elderberry syrup
Today is the last official day of summer and, as I sit here with a cup of nettle infusion and the baby sleeps, it’s still hot and dry outside.
But there are little things, little signs of the changing seasons everywhere. The afternoon light is a little warmer, shining in reddish tones. Dry seed pods embroider hedges and the vegetation along the tracks. Swallows are increasingly rare to spot, as they head on their journeys down south. Quinces ripen on the trees, and olives are plump now, though still green.
Which signs do you notice where you live?
Our eldest daughter has returned to school and, with autumn about to start, this sounded like the best moment to get started on cold and flu herbalism. Fire cider, four thieves vinegar, elderberry tincture, elderberry syrup… These colder-weather classics come to the front of my apothecary shelves now.
Do you want to join me as I prepare a new batch of elderberry syrup?
Elder is a favorite herb of mine, both for its fragrant flowers and its purple berries, both of which have uses in herbalism (as do other parts of this plant!). My grandmother here in the mountains used to make elderflower tea to combat fever, a legacy I am delighted to maintain. However, neither my dad nor I remember her using the berries, so it’s possible that they weren’t part of the lore in the village. But lore do they have.
It’s said that the history of the elder is as old as that of humankind, with vestiges of these trees found in Stone Age sites in Europe, and proof of use dated to Ancient Greece and Rome. Here in Europe, it’s not uncommon to find it growing near villages, where it was planted to attract good spirits. If you’re interested in learning more about the folklore of elder, this is a great resource.
Berries and flowers are used differently. The berry, specifically, has many actions, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antispasmodic, alterative, diuretic, laxative, and nervine. All of these are enough reasons to love it, but what makes it such a classic for the winter months is that it works as an immune stimulant, making it an ideal ally at the first signs of cold and flu. As can be read in elder’s monograph, taken at onset, elderberry can reduce the duration of cold/flu because it interferes with virus replication, and strengthens cell membranes to inhibit viral penetration.
Isn’t that simply fascinating? Let’s roll up our sleeves and make a batch of this purple gold.
Spiced Elderberry Syrup
My version is a very close adaptation of Herbal Academy’s Quick and Simple Elderberry Syrup, but with the addition of warming spices, citrus, and a hint of vanilla, because… Why not?
Note: Rosemary Gladstar suggests adding elderberry tincture once the syrup is cool for extra immune-stimulating power and extended shelf life. My elderberry tincture isn’t ready yet, so I skipped that addition. However, I plan on adding 1 tbsp of tincture per 1 cup of syrup next time!
And another note: raw elderberry can cause some serious digestive upset. Always cook or dry your berries, as this reduces the cyanogenic glycoside content, before using.
ingredients1⁄2 cup dried elder (Sambucus canadensis or S. nigra) berry (or 3⁄4 cup fresh)
4 cups water
3 tbsp fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome, chopped
3 whole cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)
1 stick cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)
½ star anise (Illicium verum) seed pod
1 tsp cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seed pod
1 piece of orange peel
a sprinkle of vanilla bean (alternatively, use a dash of extract)
2 cups raw honey
directionsIn a large pot, combine water and all the ingredients except for honey and bring to a boil, covered.
Reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half and 2 cups remain in the pot.
Allow the mixture to cool just enough to handle.
Strain the herbs and return the liquid to the pot.
Add honey and stir to dissolve.
Pour the syrup into glass jars, label, date, and refrigerate. A syrup made with a 1:1 ratio like this one (one part of herbal decoction to 1 part of honey) should last for about four weeks in the fridge.
The suggested usage for adults is 1 tablespoon up to 3x/day, and for children is 1 teaspoon up to 3x/day at the onset of a cold or flu. As a preventative during the winter months, it’s suggested to do 1 tablespoon per day for adults, and 1 teaspoon per day for children.
Do not give to children younger than 1 year old as it contains raw honey.
I made a large batch as I plan on sharing it with a friend. If you find yourself with more than what you can use within the recommended shelf life, try freezing some of your syrup into ice cubes for an instant immune-supportive tea when you feel the sniffles coming! Simply pop a cube in a mug and add boiling water. So simple!
And lastly, some little details from the last few weeks. We are doing well.
You know, as my belly grew rounder and rounder this year, I had this slight fear knocking regularly at the door of my thoughts: children ten years apart? What were you thinking?
J was apprehensive, I am not going to sugarcoat it. And to have everyone asking are you excited to be a big sister? became not only annoying to her, but heavy. What if she wasn’t excited? After all, she had every right not to be. How can you be excited for something you don’t know, haven’t experienced yet, is still an abstraction, no more than a round volume inside your mother’s belly, that kicks and turns at times? The you must be so excited rarely left room to acknowledge the immensity of feelings enveloped in this new experience.
So we tried our best not to project any expectation onto her. To let it just… Be.
And after nine months, the moment these two met was pure perfection. It all just clicked. Our eldest fell in love with our youngest, and to think that these two were not in each other’s lives for so long is mind-boggling.
Yet, this age gap has been simply marvelous. Sometimes, it’s like having an only child all over again, as these two have such different needs right now, and I can give my all to this little bubble of milk and love. J is a wonderful babysitter, always eager to offer her help when we need it, be it as we prepare food, take a bath, or just do everyday household chores. She loves reading to F and cheering her on as she learns how to roll over. She’s adept at catching her pees in the potty and changing diapers. However, none of this has been required of her. She just naturally fell into this beautiful role of an older sister who cares for and loves her little sister. My oh my, am I getting a little teary-eyed here? I might, yes.
I spent so long reading through Reddit threads during pregnancy (10-year-old age gap, how was that for you?), and eagerly engaging in conversations when someone mentioned a sibling or children with a similar gap. And now I can stand on this side, saying that so far it’s been nothing short of wonderful. Of course, as a parent, I know that nothing ever remains the same, and ebbs and flows are part of the magical journey of life.
But you know what, it’s been really, really good.
I hope you have a beautiful equinox tomorrow and a magic-filled autumn. And, hopefully, an elderberry-syrup-filled apothecary for you and your family, too.
With love,
Cat 🤎
