Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Makes about 8 oz syrup

Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried organic elderberries (about 1.2 oz)
• 1 3/4 cups filtered water
• 1 cup honey or sugar (measure the elderberry extract after straining, and use equal parts sweetener by volume)

Optional add-ins

• Reishi – 2 inch slice, broken into pieces
• Rose hips- 2-3 tbsp
• Fresh ginger-2 inch piece, peeled and chopped
• Cinnamon chips-2-3 tsp
• Cloves-2-3
• Other: spices like star anise, allspice, cardamom, etc.

Supplies

• Stovetop
• Medium pot
• Large measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Ladle/large spoon
• Medium/large bowl
• Strainer and cheesecloth, or juice press
• Quart jar or several smaller jars
• Labels
• Food-safe gloves

Instructions:

Decoction: Measure dried berries and remove any stems. Add the reishi, rose hips, fresh ginger and spices and add to pot. Add filtered water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 25-30 min. Stir occasionally. When it’s done, remove from heat and let cool until it’s easy to handle.

Straining:  Once cooled, strain the extract by pouring the extract through a mesh filter lined with unbleached cotton cheesecloth. Bundle the cloth and squeeze the juice out of the berries (this gets messy! Wear food-safe gloves and not your best clothes.)

Adding honey: Measure the volume of the strained extract (it’ll be around 4-5 fl oz). Add equal amount (by volume) of the sweetener – honey* or raw sugar. Gently heat to dissolve, then cool and bottle into sanitized jars. *Do not give honey to infants

Storing/Preserving: Adding equal parts of the sweetener helps slow microbial growth, but this syrup will still need to be kept in the fridge. It may last 6 months to a year in the fridge. *If syrup develops mold, throw it out

To extend the shelf life, you can also add 20% of an 80 proof alcohol (like brandy). Or you can can the jars of syrup or freeze for later use (if freezing, do not fill syrup to the top- it will expand). Make sure to label with the date and the ingredients.

How to use:

Take 1-2 tsp, up to 4 times daily for general immune support. You can take straight, add to tea, waffles or pancakes, ice cream, etc.

Resources & References

• Elderberry Syrup, Wild Remedies by Rosalee de la Foret (pg 249)
• How to Make Elderberry Syrup for Immune System Support, Mountain Rose Herbs https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/elderberry-syrup-recipe
• Reishi, Southeast Medicinal Plants, Coreypine Shane pg 202

Herbs & Supplies: Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals, Frontier Herbs

Contact Info

Lisa Fouladbash, Clinical Herbalist and owner of Sequoia Herbals

sequoiaherbals@gmail.com | Sequoiaherbals.com | Ig/fb @sequoiaherbals