For much of history, plants have been used for medicinal purposes during every season of life. Many of our modern medicines are modeled after the components found in traditionally medicinal herbs. One of the herbs that is still known by many is Elder. In this post, I’ll dive into the history, nutrition, and benefits of this wonderful plant. And if you stick around, I’ve got a delicious Elderberry Syrup recipe for you.
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The following statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The information in this post is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness, disease, or ailment.
The History of Elder as Medicine
Elder has been in high value for as far back as records can date. For the English, it was said that their summer had not fully arrived until the flowers had bloomed, and it ended when the berries were ripe. I’d like to think of this as the perfect providence of God-giving us everything we need in perfect timing.
It was most commonly used as a diuretic and diaphoretic, and some cultures used the berries to make a warming, cinnamon wine. Other parts of the plant have been used to repel insects, dye fabrics and hair, and to make instruments. Once named the “medicine chest of country people”, it was part of daily life and well loved by those who used it regularly.
You can read more about the history of Elder in this article from Botanical.com.
Nutrition and Beneficial Properties of Elder
Elderberries contain an impressive amount of antioxidants- nearly twice that of blueberries! This comes from the variety of flavonoids found in them. These compounds rid the body of free oxygen radicals, protecting it against disease, illness, and possibly cancers.
These delicious berries also boast healthy amounts of Vitamins A,B, and C, along with many minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, and phosphorus- which are all essential for optimal bodily function and immune support.
You can view a helpful nutrition table and read further in this article from Nutrition and You.
My favorite Resources
(YouTube)
David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG
The Homesteader’s Herbal Companion
Amy K. Fewell
Rosemary Gladstar
Rosemary Gladstar
Rosemary Gladstar
Modern Uses for Elderberry
Elderberries can be added to tea blends and made into tinctures, but my favorite way to use it is to make a syrup. This allows me to add a few additional immune-supporting herbs, and makes it delicious enough that I actually want to take it every day. See my Elderberry Syrup recipe in the next section!
Pre-made elderberry teas and syrups can be commonly found in grocery stores and pharmacies on nearly every block, and can even be purchased online. Here is a great option if you’re just starting out.
Pre-made remedies are a great starting point, but be sure to look for good quality ingredients and to research other herbs that might be in these pre-made options. For example, many store-bought elderberry syrups also include Echinacea. And Echinacea, while a wonderfully powerful herb, is an immune stimulant, and our bodies do not need to have stimulated immune systems every single day. The syrup I have linked above does not include any immune-stimulating herbs.
In our house, we take our regular syrup every day. If we start to feel a little sick, or if we’ve been in contact with sickness, we will brew a tea with echinacea, and add our elderberry syrup to it for a sweet, tasty boost.
How to Make Elderberry Syrup at Home
This recipe is delicious and simple to make. You only need a few ingredients, and a little bit of passive time. If you want to know where I source the herbs in this recipe, follow the affiliate links below.
And here it is- the promised recipe! If you like it, be sure to leave a comment and a star rating!
Everyday Elderberry Syrup
Equipment
- 1 Medium Sauce Pan
- 1 Quart size air-tight container
Ingredients
- 1 Quart Filtered Water
- ½ Cup Dried Organic Elderberries
- 2 Sticks Ceylon Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp Dried Rosehips
- 1 Tbsp Dried Hibiscus Flower
- 3 Whole Cloves
- 1 Star Anise Pod
- ½ to 1 Cup Raw Unfiltered Honey (as local as possible)
Instructions
- Add the water, elderberries, and all other herbs to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Allow to simmer until the liquid has reduced by half (about 40 minutes)
- Remove from heat and allow to cool until just slightly warm (about 30minutes).
- Strain your syrup into a bowl or measuring cup through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.
- Stir in your preferred amount of local honey. Decant into your storage vessel, and place in the refrigerator.
Notes
Thank you for visiting Headed for a Homestead Blog. I’m Rebekah, your creator and author since 2023. As a new blogger in this big space, I’m still learning the ropes, and just as excited as when I began. I hope you’ll take some time to look around and maybe find a recipe or project you’d like to try.
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The syrup is very good! It is also cool to know that this plant has such a rich history.