Boost your immunity and make your own elderberry gummies this winter
Elderberries are great for your immune system and can help aid cold and flu symptoms, as well as sinus pressure. When I first wrote this post, we were in the middle of a nasty flu season, and elderberry syrup was a a great addition to the medicine cabinet. But what if you had elderberry gummies on hand? And what if you were able to make them? (Hint: Keep reading – you CAN make your own elderberry gummies and boost your immunity this cold and flu season.)
Early in December I was struck down with a terrible fever, aches and pains. I went to Facebook to ask for tips to kick the fever. I diffused oils, ran a vaporizer and the one piece of advice that people kept giving me was take elderberry syrup. The problem? It was Sunday night when I was hit with the sickness and I couldn’t even think of where to get elderberry syrup. Of course my mom is smart enough to have it on hand, and she sent her bottle of syrup down to my house. I took it and really did feel so much better by the next morning. The downside? I hated the taste of the elderberry syrup.
And I don’t think I have to remind friends and regular readers of the blog of how sick our household has been this winter. We’re finally in week three (maybe four?) of no fevers, and all it took was a lot of visits to the doctor and switching daycares. (My daughter was exposed to so many fewer germs when we switched childcare providers and it. was. glorious.)
But now it’s time to fight the germs before they get the best of us. Again.
Why is Elderberry So Good for You?
Elderberries are filled with antioxidants and vitamins that may help boost your immune system. I take them daily now – even in the spring and summer, so my immune system has a fighting chance.
How many elderberry gummies should you take?
I like to take 1-2 gummies each day. During the winter, I take two a day. My kids usually have one each day. Elderberry gummies are so good for colds! At the first sign of a cold, I increase the number of elderberry gummies (and other vitamins) I am taking each day.
If you don’t have elderberry syrup, and would like to make your own, scroll down to that recipe. Otherwise, continue on with this gummy recipe. It’s so great for kids and adults!
Ingredients to Make Your Own Elderberry Gummies:
3/4 cup apple juice (unsweetened)
1/4 cup elderberry syrup (you can buy it or try the recipe below)
3 1-ounce packets Knox gelatin
Candy or bite size treat mold – this is a 24-cavity candy mold, but a different shape than what I have shared in the photos.
How to Make Elderberry Gummies:
Step one – In a medium sauce pan, add the apple juice and elderberry syrup. Sprinkle the gelatin on top and whisk to combine.
Step two – Place on stovetop under medium/low heat, uncovered. Stir constantly until the gelatin is completely melted (about 2 minutes).
Step three – Remove from heat and allow to cool for 2 minutes before transferring to your favorite molds, filling up to the top.
Step four – Chill for 1 hour and remove from molds. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Take 2-3 per day to help boot your immunity.
Yields: 3-4 dozen (depending on size of mold used)
Elderberry Gummies
Boost your immunity for cold and flu season with these DIY Elderberry Gummies!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup apple juice (unsweetened)
- 1/4 cup elderberry syrup
- 3 packets Knox gelatin
Instructions
Step one - In a medium sauce pan, add the apple juice and elderberry syrup. Sprinkle the gelatin on top and whisk to combine.
Step two - Place on stovetop under medium/low heat, uncovered. Stir constantly until the gelatin is completely melted (about 2 minutes).
Step three - Remove from heat and allow to cool for 2 minutes before transferring to your favorite molds, filling up to the top.
Step four - Chill for 1 hour and remove from molds. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Take 2-3 per day to help boot your immunity.
How to make your own elderberry syrup
Ingredients to make elderberry syrup:
1 cup dried elderberries
4 cups water
2 Tablespoons fresh ginger (grated)
2-3 cinnamon sticks
6-8 whole cloves
1 1/2 cups raw honey
How to make elderberry syrup:
Step one – Place the water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves into a medium pan.
Step two – Heat over medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, reducing the liquid by half.
Step three – Remove from heat and allow to cool at room temperature for 10 minutes. Pour the warm elderberry liquid into a mesh strainer (over a bowl to catch the liquid). Using the back of a large spoon, mash the elderberries into the bottom of the strainer to squeeze out the juice. Discard the contents left in the strainer.
4. Cool the liquid for an additional 15 minutes at room temperature. Add the honey and stir well. Transfer to a glass container or mason jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Elderberry Syrup
If you don't want to purchase elderberry syrup, you can make your own using this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 4 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons fresh ginger (grated)
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 6-8 whole cloves
- 1 1/2 cups raw honey
Instructions
Step one - Place the water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves into a medium pan.
Step two - Heat over medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, reducing the liquid by half.
Step three - Remove from heat and allow to cool at room temperature for 10 minutes. Pour the warm elderberry liquid into a mesh strainer (over a bowl to catch the liquid). Using the back of a large spoon, mash the elderberries into the bottom of the strainer to squeeze out the juice. Discard the contents left in the strainer.
Step four - Cool the liquid for an additional 15 minutes at room temperature. Add the honey and stir well. Transfer to a glass container or mason jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
What are you doing to stay healthy this winter?
I have tried some elderberry syrup – but the one I bought tastes EH.
These are too cute! I should make some for my kid. š Sneaky way to get ’em in her.
RIght?? I’ll be the first to admit that the syrup does not taste amazing. But to have something on hand that might help with the taste (and still have the benefits of fighting all of the cold and flu nastiness), I’m all for it.
How many gummies should you give when fighting a cold or anything? Also how many can you have daily as an extra boost for the system?
I take up to three in a day. Sometimes I’ll take all three at once, but when I’m not sick (which has not been often lately – I’ve been fighting bronchitis for weeks) I might only take one or two in a day.
When using fresh elderberries, how many cups would you use to make the syrup?
I would double the elderberries (so 2 cups in this instance, instead of 1.)
I have extracted all my elderberries in to juice. How much plain juice should i use?????
I think you’re still going to need to make a syrup (you can use honey.) Depending on how much juice you have, use half that amount of honey for the syrup.
Where do you get dried elderberries?
I can get them locally at a health food store (we have a surplus of stores in my city.) You can also find them on Amazon. (https://amzn.to/392JOpC is an affiliate link to a smaller package on Amazon.)
Iām not sure where it went wrong but I did not like the gummies AT ALL! Me and my daughter both spit them out! I followed your elderberry syrup recipe and the syrup is good! The gummies however almost have no flavor and when you chew them it doesnāt feel like what your eating is edible.. really wanted this to work for us!
Is this too much gelatin you think?
I’m sorry to hear this! I would recommend using the same amount of gelatin, but using more elderberry syrup and less of the apple juice. You could even try 3/4 cup of the elderberry syrup and 1/4 cup of unsweetened apple juice. One of my kids doesn’t like the taste of elderberry syrup, so a bland taste is better for him.
I am an ardent fan of Black Elderberry. I discovered it when I was working in a grocery store and coming down with colds every couple of months. Black Elderberry helped not only to ward them off, but if I did get one, reduce the days. I have taken both the syrup and gummies. I was wondering , however, if heating the Elderberry syrup lessens it’s effects, like heating honey?
I saw that you mentioned you were fighting bronchitis for weeks. Though Black Elderberry is phenomenal in fighting viruses (keeping them from reproducing in the cell host), it does little for bacteria, which is usually the cause of bronchitis. But keep taking it to help your immune system stay strong and I hope you get well soon and stay healthy.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Blessings,
Marianne
Thanks for our comment! In regards to bronchitis, I often get colds that turn into bronchitis a couple times a year. I take elderberry gummies on a daily basis now to help lessen the colds (so it doesn’t lead to something more.)
How much is 3 packets of Knox Gelatin? I have a bulk bag of gelatin and I’m not sure how much to use. Thank you!
A packet is roughly 2 1/2 teaspoons (according to the Knox Gelatin website). š
I will so be trying this.
I just made Linzer tarts with elderberry jam, so this will be a great new way to try elderberry syrup.