I make GALLONS of this every winter, y’all. Gallons, I tell you. It started with making a batch here and there for my family, and oh, sure, yeah, friend I’m happy to share! And then a patient asked me about what we did to stay well in the winter and asked to buy some and BOOM! The rest is history! Every year, I wonder if it’s just hype and then we generally stay well, so… Plus, here’s a great rundown on elderberry and it’s benefits from Modern Alternative Mama.

 

My favorite recipe is from Wellness Mama (she’s so awesome!) and, over the years, I’ve tweaked hers to our tastes. Here’s a direct link to hers!

 

We take a teaspoon of this syrup 2-3 times per week starting in October-ish for an immune boost and prevention. To be perfectly honest, our jar floats around the fridge and I pull it out when it gets close to the front and I notice it and chase my people around the house with it (or yell like a banshee until they magically appear in my kitchen) and we take some then. Which is generally twice per week, but we’re not scheduled with it.

 

If the flu makes an appearance in our house (which, thankfully, is rare!) or in our circle, I’m MUCh more diligent about my family taking it every other day to daily. The two times we’ve gotten the flu since starting all of our crunchy habits (more here), whoever has the flu takes 1 teaspoon 3-4 times per day and the non-sick people take a teaspoon every morning.

 

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

 

3 oz dried elderberries (I get mine here*)

4 cups water

2 tsp cinnamon (my favorite is this one*)

¾ tsp clove powder (again with this place!*)

A palm sized knob of fresh organic ginger… yeah, weird amount, but it works – peel it and chop it roughly – I use a TON of ginger in mine

1 cup local raw honey^

 

Bring all ingredients except honey to a boil and then turn down to simmer gently. Simmer until reduced by half (ish – I get impatient here sometimes!). Carefully strain liquid into a glass bowl. Make sure you kind of squeeze or mash the berries to get all of the goodness out of them! (Oh, and be slightly careful here – THEY STAIN ALL THE THINGS A MURKY PURPLE! Ask me how I know.) Let this all cool slightly and stir in your honey. Store in a glass or other non-reactive, non-staining container in the refrigerator.

 

(* The links I provide are just places that I buy from and love – they don’t have a clue who I am in most cases and I’m not associated with them or getting anything back! I just want to be super honest with y’all!)

^ If you’re going to give this to anyone UNDER THE AGE OF ONE – omit the honey and use maple syrup to sweeten (yes, sweeten it for sure – it’s VILE and AWFUL just straight, I promise). Honey is NOT SAFE for kiddos under one.

 

As always, if you’re just not in the mood to make it, or don’t have time, I do sell it in my office – and would love to help keep you and your people healthy!

 

More on this later, but I just made a batch of these amazing Elderberry Tart Cherry Gummies from Real Food RN, and, y’all, they’re awesome! My weirdo Skylar even likes them – “but only a little” (and then I caught her getting them out of the fridge for another one 15 minutes later!).

 

Stay well, loves!

xoxo,

Dr. Jamie