Elderberry syrup is a traditional flu remedy. Studies have shown that it stops replication of the flu virus. Ever since I ran across this recipe for Elderberry syrup, I have made up a batch of it every fall, to keep on hand through flu season.
I am posting the recipe and dosage here, and I have uploaded a YouTube video that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make it. A tip of the hat to "Summerthyme," who shared this on the forum several years ago.
ELDERBERRY SYRUP
Ingredients:
7 cups elderberry juice
8 3/4 cups honey
3 cups 80-proof vodka
To reconstitute dry berries, put 1 cup of berries in a quart jar and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. If they soak it up, add a bit more. Place in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours. Then strain through a clean cloth, squeezing every bit of liquid you can out, even twisting the cloth to get the last drop. It will take 3 or more quarts of berries to make the 7 cups of liquid called-for in the recipe. (I use this same method with fresh berries. ~ G.F.)
Warm the elderberry juice to hot, but not boiling temperature -- 150-180F. Stir in the honey, and continue stirring until it is completely dissolved..
Remove from heat and stir in the vodka.
Pour into sterile jars or bottles. (Sterilize by boiling Mason jars for 5-10 minutes.)
Cap and label. Store in a cool, dark place.
DOSAGE: As a preventative during flu season, take 1-2 tablespoons twice a day. As treatment for flu, take same dose every 3-4 hours until symptom-free for a week. For children under 12, give half the adult dose.
For toddlers and infants, talk to your physician. But, lacking that, 1 teaspoon given at the same intervals as the adult dose should be adequate.
ALTERNATIVE (NON-ALCOHOLIC) RECIPE
7 cups elderberry juice
14 cups honey
Follow instructions for original recipe, just leaving out the vodka.
ALTERNATIVE (NO HONEY) RECIPE
(Best for babies under a year old.)
7 cups elderberry juice
11 1/2 cups sugar.
Stir until the sugar is dissolved in the hot juice, then bottle.
NOTE: Non-alcoholic syrup should be refrigerated, but the recipe with the vodka can be stored in any cool,dark place.
I have made this recipe with wild berries I picked myself, and with dried berries from Monterey Bay Spice Co., with equally good results.
I am posting the recipe and dosage here, and I have uploaded a YouTube video that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make it. A tip of the hat to "Summerthyme," who shared this on the forum several years ago.
ELDERBERRY SYRUP
Ingredients:
7 cups elderberry juice
8 3/4 cups honey
3 cups 80-proof vodka
To reconstitute dry berries, put 1 cup of berries in a quart jar and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. If they soak it up, add a bit more. Place in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours. Then strain through a clean cloth, squeezing every bit of liquid you can out, even twisting the cloth to get the last drop. It will take 3 or more quarts of berries to make the 7 cups of liquid called-for in the recipe. (I use this same method with fresh berries. ~ G.F.)
Warm the elderberry juice to hot, but not boiling temperature -- 150-180F. Stir in the honey, and continue stirring until it is completely dissolved..
Remove from heat and stir in the vodka.
Pour into sterile jars or bottles. (Sterilize by boiling Mason jars for 5-10 minutes.)
Cap and label. Store in a cool, dark place.
DOSAGE: As a preventative during flu season, take 1-2 tablespoons twice a day. As treatment for flu, take same dose every 3-4 hours until symptom-free for a week. For children under 12, give half the adult dose.
For toddlers and infants, talk to your physician. But, lacking that, 1 teaspoon given at the same intervals as the adult dose should be adequate.
ALTERNATIVE (NON-ALCOHOLIC) RECIPE
7 cups elderberry juice
14 cups honey
Follow instructions for original recipe, just leaving out the vodka.
ALTERNATIVE (NO HONEY) RECIPE
(Best for babies under a year old.)
7 cups elderberry juice
11 1/2 cups sugar.
Stir until the sugar is dissolved in the hot juice, then bottle.
NOTE: Non-alcoholic syrup should be refrigerated, but the recipe with the vodka can be stored in any cool,dark place.
I have made this recipe with wild berries I picked myself, and with dried berries from Monterey Bay Spice Co., with equally good results.