Homemade Organic Elderberry Syrup to Boost Your Immune System

Taking care of our health with natural remedies is a top priority in our family. Over the last 3 years, we have found ourselves at the doctor's office only ONCE (and it was me, back in January 2020 after a stressful week-long work event). I believe our ability to stay so healthy has a lot to do with the way we manage our everyday lifestyle. We are cautious about eating processed food, NEVER take prescription meds, and live an active outdoorsy lifestyle.

I was first introduced to elderberry back in 2019 when I launched Desert Bath Company. Not only did I want to find the best ingredients for my bath & body products, but I wanted our lifestyle to match that same healthy regimen. Since then, we have been slowly transitioning to more organic & natural recipes; from DIY laundry detergent to everyday immunity boosters... and now I get to share them with all of you!

Benefits of taking elderberry:

• Boosts the immune system

• Can shorten the duration of flu

• Helps fight against the cold due to its vitamin A and C content

• Natural antidepressant

• Anti-inflammatory properties; reduces swelling & pain

• Combats the internal consequences of aging

• Natural diuretic that promotes bowel movements

Serving size:

Adults: 1 tablespoon daily

Children: 1 teaspoon daily

If you or your children feel sickness coming on, take up to 4 servings a day.

Organic Elderberry Syrup Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

1 cup dried organic elderberries

(look for the botanical name "sambucus nigra". These are anthocyanin-rich elderberries that are commonly used for supplements)

3 cups filtered water

3/4 cup organic blue agave or organic raw honey (for taste, especially necessary if you have kiddos or a husband with a sweet tooth)

1 tsp organic ground cinnamon

1 tsp organic ground ginger

How to make Homemade Elderberry Syrup:

Step 1: Measure & combine elderberries, water, cinnamon & ginger into a large pot.

Step 2: Bring combined ingredients to a boil and stir occasionally.

Step 3: Set to low heat, cover pot and let simmer for 1 hour. Stir every 10 minutes.

Step 4: Remove from heat & let cool for 20 minutes.

Step 5: Hover a metal strainer over a glass jar or pitcher. Pour cooled ingredients into strainer. Use a wood spoon to press down on the elderberries and drain them, as there will still be lots of "juice" that you don't want to go to waste!

Step 6: Add 3/4 cup organic blue agave or organic raw honey and stir well. Use a spatula to scrape all the agave/honey into your jar (once again, we don't want to waste any ingredients!)

Step 7: Pour into an airtight glass jar (if not already in one). I personally like to use the half pint (8oz) mason jars and this recipe filled exactly 3 jars.

Label & date so you can monitor the expiration time.

Tip: don't write on the jar lid itself, use a sticker so you can reuse the jar for your next batch when you run out.

When stored in a airtight glass container, this organic elderberry syrup will stay good in the refrigerator for up to two months!