Elderberry is a medicinal plant is known for its ability to help support the upper respiratory tract as well as being super high in antioxidants and vitamin c, and it tastes delicious! Varieties of sambucus grow all over the US, Europe, and Australia but the black variety is the one prized for its health benefits.

Elderberries are the fruit of the flowering Sambucus plant. If you are forgaging or growing your own please use caution and make sure you are identifying correctly as they do not all hold the same medicinal benefits as the black variety.

I love to make things with this plant because it tastes so delicious and is quite versatile. I even made a cordial and a simple syrup out of the fresh flowers this year! In the past I have experimented making tinctures, syrups, and cough drops. Despite all these great ideas, I have to say that my go-to recipe is elderberry syrup.

Benefits of Elderberry

High in antioxidants

Aids digestion

High in Vitamin C

Safe for children

Helps to shorten the duration of flu and cold

Good for upper respiratory health

Mildly laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic (inducing perspiration)

How To Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup

1 cup dried black elderberries ( if you have access to fresh or frozen increase to 1 and 2/3 cups

3 and 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons fresh (or slightly less dried) ginger

1/2 teaspoon crushed cardamom pods

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon raw honey

Steps To Make Elderberry Syrup