**Disclaimer: I am not a health care professional, just a momma sharing what has worked for my own family. It is always best to consult a physician before taking any medicinals, natural or otherwise**
This fall/winter season has bean a DOOZY on our little family for coughs and colds! Our first couple of rounds of sickness seemed to come after the times I caught my youngest licking, yes licking, the shopping cart (soooo gross, I know!), but he hasn’t done that for a while, and we’ve had about 2 more rounds of colds, and I am determined to get this stuff gone!!
Following the birth of our oldest son, I diligently researched natural health rememdies, and it was then that I learned about the wonders of elderberry syrup. I ordered dried elderberries, and then carried them around with me as we moved for about 3 years, always meaning to make it, but never getting around to it!
This year, when our youngest had a little bout of the croup, I went to the health food store and the lady highly recommended elderberry syrup. I was determined that I was going to make it this year, no matter what! The first recipe I tried was the most common one, containing cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, but my babies said it was too spicy! They would take it, but only with a little chaser of OJ afterwards, so I was determined to do something different with the next batch I made.
This past week, all of us have had some kind of sickness that we are just not-so-happily sharing with each other, and out came the elderberry syrup. The syrup is a huge help, but with all of us taking it on a regular basis, we ran out last night! So, this morning I went on the hunt for a different recipe that would be more enjoyable for the kids, especially with how often they have to take it! I came across this recipe, which packs kind of a double punch with both elderberries and ACV, and with a good amount of honey in it, I hoped that it would make it tolerable for my kiddos. That was a no-go… the acv still carried a bite over everything, so I pulled out the elderberry gummies recipe I had also found, stirred in a couple of extra tablespoons of honey, and now my babies are begging to take their medicine, and this momma is happy because it’s all beneficial to their bodies!!
To start off, I made the elderberry syrup by bringing the dried elderberries, cinnamon and water to boil, then allowing them to simmer until the liquid is reduced by about half. Next, I used my slotted spoon to kind of smash them while they were cooling in the pan.
When they were mostly cooled, I strained the elderberries through a piece of cheesecloth, then rinsed out the pan and returned the strained liquid to it. I then whisked in the honey and ACV and put it in the refrigerator to cool.
Elderberry Syrup with ACV (original recipe HERE)
2 Cups Dried Elderberries
4 Cups Water
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
3 Cups Raw Honey
1 Cup Raw ACV
Bring elderberries, cinnamon, and water to a boil then simmer until liquid is reduced by half; remove from heat.
When elderberries are cooled, strain. Rinse out pan and return strained liquid to pan.
Whisk in honey and ACV until combined. Store in refrigerator for up to 8 months.
Servings: 1 Tsp for kids, 1 Tbsp for adults
For the gummies, I started out by greasing my square cake pan with a little coconut oil. I then combined 1/2 cup of elderberry syrup and whisked in a couple extra tablespoons of raw honey. I then spinkled the gelatin over the syrup and whisked it in. Next, I poured the hot (but not boiling) water into the gelatin mixture, and whisked that until the gelatin was dissolved (I had to stick my finger into it and check the bottom to see if it was dissolved or not). Once the gelatin is dissolved, I mixed in the remaining elderberry syrup, and poured it into the greased pan. It set up in my refrigerator in about an hour, but the original recipe says 2 hours, so I assume it will go based on your refrigerator, and perhaps the humidity, etc.
To determine servings, the amount of elderberry syrup in this is 1 Cup, and there are 48 tsp in 1 Cup, so I weighed the gummies when they were completely chilled (mine weighed 473 grams). I give my children one square each, they weigh about 7 gram, and I take about 4, which is about 28 grams.
Elderberry Syrup Gummies (original recipe HERE)
1 Cup Elderberry Syrup ∧∧∧∧
2-3 Tbsp Raw Honey
1/4 Cup Gelatin Powder (I used grassfed beef gelatin)
1/2 Cup Hot Water (not boiling)
Coconut oil
Prep pan or silicone molds by greasing them with coconut oil.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup elderberry syrup and honey. Sprinkle gelatin over syrup and whisk in thoroughly. Add hot water (not boiling) and whisk until gelatin is dissolved.When gelatin is dissolved, mix in remaining elderberry syrup, and pour into greased pan or molds.
Chill 1-2 hours, until completely set up. Cut into cubes/remove from molds.
To determine the appropriate serving size, I weighed the final amount of gummies, and divided that by 48. Whatever number that is, is the serving weight needed for childen, every 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and 3x that for adults.
Ie: The total weight of my gummies was 473 grams, divided by 48 came to just under 10 grams, and the cubes I cut mine into weigh approximately 7 grams. Therefore, I give my children one gummy cube, and I take about 4.
If you have any questions or comments, be sure to leave it below!
I hope this helps you and your family as it has mine!!
<3/Jenn
impassionedkitchen 