Affordable Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry syrup is a powerful immune boosting herbal remedy for the home kitchen. I have been focused on natural health and giving my family all they need to heal and thrive for many, many years. Of all the things I have learnt over that time, elderberry syrup is in my top five. It is just so simple, effective and affordable!

Elderberry has documented use dating back thousands of years. In the Middle Ages the elderberry tree was called the Holy Tree and revered for its many health benefits. Hippocrates, often known as the father of medicine, was said to have called the elderberry tree ‘nature’s medicine chest’.

Efficacy of Elderberry Syrup

In my experience, I have found elderberry syrup to be better than anything else at boosting our immune systems when we are not feeling well. It only takes one or two doses to pick someone up when a sore throat, headache or other illness rears its ugly head.

Elderberry is definitely not the only natural remedy in my arsenal but it is possible my favorite. I love having it in the fridge, ready and available for whenever we need it. Even my 19 year old, who is not always the most health conscious in the family, will ask Mum for the ‘Magic Juice’ as soon as he starts to feel a little ‘under the weather’. He knows he will bounce back quickly with its help.

Affordability of Elderberry Syrup

As a large family, recently relocating over the ocean, affordability is actually a pretty big deal. Every cent must be counted when it comes to deciding what healthy alternatives we can embrace and what needs to go on the ‘we will try it later’ list.

I love how affordable elderberry syrup is to make. Now if you try to buy it online it can be very expensive. But to make it, there is only one ingredient that I don’t already have in my cupboard and that is the elderberries themselves.

I buy these online through Amazon and last time I bought it, I paid under $40 for a 2lb bag (just over 900 gram) which means it will do for more than three batches of syrup. The recipe I use also calls for honey, lemon juice, cinnamon and ginger and/or turmeric root, which I generally have in my pantry. If for some reason I don’t, they are readily available at a reasonable price in the local supermarket.

The cost of this entire batch of syrup, which makes more than 1/2 a gallon or 2 1/2 liters, is under $20. Remember this is a herbal remedy, not a drink. So we are only taking it about 15ml (1 tablespoon) per dose. So that is going to go a long way.

Simple Method to Brew Elderberry Syrup

One of the beautiful things about making elderberry syrup is that it is super simple. Let me show you how!

Ingredients:

2 cups dried elderberry (or one cup fresh)

8 cups purified water

2 cups raw honey

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 knob ginger (optional)

2 cinnamon sticks (optional)

1 knob turmeric (optional)

Method:

Place dried elderberries in heavy based large pot. Cover with water. Add cinnamon sticks, ginger and turmeric if using. Bring to a gentle boil then reduce to simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Strain out berries and other ingredients. Allow juice to cool slightly but not too much. You want it warm so the honey will melt when you mix it in, but not so hot that it will destroy all of its goodness.

Add honey and lemon juice. Stir until honey is dissolved.

Decant into bottles and store in the refrigerator.

That’s it! So simple but so good.

You may also like to read this article on making your own Simple Sauerkraut