Lesson 3: Syrups
What you will accomplish in this lesson:
In this lesson you will make one to two cups of elderberry syrup
What you’ll need:
Herbs:
- 1 – 4oz. package of dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra)
Click here to purchase - 5 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 Tablespoon grated ginger
Other ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup honey
Supplies:
- A small saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
About Syrups:
A syrup is an herbal preparation made by adding honey (or other sweetener) to an herbal decoction or infusion (see previous lessons to learn more about decoctions and infusions). The plant constituents are pulled out into the water when making the infusion or decoction. The honey then adds another healing component to the preparation as well as making it delicious.
About Elderberry (and this syrup):
In this lesson we are going to make a syrup using dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra). This syrup is especially helpful for those with colds or flu. The elderberry will assist with the healing while the added cinnamon, ginger and cloves will help the syrup to be warming and the honey adds an antibiotic and quality while also making the syrup soothing for sore throats and coughs. Take 1 tablespoon per hour during illness.
Elderberry syrup is also a wonderful preventative so you can take a few tablespoons of this syrup each day during cold and flu season to help avoid getting sick. Better yet, pour it over your pancakes and benefit from it’s health promoting properties while enjoying this special breakfast treat!
How to make elderberry syrup:
- First put 1/2 cup of dried elderberries into the small saucepan. Add the 5 cloves, cinnamon stick, 1 Tablespoon grated ginger, and 2 cups of water.
- Cover and bring the water to a boil.
- Turn down the heat, leave covered, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by 1/2. This usually takes 20-30 minutes.
- Strain into a bowl and add 1 cup of honey.
How to store your syrup:
Store the syrup in a closed jar in the refrigerator. Syrups have a relatively short shelf life. We generally make these in small batches and store them in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.
How to make this remedy with fresh herbs:
You can also make this syrup using fresh or frozen elderberries. Just use one full cup of berries instead of the 1/2 cup.
Where to learn more…
Use the Search Box on the Member Home Page to find articles and videos on elderberries and syrup making on HerbMentor.com. This will help you find more creative ways to make this remedy with fresh elderberries or other herbs.
Download the Herbalpedia for Sambucus nigra – Elder
…And don’t forget to share stories, get ideas and ask questions on the Forum.
I will be trying this soon. Thank you for all the great recipes.
R
Made this two nights ago. Kids love it. Put it on whole wheat waffles the next morning and in my tea.
We love this syrup! First found this site based one this video being featured on Mountain Rose Herbs. A variation I’ve made on this is adding mullein leaf. Makes it not quite as good for preventative, but at that first sign of cold we’ve had great success. Also a tip for kids: I made some super spicy cold & flu tincture (partly because of the alcohol partly because of the cayenne) and if I mix the syrup and the tincture together then it makes it super easy for the kids to take. Thanks John!
I made this once and it was great. I want to make it again, and I have a question about the honey. Should I use raw honey and let the elder stuff cool down (how much? below 140?) to get the raw honey benefit, or should I use regular honey and add it when the elder stuff is still hot?
OOps- that was a question, not a comment. I think I posted in the wrong place. Will ask elsewhere.
Man, This was an AWESOME syrup!!! My kids love it and so do I!! I made it without the ginger though.
this is so good!! I made it after seeing it on mountain rose herbs