Elderberry Syrup Recipe (Cold And Flu Remedy) (2024)

FAQs

How much elderberry syrup should I take for a cold? ›

How much elderberry should you take? There is no standard dose of elderberry. For flu, some studies have used 1 tablespoon of an elderberry syrup extract four times a day. Another common form of elderberry is a lozenge, often with zinc, that is taken numerous times daily after a cold begins.

Erdos said that while results seem promising, more scientific evidence is needed before we can definitively say that elderberry makes a difference: “Elderberry cannot cure a cold or flu but may be beneficial to some people for symptom relief.”

Are There Elderberry Side Effects? There is a downside to consuming too much elderberry, and that is an upset stomach. Just like with any high fiber fruit, eating too much can cause stomach pain, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Elderberry appears to have few side effects when used properly for short periods of time (up to 5 days). Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take elderberry. If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, ask your doctor before taking elderberry, as it may stimulate the immune system.

Elderberry syrup (ES) a herbal extract of the Sambucus tree is used to boost the immunity when treating respiratory illnesses (common cold & influenza). ES activates pro-inflammatory cytokines(such as IL 1b, IL 6, IL 8, & TNF alpha), which provoke toxic liver changes leading to Drug-induced liver injury (DILI).

The uncooked berries, leaves, bark, and roots of the elderberry plant contain the chemicals lectin and cyanide, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers and liver and kidney function are not altered in postmenopausal women after ingesting an elderberry extract rich in anthocyanins for 12 weeks.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup vs Store Bought

By comparison, my homemade syrup is about a quarter of the price of over-the-counter options. The other draw back of over-the-counter versions is the sweetener, usually it's glucose. My recipe uses raw honey as a sweetener, which has so many healing properties.

How to tell if elderberry syrup is bad? ›

As always, we recommend you keep an eye on the consistency, taste and smell of the syrup. Do not consume if it starts growing white mold, smells bad, tastes bad or fizzes upon opening.

Elderberry can generally be consumed at any time of day—in the morning, at night, or in between. Since it's a food itself, you could take Elderberry on an empty stomach if it seems to work for you. It can also be taken with food.

Elderberries may be beneficial for the heart, as they have been associated with positive effects on blood pressure; the anthocyanin content increases the release of nitric oxide—which helps widen the blood vessels and improves blood flow, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.

People who have autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease should not use elderberry. Elderberry may boost the immune system, which can worsen autoimmune diseases. Many autoimmune disorders require immunosuppressant drugs.

All elderberry products available in the US (most contain black elderberry) are considered herbal supplements; they are not FDA-approved for any indication. As with all herbal supplements, the potency and purity of elderberry products is unknown.

An Israeli study conducted in 2019 found that taking an elderberry syrup called Sambucol improved flu symptoms within 2 days in 93.3% of participants. Meanwhile, 91.7% of the group that didn't receive elderberry syrup showed improvement within 6 days.

Elderberry can generally be consumed at any time of day—in the morning, at night, or in between. Since it's a food itself, you could take Elderberry on an empty stomach if it seems to work for you. It can also be taken with food.

Proponents believe elderberry-based teas, lozenges and supplements provide needed antioxidants that boost the body's natural immune response. A few studies suggest that elderberry may help reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu.

Most studies administer elderberry in lozenge, capsule, syrup, or juice forms, with doses ranging from 175 to 900 mg/day (15 to 177 mL in liquid forms) over periods of 48 hours to four weeks when used for treatment, and for up to 12 weeks when used as a preventative measure.