We were running low on Elderberry syrup so I made another batch today and wanted to share my recipe with you! I have been making Elderberry syrup for a few years now and I have perfected the flavor combo that my family loves. I like to make elderberry syrup because it is cheaper than store bought and I get to control the ingredients and add extra immune power with essential oils.
A couple of notes: I make our Elderberry syrup in an Instant Pot, it can be made on the stove but I have never made it that way so I cannot vouch for it that way. Second, this recipe contains honey so it is not suitable for children under 1 year. The honey adds to the flavor but it is also important for proper preservation (lasts up to 6 months in the refrigerator).
Items needed: 1.5 cups dried elderberries 4 cups filtered water 1 cup Raw (preferably local) Honey 4 drops On Guard® 4 drops Wild Orange 1-2 drops Clove 1-2 drops Ginger
Instant Pot instructions: ONLY add water & Elderberries to the Instant Pot. Manual setting, high pressure for 7 minutes and quick release the valve. Pour through fine-mesh strainer (or coffee filter in a colander) into a bowl and push down on berries with a spatula to get extra juices out. Let cool for about an hour before adding the remaining ingredients (you do not want to add honey and EOs to the super hot liquid but you want it to be warm enough to blend, maybe a little above room temp). Mix essential oils with honey before adding to the elderberry syrup to help emulsify the mixture. Add to mason jars or glass bottles and store in the fridge up to 6 months!
Stove-top instructions:
Bring the water + elderberries to a boil, then simmer for 30-40 minutes with lid on. The rest of the directions will be the same.
Why On Guard®, Wild Orange, Clove and Ginger?
Besides adding incredible flavor, these 4 essential oils are incredible for immune support!
I'm an eyeball-it kind of gal so I do not measure our dosage out (we have little shot glass measuring cups and the kid's get about a quarter to a third filled) however the typical recommendation for homemade elderberry syrup dosage is as follows...
Kids from about age 2-12: 1/2 -1 teaspoon per day during fall and winter months. If they are feeling under the weather, that changes to 1 teaspoon every 3 hours until feeling better. *Since you will be also using your oils to fight it, I would do 2-3x a day instead of every 3 hours.
Kids age 13-adult: 1 or 2 tablespoons a day during the fall and winter months. Then if they are feeling under the weather, 1 full tablespoon every 3 hours until feeling better. *Again, I would do 3x a day and make sure you are using your oils every 3 hours.
When there is a ton of nasty stuff being passed around we like to take Elderberry Syrup along with our morning oil routine. As I mentioned above, we take it in little shot glasses but you can add it to tea, pour over pancakes, add to smoothies, etc.
Don't have doTERRA® oils yet? Don't worry, I've got you covered! Here is a shopping cart link to purchase the 4 oils to make this elderberry syrup or head on over to my current promo page and get a starter set. Feel free to contact me for help figuring out the right oils to start with for your family's needs and budget.
*Please note that I ONLY recommend doTERRA essential oils for internal use. Make sure your essential oil bottle has a supplemental facts label on it to make sure it is okay for internal use.