Elderberry Syrup is seriously one of the BEST things I've found for our family that acts as a preventative for us not getting sick, as well as boost our immune systems! I make my elderberry syrup with a TON of immune boosting products. If you don't have any or all of them, no worries! As long as you use the base ingredients (Water, Elderberries, Ginger, Clove, Cinnamon and Honey) that's all you technically NEED for Homemade Elderberry Syrup!
Here's a few facts about what I use in my syrup (all of these have a bunch of other health benefits, but I'm keeping it short!)
-Elderberries contain lots of vitamins A, B, and C
-Rose Hips are rich in vitamin C and improves blood circulation
-Echinacea increases the number of white blood cells (which help fight off sickness)
-Goji berries are full of vitamins A & C, iron, fiber, and zinc
-Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
-Cinnamon reduces inflammation, lowers blood sugar levels, & can reduce heart disease risk factors
-Cloves contain fiber and vitamins K and C
-Raw honey is rich in antioxidants
- Lemon Essential Oil from Young Living aids in digestion
-Thieves Essential Oil from Young Living helps boost your immune system, cleanses the digestive system, & it has Antioxidant properties
All you'll need is:
- A pot with a fitting lid
- Mesh Strainer
- 4 Cups of Water
- 1 Cup of Dried Organic Elderberries
- 6 TBSP Organic Echinacea
- 6 TBSP Organic Goji Berries
- 6 TBSP Organic Rose Hips
- 3 TBSP Fresh Grated Ginger
- 3 tsp Cinnamon, or 4ish Cinnamon Sticks
- 2 tsp Clove
- 1 Cup of Raw Honey
- 3-5 Drops of Thieves Essential Oil
- 3 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil
1. First, set out all of the ingredients (notice how I FORGOT to include cloves in this picture and don't make that mistake)
2. Place the water in the pot and add ALL of the ingredients EXCEPT for the honey and essential oils.
I usually grate my ginger more fine than that, however if you're short on time like I am, chunks of ginger work just as well! I've also in a pinch used ginger powder as a substitute and it came out tasting the same, probably didn't have ALL the beneficial properties that fresh ginger has, but like I said, if you're already in the process of making it and your choices are no ginger or ginger powder, I would still opt for the powder!
3. Stir, bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer for 45min. Liquid should be reduced to just above half at this point.
4. Let cool until it's lukewarm, smash the berries and then strain into a glass jar
5. Add honey, lemon and thieves essential oils and shake well
6. Store in fridge for up to 6 weeks (Mason Jars work GREAT to store it!)
Here's some of the products that I use for my elderberry syrup if you need a place to start (Now, the Young Living oils, it's actually WAY cheaper to just become a member and buy the oils directly from them, so that's my personal preference! Here's my link if you want to sign up bit.ly/kelseyschueler )
***You don't HAVE to put all of the extra's in your elderberry syrup! This is just what I use to give our family an extra boost during cold and flu season! The base recipe mentioned above is great if you're just starting out! ***
***Also, remember, babies under 1 should NOT have any honey***
Enjoy and let me know if you try this for your family!
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