How To Make Homemade Elderberry Cough Syrup

Boost your immune system naturally with homemade elderberry cough syrup. This recipe will soothe your throat and help fight off pesky colds and coughs.

With 7 kids in our family, someone always seems to have a runny nose as soon as we head into the Winter months. We used to take cough drops like candy. (literally, my kids thought they were candy) But after doing some research into the side effects of the most common ingredients found in over the counter cold medicines, we started trying natural cough remedies instead.

Have you tried making apple cider vinegar gummies yet?

I was first introduced to the benefits of elderberries when I was a kid. My brother had a terrible ragweed allergy and the only thing that seemed to really make a difference was drinking homemade elderberry juice.

Elderberries are an immune boosting super food! They are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins that can really help fight off a cold or flu. They can also reduce inflammation, making it easier to breathe and swallow when you’re dealing with a sore throat.

Since I’ve been making my own elderberry syrup, I’ve added a few more ingredients that are known for their health benefits and antiviral properties. Spices and citrus have been used in folk medicine for centuries and really make this cough remedy extra powerful.

So the first thing I do when any of my kids start complaining of a scratchy throat is to give them a spoonful of this homemade elderberry cough syrup and plug a cool-mist humidifier in near their bed so that they can get a good night’s sleep.

Because at the end of the day, one of the best ways to battle a cough or cold is to get plenty of rest.

NOTE – I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. Contact your child’s doctor and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or worsen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to give honey to babies until they are 12 months old.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here.

Why You’ll like this elderberry cough syrup recipe:

all natural

Using elderberry cough syrup in place of store-bought cold remedies, you can avoid the laundry list of ingredients, some of which are especially harmful.

Dextromethorphan is a narcotic related to opium that can have side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, nausea and stomach pain to name a few. This dangerous cough suppressant is found in most over the counter cough remedies.

All of the ingredients in this recipe are completely natural and non-toxic. Elderberry cough syrup is essentially made with just fruits, spices and honey.

Immune Boosting

Unlike most commercial cough remedies that just soothe cold symptoms, elderberry cough syrup actually helps fight your sickness off!

At the same time, the ingredients are improving your immune system, making it more likely to be able to avoid viruses in future.

Safe For Kids

This homemade elderberry cough syrup is made with just elderberries, honey, lemon, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Nothing to be worried about so you can feel totally at ease giving it to young children!

You can make this syrup into elderberry gummies to make it easier for kids to take!

Keep in mind that honey isn’t recommended for babies before one year of age.

easy to make

There are just two steps to making elderberry cough syrup: heating the ingredients and straining them. Easy peasy!

This tutorial has directions for making cough syrup on the stovetop as well as in the instant pot. Both ways are just as simple, so just choose the method you prefer.

really works!

Unlike over the counter cough medicines that actually just make you drowsy and block your body’s cough reflex, this natural remedy heals and soothes a sore throat while boosting the immune system at the same time.

what you need to make elderberry cough syrup

ingredients

elderberries – you can use either dried or fresh elderberries in this recipe. Just make sure they are clean and free of stems and leaves before using. If you don’t have access to fresh elderberries, you can sometimes find some at your local health food store.

honey – buckwheat honey or manuka honey are the best types of honey to use for health purposes because they are higher in antioxidants than other kinds. But any honey will work in this natural cough syrup.

lemon – you’ll need two whole lemons to juice and peel. Lemon is loaded with vitamin C, adding to the immune boosting power of this syrup.

ginger – this recipe calls for a large chunk of fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped. Ginger improves the immune system while also reducing inflammation.

cinnamon – either dry ground organic cinnamon or a couple cinnamon sticks.

cloves – I like to use whole cloves to make cough syrup, but you can substitute them with ground cloves in a pinch.

water – distilled water becomes the base of the elderberry syrup as the berries cook down.

FAQ about homemade elderberry cough syrup

What are the benefits of elderberry cough syrup?

Here are some of the many elderberry syrup benefits:

1. Relieves Cough and Congestion: Elderberry cough syrup is known for its ability to soothe coughs and reduce congestion. It can help with dry and phlegmy coughs, providing relief and making it easier to breathe.
2. Boosts the Immune System: Elderberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that can support and strengthen the immune system.
3. Reduces Inflammation: Elderberries contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the respiratory system. This can help clear the airways, making it easier to breathe while dealing with a cold.
4. Provides Antiviral and Antimicrobial Properties: Elderberry cough syrup has super antiviral and antimicrobial properties that can prevent and fight off viruses and bacteria.
5. Supports Overall Respiratory Health: Taking a Tablespoon of elderberry cough syrup every day can promote a healthy respiratory system.
6. Natural and Safe Alternative: Elderberry cough syrup is great natural alternative to over-the-counter cough syrups that often contain artificial ingredients or toxic chemicals.

The elderberry bush is a wild plant that is found throughout North America. Historically, Native Americans used elderberries as a food as well as in making medicines and dyes. The stems were also used to make a variety of tools.

Is elderberry cough syrup safe for children?

Elderberry cough syrup is safe for children over the age of 1.

Does elderberry cough syrup help with colds and flu?

Elderberry cough syrup helps fight off a cold and flu while providing relief. Elderberry syrup also strengthens the immune system, keeping you from getting sick in the future.

How much elderberry cough syrup should I take?

To use as an immune booster, take one tablespoon of elderberry cough syrup once a day as you’re heading into flu season. To fight off a cold or flu, take one tablespoon every few hours while your symptoms last.

Can elderberry cough syrup be used for allergies?

Because an overreactive immune system causes allergies, elderberry syrup can provide relief by improving the immune system.

Elderberry syrup can also reduce inflammation caused by an allergic reaction.

Using local honey in homemade cough syrup makes it even more effective for keeping allergies at bay. By eating honey that is produced in your region, you are actually consuming small amounts of pollen that can help build up your immunity to it over time.

Where can I buy elderberry cough syrup?

If you’re not ready to make your own elderberry cough syrup, there are a couple great store-bought options out there:

• Garden of Life Immune Support With Elderberry and Zinc
• Elderberry Cough Syrup For Kids from Nature’s Way

Is elderberry cough syrup effective for sore throat?

Elderberry cough syrup is made with natural ingredients, such as honey, fruits and spices, known for their soothing and healing properties. These ingredients can bring relief to a sore throat while helping the immune system to fight off sickness.

how to make elderberry cough syrup at home

on the stovetop

Combine – In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, lemon zest and juice, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and elderberries. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes.

Strain – Mash the berries with the back of a spoon or potato masher. Strain the juice through a fine sieve. Discard the berries.

Cool – Stir in honey until it has completely dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.

in the instant pot

Combine – Combine water, lemon zest and juice, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and elderberries in bowl of the instant pot.

Cook – Put the lid on and seal the instant pot and set it to “manual” on “high pressure” for 8 minutes.

Vent – When the timer goes off, set the valve to “vent” until all of the steam has been released.

Strain – Mash the berries with the back of a spoon or potato masher. Strain the juice through a fine sieve. Discard the berries.

Cool – Stir in honey until it has completely dissolved. Let cool to room temperature.

tips for success

Store – This cough syrup recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 months in the fridge. This recipe can also be frozen to extend the shelf life.

To Use – Warm the cough syrup one Tablespoon at a time. Take one Tablespoon every few hours while you cold or flu symptoms last.

Substitutions – Manuka or buckwheat honey are recommended for homemade cough syrups, but raw honey will work in a pinch. Maple syrup can be used instead of honey, but it won’t add to the health benefits like honey does.

more homemade natural Cough remedies on the blog:

If you liked this elderberry cough syrup recipe, I think you’ll really enjoy these other natural remedies on the blog!

• Old Fashioned Cough Syrup Recipe
• Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
• Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
• Homemade Cough Syrup For Kids
• Homemade Elderberry Gummies

I hope you love this homemade elderberry cough syrup! If you make it, I’d love for you to come back and leave a comment and rating so that I know how you like using it!

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