This elderberry syrup is very effective in getting rid of colds and flu. It is simple to make and works great as a homemade cough syrup too!
Elderberry Syrup for Cold and Flu
Few things make me sadder than watching one of my little ones sick with the flu, coughing uncontrollably, and feeling like I can’t do anything to help. This was a familiar feeling several years ago, but then I discovered elderberry syrup! It’s a great natural cold and flu remedy and it helps get the coughing under control!
Meet Elder, a powerful healing plant, with a variety of uses.
Before I share my recipe for elderberry syrup and tell you about its usefulness as a cough suppressant and general immunity booster, I want to tell you a bit more about the elder plant.
Detoxifier
Elder cleanses the body, so it is common to use it as a natural detoxifier. For this use, elderflowers are brewed into an elder tea to be taken a few times a day for a limited period of time.
These brewed flowers aid kidney function by relieving fluid retention and cleansing toxins. Elder stimulates circulation, causing sweating, effectively cleansing the body. It quickly increases the activity of body systems and increases overall energy. One side-effect of this property is weight loss.
Soother
In addition to providing relief to the respiratory system and boosting immunity, the elder also promotes a feeling of well-being. Taken before bed, this elderberry syrup (and this elderflower tea), promote peaceful sleep and relaxes and soothes the nerves. Elder has also been known to relieve anxiety and lift depression.
Respiratory Aid
If you’ve ever taken a homemade cough syrup, it has no doubt contained elderberry as the main ingredient. Elder relaxes bronchial spasms, making them very useful for treating upper respiratory infections.
Further, fresh elderberries, combined with plantain, make an effective homemade cough syrup.
Cautions: Flowers are the mildest part of the plant and the safest for children. Leaves, roots, seeds, and berries of the raw plant contain cyanide-producing compounds and should not be consumed without cooking properly.
Elderberry & Plantain for Cold, Flu, and Cough
In addition to using some of my favorite essential oils when someone in our house has a cold, flu, or cough, I like to make this elderberry syrup.
As mentioned above, the elder is great for colds, coughs, and flu. And I like to use berries and flowers to get the benefits of the different parts of the plant. I also add plantain leaf because it’s also well-known for treating coughs.
We’ve noticed that this elderberry syrup recipe soothes the throat, boosts immunity, and prevents excess coughing. When I use it, I notice the tickle in my throat is gone almost immediately.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
This elderberry syrup is very effective in getting rid of colds and flu. It is simple to make and works great as a homemade cough syrup too!
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Active Time
- 45 minutes
- Steeping Time
- 2 hours
- Total Time
- 2 hours 50 minutes
- Servings
- 2 cups
- Estimated Cost
- $3
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup dried elderberries
- 2 Tbsp dried elderflowers (optional)
- 2 Tbsp dried plantain leaf
- ½ cup raw honey
Instructions
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Begin making your elderberry syrup by placing water, plantain, elderflowers, and elderberries in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and let simmer for fifteen minutes.
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Place in the oven or cover and let steep for an additional two hours. Strain the infused water from the herbs and put your infusion back into the pan (go ahead and compost those herbs).
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Turn the stove on low and let it simmer uncovered, reducing by half.
-
Remove the pan from heat and allow it to cool for a bit. Add the honey while it is still warm so that it dissolves nicely.
-
Use and enjoy your homemade elderberry syrup!
Recipe Video
Notes
For Cold and Flu
Adults, use 1 tablespoon of elderberry syrup every 2-3 hours. For children under six, use 1 teaspoon every 2-3 hours.
For Immunity
Take 1 teaspoon daily
Tips for Storage
Store your syrup in a labeled glass jar in the refrigerator. It keeps for about 5 months (the honey acts as a natural preservative).
Made this recipe?
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We Use This Elderberry Syrup All Fall and Winter
Our family takes elderberry syrup every day for immunity against cough, cold, and flu.
Bonus Content
Here are more ways to build your immune systems & prepare your family for better health during cold and flu season:
- Elderberry Gummies Recipe with a Vegan Option
- 7 Immune Boosting Foods and Herbs
- Back to School with Vitamin C & Elderberry Glycerite
- 5 Creative Ways to Send Supplements to School
- Homemade Cough Drops
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Joshua Howard says
Hi! I also like this syrup! The recipe is simple and it really works! Natural and healthy remedy what can be better?
Lady Ike says
I can’t recommend this recipe enough! I made it yesterday for the flu season, etc. It really works and I’ve been using this for a couple of years with great success. Thanks so much for all your helpful information and keep up the good work to keep us all healthy and happy!
Susan says
Hi! I am wondering if I can freeze or can this syrup. I am the only one who will take this.
Thank you in advance
Gasper Jack says
how many varieties of elderberries do you have in your area, we have white, blue and red. Which are safe and dangerous?
Heather says
Is agave nectar or maple syrup in place of the honey a viable alternative? I am looking for a vegan option.
I understand that some of the efficacy of the syrup may be compromised by substituting the honey, but hopefully not too much given that I believe the elderberries are the powerhouse in this brew. Please advise.
cindy3539 says
Check Vitacost.com for the berries.
Pamela says
I am just wanting to try to make this for the first time. That being said, I don’t want to purchase a one pound bag of these ingredients which I see on Amazon, checking there after I discovered Mountain Rose Herbs is OUT OF STOCK on everything listed! Does anyone know how many ounces of elderberries is required for the 1/4 cup listed I would need to make this recipe? Thank you to anyone that can answer this for me!
Linda says
A quarter cup is 2 ounces
Matt Jabs says
Hi Pamela,
Additional sources have been listed for the ingredients that were out of stock. Please see links.
Thanks!
Rachel says
I’m not sure where to get elderberry berries and flowers other than from mountain rose that you linked to. Thanks gor the link–i will probably use it, but id appreciate any suggestions on finding a more local supplier so I don’t have to pay shipping. I’m also wondering how the amounts you used translate to ounces so I know how much to order.
Linda says
1 cup is 250mls or 8 ounces.
Di Rogers says
I am diabetic, so honey is not an option. I know honey is considered antiseptic, healing etc, would it work just as well without it? If it’s just for the “making it palatable” factor, how about using stevia?
Amy says
Ok. All I have are hard adonized pots and pans, which I believe is a form of aluminum. Should I try the double boiler technique to make this with a quart size glass jar, like when I made my salves, or would that not work?? I need to just find a stainless steel or glass sauce pan to use specifically for things like this.
Diane says
I have elder shrubs and I make elderberry tincture. I also have elder flower tincture (which I’ve not yet used). Elderberry has been proven to be effective against 10 different viruses; and I believe, they extrapolated the results to other cold/flu viruses. The way it works is that it prevents viruses from replicating. So, if you catch something, then start taking elderberry, you’ll get over it in 1/3 the time. It can also be used as a preventive.
Barb Miller says
Hi and thank you for all the great information you share. Would it be a good idea to sub Colt’s Foot for the Plantain?
Amy says
YEA!!! Something else to use some plantain in!! I’ve been planning to make some elderberry syrup anyway – have two tinctures going right now.
Is there a certain type of pan I should or shouldn’t use when I’m boiling the herbs and water when I make this? I could swear that I’ve heard there’s a type you shouldn’t use, but I can’t remember. I’d love to find something at a thrift store to use specifically for herbs and such.
I’d also like to know if this is something that could be canned or preserved somehow for longer storage in case I don’t use all of it at once or whatever.
Mari says
NEVER us aluminium for herb brews…. or any sort of cooking for that matter. The tannins in many herbs and veges cause the aluminium to leach out. OK when I was growing up aluminium cookware was all the rage and is quite possibly why people my age have health issues now.
I use good quality stainless steel or glass items for my brews. I don’t use plastic either for the same reasons plus they do not cope with heat.
Natalie K says
I’ve got some concentrated elder berry syrup, do you know if I could use it some how with this recipe? Thanks!
Amanda says
Do you happen to have a recipe for chest colds?
Mandi says
I just made some elderberry syrup today for the first time. I love that I now have a new use for these berries. I think I found an elderberry bush in my neighborhood during my run today. I’m hoping my neighbors don’t mind sharing with me!
Kara says
I have a mild case of asthma where I do not have attacks, I just cough a lot and my lungs produce a horrid phlegm. I’ve tried so many medications (prescription and over-the-counter) that have not worked. Do you feel this would help at all with this issue? Thanks so much.
Matt Jabs says
Not sure Kara, but you can try it out and let us know. Blessings!
Kara says
I will, thanks!
Nat says
Kara – you may have already been down this road but Lactose does that to me. Once I cut it out, it stopped!
Kara says
Thanks, Nat. I have never tried cutting out lactose. My asthma/coughing/allergies came on suddenly a few years ago. Is that how it happened for you or did you always struggle with it?
Ginger says
Hi! I love this! Do you know if you can use a canner to make batches but have it on hand? Or is it better to make fresh as needed? Just curious. Thanks!
melissa l says
Hi, I think this is a great recipe however I came looking for help for my 10 month old’s cough. I think it might be a good disclaimer to add that children under 1 year shouldn’t have honey 🙂
Nina Nelson says
Thanks Melissa. For your little one, I’d try a diluted plaintain leaf tea and/or using some essential oils on the chest (diluted in a carrier oil). As for honey with infants, check out this great post from Kate at Modern Alternative Mama that shares what she found when it comes to giving honey to infants. http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/07/22/monday-health-wellness-is-honey-really-bad-for-babies/#.Ul7pu2Rgb6o
lisa mck says
Should you use dried elder berries or elder berry powder for the cough syrup?
Nina Nelson says
I recommend dried elder berries.
Amber Nisley says
Not directly related to the recipe, but I was wondering what kind of rope/twine you used with the little label. 🙂 It’s adorable!
Tashima Byrne says
I’ve been brought up on elderflower tea for tonsillitis and sore throats – it rocks! Still trying to find a supplier of the berries here in Japan, but will try the recipe once I can!