Learn how to make your own Elderberry Syrup to help prevent and fight the flu!

I’ve wanted to make elderberry syrup for quite some time.  But I had two problems:  I didn’t have any elderberries, and I wanted to find a recipe that didn’t require alcohol.  It’s not that I have a problem with alcohol, but I wanted to use the elderberry syrup with my kids, so I wanted to feel completely safe doing so.

The first problem– the missing elderberries– was solved when I bought these elderberries from Frontier Co-op.  I’ve bought several different  herbs from them, and I’ve been very pleased with everything I’ve gotten from them.

On occasion (like at the start of flu season), most companies run out of elderberries, or begin charging a ridiculous amount of money for them.  Because of that, this year I had to order some elderberries from Poland.  I was a little cautious about it, but they came quite quickly, and they have worked well!

The seasons must be different, because it seems like when one is high priced, the other is lower.  So make sure you check prices.

This recipe is simple.  I love simple.  You’re just going to cook those elderberries in water, strain them, and add honey.  There are many other herbs you can add as well, and if you’d like to find out more about the herbs you can add, check out this great post from The Humbled Homemaker, where she talks all about it!

For me, I made this with just the elderberries, water, and honey, mostly because that’s all I had on hand.  Like I said, I ordered the berries in the summer, but I was having a hard time finding an alcohol-free version of the recipe up until I found this recipe.  And at that point, my husband had several co-workers out with the flu, so we needed to get some elderberry syrup in our systems!

I have modified the recipe, as I ended up with far less syrup when I followed the original directions, and I also felt like it was far too sweet.  So when I made the syrup the second time, I changed a few things, and ended up with a final product that I prefer.

This recipe makes 2 quarts.

If you have kids, you probably already know that honey isn’t recommended for kids under 2 years old.  So this isn’t recommended for kids under 2 years old, but if you’re planning to use this for a smaller child, just make it without honey.

To use:

For Prevention:

• Adults: 1 Tbsp. per day
• Children (over 2): 1/2 Tbsp. per day

For when flu-like symptoms hit:

• Adults: 1 Tbsp. four times per day
• Children: 1/2 Tbsp. four times per day

How do you prevent getting sick?  Do you have any fabulous tips to help us out?

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