Sambucus nigra <\/em>berries (organic) from a reputable supplier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n🍯 How to make elderberry syrup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The fun part! Before we begin – the recipe in its most basic sense involves simmering elderberries with water, straining them out then adding honey – you can make the recipe your own by adding citrus zest, spices, and even some complementary herbs, which I have done here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step one is to make a herbal decoction, which in simple terms, is a long simmering of plant material that are course in nature – ie your berries, roots or bark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, combine your fresh or dried elderberries with water, then add any tougher ingredients like cinnamon sticks, vanilla, and ginger root. It doesn’t hurt to add your citrus here too purely for extra flavour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A note on water - distilled is ideal to prevent microbial growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nCover and bring to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer and let it cook for 20 minutes, the amount of liquid should reduce by about half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have more delicate herbs you’d like to add to the recipe – leaves, fine stems, flowers (for example – olive leaf – another great anti-viral) then add them in the last 5 minutes of cooking, or in the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the decoction is made, take the lid off and remove from the heat. Leave it to steep another half hour – oh my God it smells delicious at this point!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once cooled, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth, nut milk bag or similar, pressing out as much of the liquid as possible. I like to do this over a pyrex jug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can now discard the berries\/herbs\/spices, and stand the jug of freshly squeezed liquid in a pot with hot water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrom here, add honey – which will act as a natural preservative – use half the remaining volume in honey for a lighter syrup, and equal parts for something thicker (and sweeter). Stir well over low heat until fully dissolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The full dissolving of honey is important, if it separates in the fridge, then it will leave behind a solution without sufficient sugar to preserve, leading to microbial growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Add liquid to a sterilized glass jar or bottle with a cap, gently shake, label and date, and store in the fridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
🥄 Dosing guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n I like to take a tablespoon daily during winter. If you’re actively fighting a cold, increase to three times daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For children and the elderly, a teaspoon daily is a good preventative, increasing the dose to three times daily during infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For small children, half a teaspoon daily is adequate, increasing the dose to three times daily when fighting a cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n