good stuff has been extracted the liquid is ready for step two.

Roughly chop the ginger. No need to peel, just give it a wash. If using, add ginger and cloves to the elderberry liquid and bring to a boil.

Turn to simmer, and keeping an eye on it with a quick stir now and again, let it reduce. It takes about 45 to 60  minutes to come to 3 cups of concentrated goodness.

Removed from the heat. Strain the ginger and cloves out. Discard them.

Let it cool down a bit. Then, while just warm, stir in the honey or maple syrup.

Bottle in glass. Label. And finally, refrigerate.

As I mentioned, I take a teaspoon of Elderberry Immune Support Syrup each day. But a couple of years ago, when I had a really nasty cold, I upped the ante. Went with a big ol’ tablespoon.

I made a lemon and ginger tea. (That’s lemon slices and ginger, with some honey, steeped in hot water.) Instead of the honey, I replace it with my elderberry syrup. Super yummy!

So, there you have it. A simple, easy and delicious way to boost your immune system, take care of your heart. And fight off those colds and flus that seem to hover around all year now.

If you don’t fancy making your own, there are several good brands around. Check out your local health food store. But…they’re a lot more expensive than making your own. So, why not have a go!

And perhaps, you’ll share with family and friends. (I do.) The gift of health. How cool is that!

Enjoy! And make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss any of my health and well-being tips and tricks. I’ve more than 30 years experience as a professional health practitioner, and another 15 being a health conscious mum.

Big love,

DISCLAIMER:  I do have to tell you that raw Elderberries aren’t good for you. The raw berries, bark and leaves contain a substance called lectin. Ingestion can lead to an upset tummy. Mother Nature’s natural warning is that the berries are really quite bitter.

But once cooked, the lectin, which is water soluble, dissolves and disapates.

And, Dearheart, you may read on the net that Elderberries contain cyanide. Yes, it’s true they do. But, in such teeny-tiny amounts that you’d have to ingest enough choke an elephant before something nasty happened. And…btw…apples contain arsenic. Bet you’ve eaten a few of those in your time! These naturally occurring components come from the soil.

So, unless you’ve an allergy, please enjoy you’re Elderberry Syrup.