Elderberry has been part of European folk practice for centuries and it is still one of the most-used traditional herbs in a home routine. Store-bought elderberry syrup runs expensive, usually carries more sugar than elderberry, and sits on a shelf for months before you buy it. Making it yourself takes about an hour.

This kit has everything but the honey and the water. Instructions are in the bag.

What is in the elderberry syrup kit?

• Dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra), the base of the syrup.
• Cinnamon sticks, warming, traditionally paired with elderberry.
• Whole cloves, aromatic, a classic with elderberry.
• Ginger root, warming, traditional in the folk recipes.
• Step-by-step instructions, in every kit.

You add raw honey, local if you can get it, and filtered water.

How do I make elderberry syrup?

Put the dried elderberries and spices in 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, drop it to a simmer, and leave it uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes until it reduces by about half. Cool it a little, mash the berries, strain through cheesecloth, then stir in 1 cup of raw honey. Keep it in a glass jar in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 months.

How much syrup does one kit make?

One kit yields roughly 16 oz of finished elderberry syrup. At a tablespoon a day for an adult, that carries a family of four for several weeks. Traditional use is 1 tablespoon daily for adults and 1 teaspoon for children over 12 months. Never give honey, or anything containing honey, to a child under one year old.

Why make it yourself?

Cost and freshness. A commercial syrup is built to sit on a shelf, which means sugar and preservatives and a berry you cannot see. Made at home, you choose the honey, you skip the preservatives, and you know exactly how old it is because you made it Tuesday.

Can I add other herbs to it?

Yes, and people do. Echinacea, rosehips, and astragalus are the common traditional additions to an elderberry syrup. If you want to work something else in, send us a note and we will tell you what we would do.

Where do the elderberries come from?

We grow elderberry on our farm in Opp, Alabama, and when our own harvest does not cover demand we buy from domestic growers we have used for years. We will not put anything in a kit that we would not use in our own kitchen.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We make no medical claims. Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.