Flu Busting Echinacea and Elderberry Syrup
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It is that time of the year…time for sniffles, coughs, colds and the flu.
I have been using a variation of this syrup for the past couple of winters now and we have stayed healthy and our immune systems have been strong.
Granted, we eat a nutrient dense diet full of nourishing foods: clean proteins, healthy fats, bone broths and fermented foods. My family takes a variety of fish oil, vitamin D, magnesium and whole food vitamins and supplements. We do our best to boost our immune system all winter long! We get our sleep, drink a lot of water…taking care of our bodies and our health.
I like to add this echinacea and elderberry syrup to our diets each winter for one more line of defense against the yucky germs traveling around in the winter! We take it like a medicine, on a spoon and also add it to drinks like kombucha tea and pour it over pancakes and yogurt.
This syrup is chock full of immune boosting ingredients! And, you can turn the syrup into gummy candies for your kids!
Echinacea
Echinacea fights inflammation, bacterial and viral infections. It is good for the immune and the lymphatic systems. It is helpful for allergies, colds, flu and other infections. You can read more about echinacea for colds here.
Elderberry
According to Nutritional Healing, elderberry fights inflammation and relieves coughs and congestion . It enhances immune system function, lowers fevers and soothes the respiratory tract. It is very effective against flu viruses.
Cinnamon
According to Nutritional Healing, cinnamon counteracts congestion, warms the body and enhances digestion.
Clove
Clove has antiseptic and anti parasitic properties. Read more about clove benefits.
Ginger
Ginger fights inflammation and stimulates circulation and digestion. It is a strong antioxidant and has antimicrobial properties. It is helpful for headache, indigestion and vomiting, among other ailments. Read more about benefits of ginger here.
Flu Busting Echinacea and Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 1/4 cup dried echinacea
- 1 inch or so of ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 cloves
- 1 cup or less of raw honey
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients, except honey, in a saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer and simmer for 45 minutes or so.
- Strain.
- Let cool.
- When cool, add honey in to taste.
- Then pour into jar.
- Keep in refrigerator and use within 2 months.
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I just made this and I expected it to be thicker. What should the consistency be like? Tastes great though!
Thanks 🙂
Mine isn’t very thick. More viscous than juice but not as thick as maple syrup, I would say!
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
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Just finished making it, been sick a ridiculous amount this year, hoping this helps since we are still having below 0 temps here in VT. One question though, how much should I take a day? Teaspoons, tablespoons, more? Couldn’t find an amount in this post. Thanks a bunch!
That is a good question. We take about a tbsp or two. Sometimes I add it to juice or smoothies too. Hope you enjoy it!
I can’t wait to try this. We’ve been using elderberry syrup for the past 10 months or so and having good results. Thanks for the recipe!
You are welcome! Enjoy!
I hate to be a total dummy, but where on earth does one buy elderberries?
I usually just buy commercially made elderberry syrup. Would love to make my own though.
Not a dummy at all! I link to it in the post. I buy dried elderberries on Amazon. Follow the link!!!
Can I use fresh elderberries for this recipe?
I am sure that would be fine. I don’t know the amount you would need however! There has to be some substitution for fresh to dried!
can I use a drop of clove oil and ginger oil if I don’t have fresh on hand? Why do you have to strain the berries, can’t you just chuck it all in a vitamix after you’ve simmered? Seems like if they’re so healthy for you you should use all of them? Thanks!
You can puree the berries if you like. I prefer to strain as I find the berries get a bit gritty. Up to you! Let me know how it turns out!
When making the Elderberry syrup can you use pure maple syrup instead of the honey? I don’t mind for the older kids but for a baby I don’t want to use honey.
Sure!
What are the differences, nutritionally (and immune boosting) for doing this method verses putting it all in a tincture of alcohol or glycerin?
Is it just quicker? Is a tincture able to pull out more of the properties of these herbs than just boiling them would?
Thanks!!
Not sure!
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Assuming from the comments, this is an older post. BUT I’m so glad I found this because of the recent pandemic and health concerns! I’m all about boosting the immune system!
Can I freeze the syrup?
I never have, but I bet you can!