ACarroll Wellness Blog

Elderberry Syrup

Many of you use the recipe for elderberry syrup that I posted on my blog a few years back.  I'm updating with new information and a new recipe.  Please update your bookmarks!  (I will have a link to this post on the previous recipe page, as well.)

 

Elderberry has been shown to inhibit the replication of cold and flu viruses. In studies, it has been shown to be effective as both a preventative and treatment of influenza types A and B (study link here). An article on the Franklin Institute of Wellness website discusses another study on elderberry and its use in preventing colds and flu during travel (article link here).  A meta-analysis on elderberries done by the Franklin Institutute of Wellness: (link here).

 

In clinical studies on elderberry, a 38% concentration of elderberry is used so this recipe has been modified to replicate that concentration. 

180 grams of dried elderberries

(if you do not have a scale, this is roughly 1 3/4 cups of elderberries)

3 cups filtered water

1 cup honey

(you can substitute maple syrup or a simple sugar syrup)

Optional add-ins for flavor:

stick of cinnamon

1 tsp grated fresh ginger root

4 whole cloves

 

Directions:

Bring water and elderberries (and any optional flavor add-ins) to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer.  Continue to simmer the elderberries uncovered for a minimum of 30 minutes.

( This is an important step as there are constituents in elderberries that can cause nausea and vomiting if they are not deactivated by heat and allowed to evaporate.  An instant pot should not be used to make elderberry syrup as it will still contain these constituents with that method.  ) 

The goal is to reduce the liquid in the pot to 1 cup.  If the water is evaporating too quickly during the simmer, just add more water.  If there is more than 1 cup of liquid after 30 minutes, continue the simmer until only 1 cup of extract remains.  Strain out the berries and add the cup of extract to the 1 cup of honey.  Mix well.  Store in the refrigerator.  Use within 2 months (can be frozen for longer shelf life). 

 

Dosing for prevention of cold and flu:

Adults:  1 Tb of syrup up to 4 x per day

Children:  1 tsp of syrup up to 4 x per day

Elderberry is active in the body for only a couple of hours, so during times of illness, the dose can be taken more frequently (every 2 hours) for a short period of time.

Because elderberry is a considered a culinary herb, it is relatively safe for most people.  Those with autoimmune diseases or taking immune suppressant drugs should use elderberry with caution as the herb enhances the immune system.  In these cases, a smaller dose may be helpful without causing unwanted reactions. 

 

Resources:

Monograph. Sambucus nigra (elderberry) Altern Med Rev. 2005;10(1):51-55.

White Chamomile Citrus Tea

White Chamomile Citrus Tea

1 Tablespoon white tea

1 Tablespoon chamomile

 1 Teaspoon Lemon peel

1 Teaspoon Orange peel

 

Steep 1-2 teaspoons of the tea blend in hot water for 2-3 minutes.

The above recipe will make about 4-5 cups of tea.

The majority of my tea 'testers' gave this blend a thumbs up.

Enjoy! 

Oolong Hibiscus Tea

(photo credit:  Sabrina Ivy)

 

Oolong Hibiscus Tea

1 Tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers

1/2 Tablespoon oolong tea leaves

1/2 Tablespoon chamomile 

1/2 Tablespoon stevia

 

Steep 1-2 teaspoons of the tea blend in hot water for 5 minutes.

The above recipe will make about 5-6 cups of tea.

 

The majority of my tea 'testers' gave this blend a thumbs up.

Enjoy! 

Elderberry Spiced Punch

A fun way to get the health benefits of elderberry during the Christmas season!

 

You will need:

• 1/4 Cup dried elderberries
• 2 cups filtered water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 20 whole cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 star anise (optional)
• 2 cups purple juice  (I used Trader Joe's Power of 7 juice)
• 1 cup orange juice
• honey (optional)

Place elderberries, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise and nutmeg in a covered saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Strain.

To the elderberry liquid, add the rest of the ingredients.  Give it a taste and if needed, add a tablespoon or two of honey.  (Recipe will yield about a quart).  Enjoy warm! 

Anti-Inflammatory Balm

Needed:  

1/2 oz of calendula (This will be more than you think as it is a very 'fluffy herb'.)

1/2 oz of plantain

1/2 cup of coconut oil

1/2 oz of beeswax

20 drops of lavender essential oil

 

Infuse the calendula and plantain in the coconut oil by placing these ingredients in an oven-safe dish in a 300 degree oven.  Turn off the oven and allow to infuse for several hours. 

Next, strain the herbs.  I do this by using a piece of organic muslin and squeezing the oil out of the herbs.  

Add the beeswax to the oil, reheating gently if needed to get the beeswax to dissolve.  Allow the oil to cool, but before it sets, add the lavender essential oil and pour into containers to cool.

Excellent for when you need a soothing balm (bug bites and minor skin irritations).

Elderberry Syrup

Recipe and information updated!  Click Here!  

 

My eldest son came down with a cold.  We had a bit of elderberry syrup in the fridge from a couple of months ago - but I knew he was going to deplete that jar.  So.......... it's time to make more!

Elderberries are very good for the immune system. They are particularly good at fighting influenza - in fact, some studies show that taking elderberry syrup is better than vaccines at preventing the flu! It can be used both as a defensive measure against respiratory illness as well as an offensive treatment.

I don't mind taking it straight, but the rest of my household prefers to mix it in a bit of orange juice.  Once the weather starts to cool down, I will take it daily!  Here's the recipe (you don't need the echinacea if you are using it as a preventative):

 

2 cups filtered water

1/2 cup dried elderberries 

1 Tb grated fresh ginger (optional)

1 TB dried echinacea (optional)

cinammon stick

1 cup honey

Bring all the ingredients to a boil except the honey.  Let it simmer on the stove (warning: it doesn't have a great smell while it's cooking) for about 40 minutes or until the liquid reduces to about half.

Strain the liquid and mix in the honey until dissolved.  Keeps in the fridge for a month or two.

As a preventive, I just take a spoonful a day.  As a treatment, we take a spoonful several times a day!

If you plan on making this for flu season, it's best to get the elderberries now because in the fall, many of the herb stores will sell out of them!