Elderberry Syrup plus Elderberry Gummies
Elderberry syrup a traditional folk remedy to help prevent coughs and colds. It’s made with elderberries, raw honey and herbs. Elderberries contain immune boosting compounds that have been shown to beat the cold and flu more quickly. They are also a natural anti-inflammatory and high in vitamins A and C.
The best thing about this tonic is that it tastes delicious and is super kid friendly. Anyone over the age of 1 can have it (it contains raw honey which is best avoided for bubs under 1).
I love to make this for my kids during winter and give it to them each day as a preventative and immune booster.
You can also use the syrup to make elderberry gummies which is a fun way for kids to take it if they won’t have it off the spoon.
Elderberry Syrup
Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, egg free
Makes approx 400ml
Ingredients:
2/3 cup dried elderberries
3 cups water
2 tablespoons grated ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
5-6 star anise
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 - 1 cup of raw honey
Instructions:
Place everything except for the honey in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
Leave to cool until luke warm then strain through a fine sieve into a clean bowl. Stir through the honey to taste.
Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge where it will keep for a few months.
As a preventative/immune booster take 1 teaspoon daily for kids and ½ – 1 tablespoon for adults. If sick take up to 4 times a day until symptoms disappear.
You can also add additional herbs to this for extra benefits like rose hips for vitamin c or marshmallow root for coughs.
Notes:
This is not suitable for kids under 1 due to the raw honey.
Elderberry Gummies
Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, egg free
Makes 50-200 depending on the size of your moulds
Ingredients:
1 cup elderberry syrup
3 tablespoons gelatin
Instructions:
Pour the elderberry syrup into a medium saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the surface and leave for a couple of minutes for the gelatin to soak up the liquid.
Heat gently (you want to preserve the properties of the raw honey) and stir until gelatin has dissolved.
Pour into moulds of choice and place in the fridge for a couple of hours or until set.
These will keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
Notes:
There’s about 50 teaspoons in 1 cup of elderberry syrup. 1 teaspoon is the amount of elderberry syrup I give my kids. So if you make 50 gummies from this recipe then each one will be about a teaspoons worth. The amount of gummies you make will depend on the size of your moulds.
