Amazing Benefits of Elderberry

The amazing benefits of elderberry are something not everyone knows! There are lots of things on our earth which are extremely good for health.

Elderberries are known as one of the most powerful members of the berry family which consists of cranberry, blueberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, etc.

These elderberries are not just healthy but also contain a high level of anthocyanin which is an amazing benefit. This helps to ensure that the immune system is working fine. Not just that, due to the antioxidants which come naturally and give the color of purple to the berries.

Speaking of the purple color, did you know you can dye natural fiber with elderberries? See how to later on in this post.

Benefits of Elderberries on Health and Skin

The berry comes with different properties that help in boosting the health as well as giving better health effects. Not just good health, but it also helps in the skin too. Here are a few benefits of elderberries that you should know.

Elderberries Help Improve the Immune System

The berries have Vitamin A as well as C just to name a few, which is highly recognized in keeping optimal health control. That’s why the berries are known for their abilities to boost your immunity and also help in improving digestion issues too.

Elderberries are often made into a syrup to help with flu and cold symptoms. The elderberry is high on the antioxidant chart. Elderberry tea has an immune-boosting quality when taken regularly.

Elderberries Help in Improving Brain Health

The berries are healthy for good brain health too. Also, there are some results that showed that berries could be helpful for those people who have Alzheimer’s. 

Elderberries contain quercetin which is used for reducing inflammation which can be harmful to the cellular level.

Kombucha Tea Infused with Elderberry

A natural probiotic drink can be made with kombucha infused elderberry tea is .

Benefits of Elderberry Tea for Bowels

If you are constipated, consuming tea made with elderberries helps immensely. The tea is a natural softener and helps with more bowel movements with ease.

Along with that, the compound in the berries keeps the digestion system working better. Elderberries are a fruit rich in fiber!

Amazing Elderberry Makes the Bones Stronger

There are elements like iron, calcium, and potassium which are present in the berry also helpful in keeping the bones strong and healthy. Bonus, you also get anthocyanin which keeps the bone loss prevention too.

Check out any Uses for Eggshells how I also use dried eggshell powder to improve bone health.

Improving your Skin with Elderberry

There are compounds in the berries, not just help in keeping the damage control of your skin, but apart from that, it is also beneficial for improving skin health too. Furthermore, it can also reduce wrinkles and give natural brightness to the skin due to the high level of vitamin A and anthocyanin in it naturally.

If you suffer from acne, elderberry can improve and boost the immune system which in turn improves the skin. Check out a natural face mask I make for acne and skin completion with DE for natural living.

Boosts Vision with Elderberry Syrup

The berries contain vitamin A and vitamin B6 which is used for preventing some extremely vision-related cases which also includes macular degeneration and glaucoma. Move over carrots!

Side Effects of Elderberries

• Consuming elderberries when they are not completely ripe or still raw can cause vomiting to severe nausea, as well as a good case of diarrhea.
• Do not overuse the berries, this can activate the immune system more than it’s needed which causes the scenarios of autoimmune disease.
• If using berries, ensure the berries are dried and not raw or you could get very ill. Some people experience gastrointestinal issues from elderberry tea. The tea also has a natural blood sugar-lowering ability. I am hypoglycemic and cannot drink tea made with elderberries.
• If you are pregnant or nursing, it is highly recommended to avoid elderberry tea. It’s best to err on the side of caution, make a small weak tea and see how that affects you, and gradually build up to a stronger tea if no issues occur.

Please read more from Web MD what they say about the uses and side effects of elderberries. You can find that post ELDERBERRY.

Growing Elderberries

Good news, elderberries produce fruit within two years of planting, a lot quicker than most fruit-bearing trees. Elderberry plants are pretty adaptable to full sun and partial sun and well-drained soil. It is customary to plant two different kinds of elderberries usually planted within 50-60 feet of each other. The American elderberry grows wild in the US zones 3-8.

A reliable company to purchase elderberry plants from is GURNEY’S, check out the site for the know-how-to-grow section too! NOTE: they recommend planting in the spring.

Dehydrating Elderberries

Dehydrating elderberries is the same as for drying blueberries. Since dried elderberries are best for consumption, dehydrating them should be done. I have a whole post on how to get started dehydrating that can be found on Dehydrate food naturally using a dehydrator.

Ways to Use Elderberries

• Tea
• Jams
• Syrups
• Gummies
• Wine, and other things
• For the baking process and brewing elderberry’s flowers are mostly

Elderberry Syrup in the Instant Pot

When using the Instant Pot for making elderberry syrup, the high-pressure infuses the flavor and I do not have to stand at a stove and watch it simmer if time is limited and I am busy (busy? what is that? lol)

• Elderberries-approximately 1/4 pound dried
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries are optional, my preference
• Filtered water 6 cups
• Ginger, freshly grated 1 tablespoon
• Cinnamon 1 stick
• Honey 1/4-1/2 cup

First, place all ingredients in the Instant Pot (minus the honey) and set it to a manual low-pressure setting for 10 minutes. You may leave it to natural release if you so choose or release it when finished.

Second, strain through a fine-mesh strainer, use a spoon or spatula and mash it through the strainer to get all the juices out.

Lastly, only once cooked and cooled, will you add the honey or other sweeteners such as maple syrup, agave syrup or sugar in the raw if you so choose.

Woodstove Elderberry Syrup

I love using my woodstove and while the wood stove is lit, I make use of it as much as possible. Making elderberry syrup on the woodstove is by far, my favorite method.

The slow simmering seems to make an especially thick syrup and the flavor seems better. It could be my imagination, but it seems so much better than using the Instant Pot. Mind you, I cannot make elderberry syrup using this method in the summer!

Ingredients for Elderberry Syrup

• Elderberries-approximately 1/4 pound dried
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries are optional, my preference
• Filtered water 6 cups
• Ginger, freshly grated 1 tablespoon
• Cinnamon 1 stick
• Honey 1/4-1/2 cup

Making Elderberry Syrup on a Woodstove

First, place all ingredients in the pan (a cast iron will produce natural iron too),(minus the honey) and set it on the woodstove. Bring to a low boil then pull away to a section of the woodstove that has less than high heat. Simmer at least 30 minutes, an hour is better.

Second, strain through a fine-mesh strainer, use a spoon or spatula, and mash it through the strainer to get all the juices out.

Lastly, only once cooked and cooled, will you add the honey or other sweeteners such as maple syrup, agave syrup or sugar in the raw if you so choose. I use additives as I use the elderberry syrup for variety especially in kefir.

Using an Electric Candle Warmer to Make Elderberry Syrup

I know, what is she talking about? Yes, I have used an electric candle warmer to make elderberry syrup. Especially in the summer. It’s very easy. Just heat up the ingredients on a conventional stovetop or microwave to a boil, remove from heat and add to a canning jar that was filled with very hot water. You can read that whole post with more directions on Electric candle warmer uses.

How to Make Elderberry Kefir

• Using a UV 12-ounce swing bottle
• Add 2 tablespoon elderberry syrup-must be room temperature or cooler
• Fill with fermented kefir water (leave 1-inch headspace)
• Cap and leave on counter 2 days
• Burb the bottle and place it in the refrigerator
• I omit the honey and add 1 tablespoon undiluted grape concentrate to the bottle for the “sugar”.

How Long does Elderberry Syrup Last?

Store elderberry syrup in the fridge and take a tablespoon every morning. Or take a tablespoon every morning when you feel that your immune system is getting low. The syrup will last approximately 2-3 months in the fridge.

Try freezing the syrup in ice cube trays. They will keep up to 6 months in the freezer when needing the added boost.

For canning, use small jars and be sure to leave a 1/8 inch headspace, boiling water bath 10 minutes, the mixture needs to be hot before starting the water bath.

How to Dye with Elderberries!

Instructions for Dyeing with Elderberries

I have been a weaver for almost 30 years and I love experimenting with natural fibers to dye cotton and linen fabric with. Earlier, I mentioned using elderberries for dyeing.

You can absolutely dye natural fibers with elderberries! This is where you would use the ripe elderberries. Hopefully, you can scout and find wild ones to save on cost. I use the entire elderberry, skins and all.

• Start with an old pot, preferably a stainless steel one
• Add white vinegar, filtered water, and crushed berries
• Next, add fabric, natural yarn or whatever
• Simmer for as long as you want a deepened color
• I usually simmer mine at least an hour or more
• Turn off, put a lid on and let sit overnight
• Rinse with cool water
• Starch if you like (I always do)
• Hang to drip dry on the line (not in the direct sun)
• Wool will need Alum to set the color

Experiment using vinegar to lower the Ph then hit it with baking soda to raise it. I never use the same method. I always experiment and forget to take notes. Probably because it’s all fun and it doesn’t matter what the end result is at the time. Also, use different parts of the elderberry bush.

You’ll be amazed at the wide spectrum of colors that will come from it. You can use the leaves to dye with too! Makes a beautiful yellowish to chartreuse. The bark of the elderberry actually makes a beautiful gray, which I am partial to.

Colors from Dyeing with Elderberries

The color will be anywhere from a light pinkish to a dark grape color or an in-between color of lavender. Once the color is achieved, I like to set my fabric once again in heated vinegar water again and wring out.

Furthermore, I keep the final natural product out of the sun for a few washings to preserve the color. I am not sure if this is written in stone, it’s something I usually do when I dye with natural botanicals.

In Conclusion

Have you tried making elderberry syrup, gummies, or wine? I would really love to hear your thoughts and recipes if you’d care to share. Please leave a comment and subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, we’d love to have you in our family!

Shop Here:

We are a participant with the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You will not incur extra fees or charges for using the links. We only recommend items we believe in and have tried. If I personally make or sell an item, I will mention this in the post for each item or items.

Visit our Amazon Storefront!

One pound of dried elderberries by Frontier can be purchased on Amazon

This is Instant pot (one of the ones I own) can be purchased on Amazon

Admittingly, I do not use the wifi very often but some say it’s convenient. This is the 6 quart and works nicely for smaller items.  I own 3 Instant Pots, one 6 quarts and two of the 8 quarts 🙂

This scale can be purchased on Amazon and is very accurate, bonus, the bowl may be washed in the dishwasher.

This Berkey (which I personally own) can be purchased on Amazon