Here’s the way some of my elderberry bushes looked this summer. The elderflowers are especially good for treating fevers, respiratory and sinus problems.
Now the flowers have turned to berries and some are ready to harvest! I can’t wait to gather enough elderberries to make my elderberry syrup!
The berries are not ready to be picked until they are a deep purple color. Some of the berries are still red, but some have turned purple. Be sure to get the purple ones before the birds do! 🙂 I gather the purple ones as they ripen and store them in a covered container in the fridge until I have enough to make my syrup. They can also be dried or frozen for longer storage.
As you can see on the cluster below, some of the berries are still a green color. I plan to check on them often to get them as soon as they are ripe. Elderberries are the perfect remedy for treating and preventing the flu. They are an amazing immune booster to help any and all sicknesses too! For prevention, I administer elderberry syrup once a day. For sickness, I normally give hourly; for severe sickness give doses every 15 minutes. You will be amazed at the results!! If you don’t have your own elderberries, you can purchase them at the Bulk Herb Store.
Do you have your own elderberry bushes? How do you use them?
This post is linked to: The Better Mom The Modest Mom What Joy Is Mine A Mama’s Story The Prairie Homestead
Far Above Rubies Growing Home
I just made my own elderberry syrup two days ago! 🙂
Awesome, Katie! It’s great stuff! 🙂
I do not have elderberry bushes, therefore I generally buy elderberry syrups already made from the health food store.
Too funny my husband and I were just talking about this, this morning. Our neighbors across the road have bushes, my husband talked to him to see if we could have them. He told us that they grow wild in this part of Louisiana, so I think we need to take a herb walk.
An herb walk is a great idea! I’m sure you’d find some! 🙂
I don’t have an elderberry bush but I have heard about the wonders of its syrup! I’m not sure how to grow such a bush, but would you ever send me a couple berries to grow from seed if that works?
http://munchtalk.blogspot.com
Hey, Jasanna! The bush cannot be started by seed, but has to be divided by the root. You can purchase an elderberry bush through the website below:
http://www.ediblelandscaping.com
How to do store the homemade syrup after making it?? thank you for the recipe!!
Hey, Alissa! If you make a honey syrup, store in the fridge for 3 months. A vinegar & honey syrup can be stored for 6 months in the fridge. Thanks for the question! You can read more about it in my Elderberry Syrup post:
http://jillshomeremedies.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-make-elderberry-syrup.html
Jill…I don’t know of anyone who has elderberry bushes but I will have to investigate more at the farmer’s market. Thank you for sharing the information at WJIM this week.