Elderberry Syrup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much homemade elderberry syrup should I take daily? ›

Preventative Use: Take ½ teaspoon daily during the cold and flu season. During Illness: Increase to ½ teaspoon 2 times a day at the onset of symptoms.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup vs Store Bought

By comparison, my homemade syrup is about a quarter of the price of over-the-counter options. The other draw back of over-the-counter versions is the sweetener, usually it's glucose. My recipe uses raw honey as a sweetener, which has so many healing properties.

Some of our customers take it year-round, others take it only when they are seeking to support their immune system. An adult serving is approximately one tablespoon and a child serving is approximately one teaspoon. You can take elderberry once a day or up to three times daily if needed.

Possibly Effective for

Flu (influenza). Taking a specific elderberry extract syrup (Sambucol, Nature's Way) seems to reduce flu symptoms when taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms. But it might not be helpful in some people, including those with lung conditions or children under 12 years of age.

Elderberry syrup, gummies, and juice are made from processed berries, which remove the poisonous compounds to make them safe to digest. The common side effects of taking raw elderberry plant products, such as fruit, flower, leaves, bark, or root include: Stomach problems. Nausea and vomiting.

Although there is no specific time of day to take elderberry, you'll maximize its benefits by using it consistently on a regular basis. You can choose whether to use it morning, afternoon or evening. It may be best to use elderberry for short periods of time to support healthy immune function, and then take a break.

When it comes to maintaining a strong immune system, black elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are the preferred choice.

Without this heat processing it is not shelf-stable, and the syrup MUST be refrigerated or frozen. Elderberry jelly has many of the same delicious benefits, although it does have more sugar too.

Cooking elderberries is not just a culinary step; it's a safety measure. To neutralize toxins, specifically cyanide-inducing glycosides, heat treatment is a must. Boiling elderberries for at least 30 minutes is the go-to method. This ensures the destruction of harmful compounds.

Because elderberry may stimulate the immune system, it could interfere with medications taken to suppress the immune system. These medications include corticosteroids (prednisone) and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases. People with organ transplants should also avoid elderberry.

Is elderberry safe for the liver? ›

Exposure to elderberry could be responsible for either the initiation or progression of autoimmune liver disease in the setting of genetic predisposition and molecular mimicry. Therefore, obtaining a meticulous history pertaining to medications is warranted, with an emphasis on over-the-counter supplements.

There are several elderberry supplement options and preparations, such as gummies, lozenges, syrups and teas, but the most popular and best way to consume elderberry is in syrup form.

Honey: for sweetening and throat-soothing qualities. If you prefer, it is possible to make this with sugar or maple syrup instead of honey, for a vegan syrup.

Elderberries can be toxic when eaten raw but are safe to eat when cooked. The standard preparation method of boiling them down to make a “syrup” or “gummy” makes them safe to eat (figure 1).

Elderberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which are known to boost the immune system and fight inflammation. Both gummies and syrup offer these benefits, but they might be more suitable for different needs and preferences.

Elderberry syrup is known as a powerful cold preventative and remedy. Just one cup of berries contains about 58% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It's also a great source of antioxidants — which may protect your cells from damage and help prevent heart disease and cancer.

Elderberry can generally be consumed at any time of day—in the morning, at night, or in between. Since it's a food itself, you could take Elderberry on an empty stomach if it seems to work for you. It can also be taken with food.

For example, a recommended serving size of elderberry syrup is 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) per day containing 3.8 grams of elderberry. For lozenges, one manufacturer recommends taking 1 lozenge (4 grams) containing 12 milligrams as needed up to four times per day.