The Benefits of DIY Elderberry Syrup
If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of DIY elderberry syrup, this is one of those things that sounds simple but makes a noticeable difference when it’s actually used consistently. I was reminded of that the hard way. Let’ dive into my easy but powerful DIY elderberry syrup recipe that will save you tons of money too!
For about a month and a half, my kids were getting sick every other week. Cold after cold after cold. Between the younger two as soon as one would get better the next one would pick something up and pass it on and so on.
Every 2 weeks a new one. With medically complex kids I was getting worried. The more the viral load builds the worse it can get. I was starting to get worried.
Then one day it clicked.
I hadn’t made elderberry syrup in almost a year.
It used to be something I kept in regular rotation, and always suring the during colder months. Life got insane, we moved so many times, and it slowly disappeared from our routine without me really noticing. I made a batch, started giving it to them daily again, and the constant illness stopped. Not gradually. Not over weeks. It stopped.
That was my reminder.
Why Elderberry Syrup Matters
Elderberry has a long history of use for immune support, especially during times when viruses are circulating heavily. It’s not about avoiding every illness forever, but about helping the body respond better and recover faster.
When elderberry syrup is used consistently, many families notice:
- Fewer illnesses
- Shorter duration of symptoms
- Better overall resilience during the sick season
In our case, the constant cycle broke once it was back in our routine. I was suprised because usually it’s important to build that up in your system for a while before it works.
But I also add other immune boosting things to it so that may have helped it kick into gear so fast.
Why Making It Yourself Makes a Difference
There’s a big difference between DIY elderberry syrup and many store-bought versions. I used store bought for years, but with 3 kids, that got really expensive!
When you make it yourself:
- You control the concentration
- You choose the quality of ingredients
- You avoid unnecessary fillers and dyes
- You know exactly what your kids are getting
Some store-bought syrups are mostly sugar with very little actual elderberry. Others are expensive and still watered down. DIY keeps it simple and effective.
Consistency Is the Real Key
This is the part people skip.
Elderberry works best when it’s used before things spiral, not just once everyone is already sick. When I stopped making it, we noticed. When I started again, we noticed that too.
It became clear that this wasn’t about adding something new, it was about returning to something that already worked.
My DIY Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup of dried elderberries
- 1 lb of raw unfiltered honey
- 3 tbsp of vitamin C powder
- 2 cinnamon sticks (or 2 tbsp cinnamon powder)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger or dried ginger
- 1/8 cup star anise
- Herbfarm Super Echinacea
- Optional: 1 tsp cloves
DIRECTIONS:
- Add the water, elderberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger, and cloves if you are using them to a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling reduce the temperature by half and boil for 45 minutes with the lid on.
- Allow the liquid to cool and strain into a very large jar or bowl.
- Now add in the honey, vitamin C powder, and echinacea. You want to add these after boiling to preserve all the beneficial properties in them. Stir with a wooden or plastic spoon.
- Place into jars and store in the fridge. They freeze just fine if you can’t use them all. We typically keep one in the fridge and store a couple in the freezer.
- Take 1 tbsp per day consistently.
Some Tips for Making This Syrup
You can always make it thicker or sweeter with more honey.
You can also sweeten it with stevia.
If it’s too tangy for your little kids, reduce the vitamin C by a tablespoon.
Enjoy and try to take it regularly! It works best when not just used for being sick, it’s preventative and builds your immune system.
