With back to school season in full swing, most of us are going to be hit with colds from the new germs we’re being exposed to. Little ones are especially vulnerable during this season which is why I like to have herbal remedies on hand to help ease the discomfort of illness.
One of our favorites is Elderberry syrup. Because this recipe’s sweetness is able to be adjusted to personal preference, there’s little fight from my kids about taking it.
What Are Elderberries?
Over the last few years, elderberries have risen in popularity for their immune boosting properties.
Partial to wet, low-lying areas, these berries are often found near lakes and ponds. They are native to Europe and the U.S. but do not grow in certain western states or Alaska and Hawaii.
Elderberry are part of the plant genus Sambucus which is why you often see ‘Sambucus’ on over the counter supplements. Sambucus Nigra, (European Black Elder), is a tree that grows up to 20 feet tall whereas the Sambucus Canadensis, (American Elderberry), is a small bush-like tree that reaches 8-10 feet.
Although both contain the same health properties, the European Black Elder has the highest concentrations. These small, black berries grow in grape-like clusters and are ready to pick between August and October. Although the elder blossoms can be eaten raw or cooked, elderberries are toxic when raw. They contain glycosides in their seeds which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Cooking the berries removes this poisonous compound and makes them safe to consume.
History
Elderberries have a rich history dating all the way back to 2000 B.C., during the Neolithic era. Their first known documentation for medicinal uses was found inside the book, Anatomie of Elder, by Dr. Martin Blochwich. Historically though, they were documented by Hippocrates around 400 B.C.
In Europe, the elder tree has some of the most folklore attached to it compared to any other European plant. In Scandinavian and European folklore, people believed that Hyldemoer, the Goddess of life and death, inhabited the trees. It was considered dangerous to chop them down due to the threat of the Elder mother’s wrath. Natives would ask the tree for permission to take berries or bark while giving an offering in exchange.
In Indigenous cultures, elder was used medicinally, but they would also use the bark for various woodworking projects. All parts of the wood, (stems, branches, twigs), would be used for instruments and ceremonial purposes. Blowgun darts, flutes, and smoking pipes could be made by hallowing out the stems.
Today, the most common way we hear of elderberries use is by creating a syrup, but this wasn’t always the case. Elderberry used to be used among many cultures for many ailments, not just for the immune boosting benefits. An infusion made from the berries would be taken for urinary tract infections, as a diuretic, and for diseases that caused join inflammation such as arthritis. Infusions made from the bark would be taken to relieve diarrhea and as an external pain reliever. The berries would be made into tonic and salves for various skin conditions. The leaves would be used to treat skin infections as well as to calm swelling and soothe burns.
Benefits
With thousands of medicinal plants across the world, why choose Elderberry over the rest?
The berries and flowers have a vast array of medicinal qualities to aid healing for just about any ailment. They are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, a diuretic, help increase sweating, and aids in removing excess mucous from the body.
The berries themselves contain over half our daily recommended amount of vitamin A and C. Anthocyanins and flavonoids, which are phytochemical compounds that are anti-cancer, antiviral, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, help prevent cardiovascular diseases and fight every day toxins and stressors on the body.
The elder flowers also contain flavonoids and anthocyanins on top of other beneficial compounds. The triterpenes in the flowers have all the same benefits of the flavonoids but they are also antimicrobial. Mucilage is an edible substance that’s secreted by most plants and helps soothe irritated mucous membranes.
Between the flowers and the berries alone, you can see why this used to be a cure all plant for many of our ancestors.
Where To Find?
I have yet to get lucky enough to find an Elderberry plant near me. Picking the berries yourself or sourcing locally would be the best option but if that’s not possible, ordering online works just as well. Frontier Co-Op is the brand I have ordered mine from, which you can find here.
Once you open them, be sure to store them in an airtight container such as a mason jar for long term storage.
Ingredients
This recipe is SO simple and only has 3 ingredients.
- Elderberries (dried or fresh)
- Water
- Honey (or other sweetener of choice)
Although you can use sugar or another sweetener of choice, I strongly recommend raw local honey. Besides honey being beneficial to sore throats, it also aids in killing bacteria. Raw, local honey has these same benefits but with the ability to fight seasonal allergies because it is honey made from the pollen of local plants.
If you are going to be giving this syrup to children under 1 year, DO NOT use honey. I would recommend using agave syrup as an alternative because it is very similar to honey without the concern of infant botulism.
How To
Step 1: Take 1 cup dried elderberries, (2 cups if using fresh), and place them in a saucepan.
Step 2: Pour 3-4 cups over berries until they’re fully covered.
Step 3: Simmer on low for 30-45 minutes
Step 4: Smash the berries in the pan, then strain the entire mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
Step 5: Return liquid to the pot and mix in honey to taste.
Step 6: Once mixed, bottle it in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-3 months.
Dosage
I refer to Rosemary Gladstar’s dosing guidelines when taking herbal medicine.
She recommends that adults take .5-1 teaspoon 3 times daily for 5 days, rest for 2 days, repeating this pattern until the condition subsides. For acute conditions, she recommends take .25-.5 teaspoons every 30-60 minutes until symptoms clear.
For children, the recommended dosage is .25 of the adult dosage.
When working with herbal remedies, it’s important to understand that they are not one size fits all. When you first start working with them, it can seem intimidating and scary, especially if you’re working with children. I always use Rosemary Gladstar’s recommended dosage for herbal remedies when I first begin using something new, but once I’m comfortable with the herb, I can adjust the dosing if I feel necessary.
DISCLAIMER
Please note that if you suffer from any autoimmune diseases such as hashimotos, lyme disease, arthritis, etc., you SHOULD NOT use elderberry. The immune boosting properties that benefit most individuals can actually amplify the autoimmune response in those with these health conditions.
I am not a medical professional. Everything I have shared here is my opinion that I have concluded from my own personal usage and research. You are responsible for your own health and should consult a medical professional before using herbal medicine, especially if you have any known health conditions or if you are pregnant or nursing.
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