Many symptoms connected to colds and flus are effectively treated with this tiny berry. Coughs, fevers and sinus infections all bow to elder’s healing touch.  This makes elderberry a rare herb as it not only prevents infection but also treats the infection after it’s taken hold.

Elder is an important herb for the immune system, but it needs to be used as a daily supplement. Elder constituents do not cling to the tissue, which means daily treatment is not only safe but necessary to block viruses. It doesn’t overtax the immune system or cause imbalances in the digestive tract that allow yeast infections to take hold, either, making it safe for daily consumption.

Elderberry is best for flu and symptoms of flu. It stimulates the immune system. But elderberries are not a good choice for people with an autoimmune disorder.

Elderberries are packed with nutrients including minerals like iron, potassium, phosphorus, and copper, as well as vitamins A, B, and C, as well as dietary fiber.  This powerful berry is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, astringent, and alterative.

Use elderberry for:

• flus
• coughs
• colds
• fevers
• skin inflammations
• allergies
• ear, nose and throat infections
• weak immune systems

Elderberry Syrup

Taking your daily medicine as this syrup is not like taking other medicines at all.  This syrup is delicious and you won’t have to hold your family down to get them to take it.

You start with the basic ingredients and then you can add the options if you wish.  I like to make ours with elderberries, elderflowers, and ginger.  But the other options make your syrup even better and more healing.  I add rose hips when the flu season is on.  When my husband gets a deep “bronchial” cough, I add elecampane root.

Basic Ingredients: 

• 4 cups cold water
• 2 cups dried elderberries
• raw local honey (or agave syrup for a vegan recipe)
• glass bottle (like this one)

Directions:

1. Combine the berries and herbs with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and mash the berries in the liquid mixture.
4. Strain the berries and herbs through cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice.
5. Measure the liquid and add an equal amount of honey. Gently heat the honey and juice for a few minutes until well combined. Do not boil!
6. Bottle in sterilized glass.

Options:

• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger root or  dried ginger root
• 1  cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips
• 1/4 cup whole rose hips
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1/4 cup dried elder flowers (added the last 5 minutes of cooking)
• 1/8 cup dried elecampane root

Benefits for other ingredients:

• ginger root – digestive trouble, menstrual cramps, or nausea, or to soothe a cold, cough, or sore throat
• cinnamon – inflammation, have antioxidant effects, and fight bacteria, tastes great
• rosehips – contains vitamin C to prevent and treat colds, flu, and vitamin C  deficiencies
• cloves – aid in digestion, fighting against cancer, protecting the liver, boosting the immune system, controlling diabetes, preserving bone quality, and containing anti-mutagenic and anti-microbial properties, as well as fighting against oral diseases and headaches
• elderflowers – antioxidant properties and an antiviral effect, to help fight off colds and flu
• elecampane root – expectorant, anti-tussive, sedative, anti-fungal, relaxing, warming, and anti-microbial. Elecampane can soothe bronchial tube linings and act as an expectorant for lung cleansing

Dosage:

Standard dose is 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp for kids and 1/2 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp for adults. If the flu does strike, we take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.

Storage:

Store in refrigerator up to 3 months, but it’s usually all gone by then.

Caution:

Women breast-feeding or pregnant should avoid elderberries to be safe.  A better choice may be Ginger Syrup.  Do not give honey to your child under one year.  Please do your own research before taking any herbs or natural remedies.