DIY Elderberry Syrup | Intentional Healing

Ahh yes, it's that time of year again. Tis the season for sniffles, runny noses, and those pesky viral symptoms. Flu season as we know it starts in the fall when our body feels a little bit under the weather and cold and flu season begin to invade.

When you think a little deeper about Flu season, it is just the months from October to January,  where we have a candy holiday, followed by an over-indulgence of food and pie holiday before we celebrate in the middle of winter, by drinking our way into the “ The New Year”. We call it flu season, but we really should consider the influx of sugar and poisoning in our body during this time. This year in particular is tricky weather because one minute its cold and the next minute we have 60 degree weather in the middle of March. You can still catch the "Wind" so it's important to always stay strapped. In other words, we do not catch a cold, we let them in. By this I mean the winter time is just when lymph moves slower and our body's innate defense system is lowered ( by processed foods, alcohol, smoking, improper food combining, over eating, etc) and infective organism takes its opportunity. However, this shouldn’t make us helpless, we will always have nature to guide and support us back to a natural state of health if we are willing to dig a little deeper into its wisdom. 

There’s Power in The Plants

The Solution: ELDERBERRY (Sambucas Nigra)

 The best thing about herbs being used to support and aid your healing is that different parts of the plant have specific constituents, or properties . Elderberries are FULL of invert sugar fruits, tannins, vitamin C and anthocyanin. — pigments that give red, blue and purple colors to fruits and vegetables, these colors prevent inflammation and improve brain health. Remember the medicine is in the colors.

Combining the benefits of elderberry and honey, creating elderberry syrup is a powerful natural cold and flu prevention supplement. Nature truly gives us everything we need with the added ingredients like ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, and other herbs and spices - making it extra therapeutic and delicious. Studies show that elderberry have antiviral and antimicrobial properties, while shortening and alleviating symptoms of common cold (fever, inflammatory response, in the upper respiratory tract, mucus buildup within 24 hours). Full of antioxidants, vitamins A and C, minerals and amino acids that strengthen not only your immune system, but also your cardiovascular system. I honestly do not know why the world just doesn’t get back in tune with simpler times, more Traditional ways of living and being in harmony with Nature; and replace Tylenol with Elderberry Syrup (Well, we all know why, because Big Pharma will lose MILLIONS). The medicinal properties in EB causes the mucus in the body to become more watery, enabling the body to release and expel. The idea is to allow whatever waste, toxins, bacteria/ virus to be cleared from the sinuses.

Nature is ABUNDANT. 

Let's think for a second, The brand name, Tylenol, active ingredient is acetaminophen. This active ingredient is not naturally found in nature. It was originally man-made , a chemical process using coal tar, something that is not environmentally conscious or more sustainable than plant-based methods. This active ingredient that fuels the brand. While there may be some practices that extract the compound found in Poplar trees, it still goes through a heavy processing method to turn it into the chemical , we know as Acetaminophen. Why goes through such an extensive process of making “nothing” out of something and exploiting plant life in the process. The idea of let’s find a plant, take its magic out and alchemize it to something scalable and sellable; slap a sticker label and patent on it and market it to treat minor aches/pains/fevers. Some may not agree with natural medicine, and that okay, but I digress.

To emphasize in a more spiritual way, according to the Bible, Genesis 1:29, “ Then God said, ‘ behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the Earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” In other words, God provides for Humanity in Creation. The beauty of herbs is they have energy and this energy is an expression of The Most High.

Intentional Healing | Let’s Dive Into the Ingredients Actions.

Organic Raw Honey- thick and sweet in nature is excellent in soothing sore throats and naturally suppressing coughs. It is also antimicrobial, loaded with antioxidants that ward off internal pathogens and can even be used topically to heal wounds. Children under 1 should not consume honey, it is consider toxic. 

Mullein is an expectorant herb meaning it causes an increase in salvation (spit) of mucous (phlegm) from the lungs and nasal passage. These herbs can be especially helpful for bronchitis, stuffy nose, irritated lungs and chest colds. 

I like adding Sea Moss to the mix because seamoss acts as demulcent. Demulcents work well with expectorant herbs. When infused in water and ingested, these herbs create a thick watery jelly-like fluid that acts as a coating for internal organs to sooth and protect. Seamoss loosen and release excess mucus build up in the sinus areas or other parts of the body. While in the herbal world, it's generally great for irritated stomachs/throats, vaginal problems, common cold and constipation.

When you start to feel ill, the first line of defense is antimicrobial spices in your diet. Herbalist David Hoffman says, “ Antimicrobials help the body destroy or resist pathogenic microorganisms. They help the body strengthen its own resistance to infective organisms and and throw off the illness” (Hoffmann, 1987, pg. 34). Ginger, Clove, Garlic

Cayenne Pepper is known to be a diaphoretic, its remedy causes dilation of capillaries, stimulating sweat glands and supporting the kidneys by increasing the cleansing process. Cayenne Pepper is most useful for general body cleansing and warding the body of colds and its symptoms. 

Ceylon Cinnamon is a must have in the cabinets. It is considered a premium cinnamon, the TRUE cinnamon compared to the cinnamon we usually buy from stores, Cassia cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon aids in digestion power and improves insulin sensitivity. It is also known to reduce inflammation due to its high content of antioxidants. According to Medicine, cinnamon has a warming effect on the body when the body has chills from being exposed to the Wind. 

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The end result is a nutrient dense, natural simple syrup that is easy to make, cost effective and is especially beneficial for children as it is a gentle, yet effective herb, and with the right ingredients; it is tasty and kid palette approved. This syrup can be taken daily to strengthen the immune system or as needed to soothe a sore throat or ease a stubborn cough. It can also be taken during a cold or the flu to help decrease the duration of the illness.

Ingredients

4c Distilled Water/ Spring Water

1/2 c of dried Elderberries, 3/4 c if you are using fresh elderberries because of the higher water content. 

10-12 oz of Local Raw Honey is best for immunity but you are free to use a natural organic sweetener like maple syrup or agave ( for children under 12 months). The high sugar content in these items acts as a natural preservative so it is harder for bacteria/ microbes to thrive. 

3 1/2 Tbsp of Fresh Ginger root- fresh is more potent than powdered, the smaller you cut it/grate it, the more surface area = the more potent it will be. 

3 Tbsp Irish Moss (Gel) 3 tablespoons 

1 Tsp Mullein Leaf Powder (Optional) 

Cayenne Pepper (Optional) - spicy herbs if you have a cold, the key if for the body to perspire/ sweat. 

Peppermint (Optional)- cooling herbs if you have an irritated and sore throat

2 Tsp Vanilla Bean (Optional)- antibacterial, anti inflammatory & for taste of course

1 Tbsp Ceylon cinnamon or 3 cinnamon sticks 

3 whole Clove (Optional)

1 1/2 Tbsp Echinacea (optional) is immune stimulating and improve lymph flow.

1 Key lime ( squeezed)

(Optional) A splash of whiskey, vodka or other grain alcohol to help extend shelf life

Cheesecloth/ Nut milk bag or something similar like a clean stocking, to separate and strain the berries from the juice. 

A sterilized airtight mason jar 16-oz container for the finished elderberry syrup.

Let’s Tune In. 

Step 1 Combine Elderberry + Water + Spices 

Using dried elderberry (more readily available) : In a large pot, combine 1/2 cup of dried elderberry or 3/4 cup of fresh berries with 4 cups ( 32 oz) of water. Because roots, bark and stems take longer to extract their healing properties, we bring that to a boil. Note the height of liquid in the pot. The idea is to reduce the liquid to about half. 

Step 2 Simmer and Reduce 

Once it reaches a boil, with a lid, reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid in the pot is reduced by half and only 2 cups remain in the pot. You can add your dehydrated herbs at this point. Stir occasionally. This is how you make a strong decoction. 

Step 3 Let it Cool

Turn off the fire. Allow the mixture to cool slightly but not completely so the honey can dissolve in the liquid later. 

Step 4 Strain and Add Honey 

Strain the herbs and place it back into the pot. Gently pour some of the mixture into the strainer. I found it best to add a little at time, pressing the berries down into the strainer and cheese cloth with a wooden spoon as we went. This helped to extract as much of the precious juice as possible. Smush and mash, smush and mash. Continue this step until you have a bowl of elderberry juice. 

** Stained hands are to be expected for a day or two.

Step 5: 

Pour the syrup into a glass jar, label, date and refrigerate. 

Suggested Use: 1 tablespoon (15 mL) up to 3x/day for adults and for children 1 teaspoon ( 5 mL) 3x/ day. Last up to 1-2 months if refrigerated. 

What do I do with the used elderberry pulp ?! 

Compost it, throw it back into the earth for nutrient rich soils

Dehydrate them and store the used pulp for a diluted elderberry infusion/tea, there will still be some goodness left in the berries. Dehydrate them until they a crunchy and shriveled. Add a 1-2 tsp to an 8 oz cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Spruce to your liking. NO WHITE SUGAR. 

Save to put them in a fire cider (click link for our DIY fire cider )