No herbal medicine chest would be complete without elderberries. They are hands down one of the best defenses against sickness. While the entire plant can be used in various herbal remedies the most commonly used part is undoubtedly the ripe berries. Because of that I will focus on just using the berries.
The berries are usually made into a syrup or a rob and taken daily. Both the syrup and the rob can be used for boosting the immune system. They are also used for respiratory illnesses like bronchitis , asthma, colds, coughs and flu. Taking a dose daily helps prevent and control the ailments but if you do become sick then increasing the dose will help to shorten the length of the illness. So, now you know what this miracle syrup does. Lets learn how to make it.
The first thing to do is properly identify what elderberries aren't! There is usually only one plant that is confused with the elder tree or shrub and that is the common poke weed. Here is a picture of unripe berries on a poke weed. Notice that they grow in a downward, drooping cone shape and encircle the branch. When they ripen they will turn dark purple. You DO NOT want to confuse these with elderberries.
The berries are usually made into a syrup or a rob and taken daily. Both the syrup and the rob can be used for boosting the immune system. They are also used for respiratory illnesses like bronchitis , asthma, colds, coughs and flu. Taking a dose daily helps prevent and control the ailments but if you do become sick then increasing the dose will help to shorten the length of the illness. So, now you know what this miracle syrup does. Lets learn how to make it.
The first thing to do is properly identify what elderberries aren't! There is usually only one plant that is confused with the elder tree or shrub and that is the common poke weed. Here is a picture of unripe berries on a poke weed. Notice that they grow in a downward, drooping cone shape and encircle the branch. When they ripen they will turn dark purple. You DO NOT want to confuse these with elderberries.
Poke Berries Unripen Elderberries
Now here is a head of elderberries ripening. Notice that the berries grow upright in a flat topped round bouquet shape. The tree has a harder bark covering then poke and can grow much taller then the poke weed.
Ripening Elderberries Ripe Elderberries
Now here is a head of elderberries ripening. Notice that the berries grow upright in a flat topped round bouquet shape. The tree has a harder bark covering then poke and can grow much taller then the poke weed.
As the berries ripen they do begin to droop like the poke berries but you can see that they are not conical in shape and present a much larger head of berries.
To harvest the berries simply clip the entire head of berries from the shrub and take it with you. It is time consuming to remove the berries and you do not want to spend the afternoon picking tiny berries one by one.
Elderberries ripen over time and it is nearly impossible to find a head without a few unripe berries. Simply remove and discard those few green berries and stems as you remove the ripe berries into a bowl. You do not want to include the unripe berries or stems in your syrup because they will form a green foam which will not taste good and will have to be removed.
To remove the berries simply roll them off of the stems with your fingers. It is a simple task that will take a bit of time.
Here are some berries that still need a bit of cleaning to remove some stems and unripe berries. After they are cleaned you are ready to preserve the berries or make your syrup. To preserve them you can dehydrate them and store them in a jar. Dried berries can be reconstituted to make a perfectly good syrup at any time. You can also freeze the berries to make syrup whenever you get ready and have time. If you don't have access to fresh berries then it is possible to buy already dried berries at the health food store or online. Just use a bit more water then you would with fresh berries.
Elderberries simmering with spices.
There is very little difference in Elder Rob and Elderberry syrup. For the most part they can be used interchangeably. A rob is simply a fruit juice that is sweetened with sugar and reduced to make it thick. The syrup has the addition of spices (for added medicinal punch) and isn't reduced as thickly as the rob. I tend to combine the two into one and call it elder rob or syrup either way. To begin you will want to cover your cleaned berries with water. I don't use measurements because I don't know how many berries I will have each time. I usually cover to about two inches above the berries. Then I go ahead and add my spices in the pot with the berries and water. I use cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and grated fresh ginger. I add one or two cinnamon sticks, 1/2 ounce of ginger and about 20 cloves for each gallon of juice. If you don't have whole spices then it is ok to use ground spices. Simmer the berries in the water with the spices for about twenty minutes.
Straining the juice.
Strain the juice from the solids through a cloth lined sieve.
Return the juice to the pot and add your sweetener. The sweetener thickens the juice as it reduces so don't leave it out. Since I can the syrup I use sugar because honey would lose most of its beneficial properties if it is heated to boiling. I generally add the honey after opening if I use the syrup in a hot tea. Traditionally elder rob is made with "loaf sugar" or unrefined sugar so that is what I use. You can buy it in cones or discs in many of the ethnic stores and some grocery stores. You can just use regular sugar or brown sugar if you prefer. The loaf sugar will need to be grated if you choose to use it. The syrup needs to have enough sugar to thicken the syrup but mostly it is sweetened to taste. I make large batches so I have added up to two of the large discs of loaf sugar.
Finished Syrup
When your syrup is as thick as you like it or about the consistency of honey then it is ready to pour into jars and can it. I use pint jars. Ladle the syrup into the jars leaving a 1/4 inch head space. Wipe rims and place lids and rings on jars. Then process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes.
To use the syrup take two teaspoons of syrup daily to boost your immunity. If you become sick then increase the amount to two tablespoons per day to shorten the illness. If you have a cough, cold or a bronchial problem then add two tablespoons to hot water. Add some honey to the warm drink and sip the hot elderberry tea to help break up congestion in the chest and sooth coughs. Store opened syrup in the refrigerator.
Again, this is a must have for any Preppers medicine chest. Whether you harvest wild elderberries, cultivate your own as I have done or buy them already dried, I believe that this is one of the best ways to maintain good health and ward off illnesses both now and wtshtf.
Southern Wood Elf