Do you have to boil elderberries?

Yes! As noted above, do not forage for elderberries and especially do not eat them raw.

Is it safe to make elderberry syrup?

The tutorial in this post gives you step by step instructions for making elderberry syrup. It's best to read the dos and don'ts first, and then follow the instructions in this post step by step.

Can you take elderberry syrup daily?

As noted in this post, my family and I take it leading up to cold and flu season and throughout the season. See my post for the dosages that we take.

How to Make Elderberry Syrup

Print Recipe

Learn How to Make Elderberry Syrup with this simple recipe. Has immune-boosting benefits/effects, and it works! Easy method using dried elderberries.

Author: Tiffany
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 2 cups 1x
Category: Home Remedies
Method: Stove top
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

2/3 cup dried elderberries (also called Sambucus nigra) (these are the ones I use)
3 ½ cups water
1 tsp ground cinnamon (or cinnamon sticks) (optional)
½ tsp ground clove (optional)
2 Tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated (optional)
½ cup raw honey (or to taste)
Fine mesh strainer
Glass bowl
Wooden spoon
Quart jar with a lid for storage

Instructions

Combine dried elderberries, water, cinnamon, clove, and ginger in a medium pot and bring just to a boil. Cook until the liquid has reduced to almost half, about 45 minutes. (Mine took exactly 45 minutes both times, but you can set a timer for 30 minutes and check if you don’t want to forget about this being on the stove!)
Place a fine-mesh strainer (I have this set) over a big bowl (I have this set) and pour the liquid through the strainer. Mash the solids against the strainer, doing your best to get as much of the fruit through the strainer as possible. Take your time here so you’re not wasting precious elderberries!
When you’re left with mostly seeds, use the elderberry mash for kombucha OR compost it (here’s an easy way to get started with composting). Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
When the syrup is cool, pour into a quart jar. Add the honey and stir well. Store in the fridge!

Notes

When prepared properly and stored in a glass container in the fridge, homemade elderberry syrup should be good for 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tsp
Calories: 15

Keywords: Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Find it online: https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/elderberry-syrup/