Member blog – Magpie Ima’s Elderberry Syrup
From HOMEGROWNer Magpie Ima in Portland, OR
I wanted to let you know about my recent experience making my own anti-flu medicine because I am just so thrilled to be able to make a proven antiviral flu remedy for a mere fraction of the cost of the commercially prepared variety.
Elderberries grow on tall, spindly bushes and the tiny dark blue-black berries develop in clusters after the feathery flower fade. Elderberry bushes are apparently quite easy to grow so I will be looking to add one to my garden soon as elderberries are extremely nutritious, rich in antioxidants, an known to stimulate the immune system in response to flu viruses. As the H1N1 hysteria grows (along with the pressure to subject our children to a virtually untested vaccine) you can bet I want something safe and free of side effects to give my family when we head into crowded synagogues and classrooms later this month.
Elderberry syrup, as it turns out, is super easy to make. The only hard part is finding your berries. Here in the Portland metro area Morning Shade Farm has a row of u-pick elderberry bushes. It took about 10 minutes to fill our buckets with snipped berry clusters. The only fiddly bit is coaxing the berries off the stems. After that, a quick rinse, a bit of a simmer, some straining, adding honey, and bottling. That’s it! Seriously. Instead of paying $9-12 for a 4 ounce bottle of Sambucol, I have nearly a quart of the stuff which cost about $2, plus another 4 batches worth of berries in the freezer. How cool is that?
…continued on Magpie Eats blog
September 9th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
this sounds great – but i am concerned, isn’t the problem with the H1N1 virus that people’s immune systems are OVER-responding? is this something you take preventatively or once you have the flu?
September 9th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I just made some elderberry jam! The elderberries came from a foodbank, via my grandmother’s neighbor. Unfortunately, she had been under the impression that they were blueberries!
September 18th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Okay, how do I consume the syrup? It seems really sweet. Maybe mix with hot water for a tea or sparkling water for a refreshing drink?
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Not sure why but I am just seeing these responses for the first time. Sorry about that!
I have heard the cytokene concern with elderberry syrup as well but my ND doesn’t think it’s a huge issue. I am taking the elderberry syrup as a preventative and give it to my kids as well as she recommends: 2 T/daily. We haven’t caught it yet and we’ve been around lots of sick folks.
I have no problem drinking it straight, but you could mix it with mineral water or even hot water like a tea. I brew my own kombucha and left some to ferment with a few tablespoons of the elderberry syrup. It was delicious, but probably not very therapeutic.