Elderberry Infused Herbal Honey {Immune Boosting Sweetener}

Just a spoonful of sugar does indeed make the medicine go down! This elderberry infused herbal honey can attest to it. This is another simple project that you can do to build up your winter pantry and immune system at the same time.  It is almost too easy to share a tutorial for... 

To begin, you will need some dried elderberries as you don't want any moisture in the honey (in order to keep it shelf stable). You can purchase some here and will be able to make tinctures and other medicinal goodies with them so they won't go to waste (you will find our collection of elderberry recipes here).

Note: If you choose to use fresh berries, the honey should last up to 6 months or longer if stored in the refrigerator.

"... the berries contain many of the essential compounds as the flowers and are traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory to soothe coughs, sore throats, and bronchial infections and to make sinus conditions looser. Elderberry has powerful antiviral properties that combat various flu strains and have been shown to shorten the duration of flu attacks, so it is extremely useful for children and the elderly during the winter months."

~ James Wong, Grow Your Own Drugs

The other ingredient you will need is raw honey (local is best). It is not only tasty but anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Honey can reduce coughs and sooth sore throats, helps fight indigestion and contains a plethora of beneficial vitamins and minerals (more honey information is found here). And finally, it boasts an excellent shelf life!

Important Note: Infants under 1 year should not be given honey.

When paired together, raw honey and elderberry is a gentle immune booster for the body as the weather changes into the chillier months. Keep in mind that if you want a stronger medicine against the cold or flu, you will want to prepare a tincture.

1. Fill any sized (clean) jar that you choose, 1/4 of the way up with dried elderberries.

2. Pour raw honey over the berries and fill your jar all the way to the top. Cover with lid.

3. Set jar in a warm sunny spot for two weeks. If your honey is runny, you can flip your jar every few days to mix the berries through. If your honey is thick like mine was, you can simply stir the honey every few days to infuse the mixture.

4. When the two weeks are over, strain the berries. If your honey is runny, this will be easy. If your honey is thick, you will notice that all the berries float to the top and you can simply remove them with a spoon.

Homemaking Hint:

Don't discard your precious elderberries (especially if you paid for the dried like we did)! Methinks they are not quite "spent" yet.  Boil some water and prepare a large batch of tea with them (they will be sweetened already as they are coated with tasty honey). This will be a healthy drink for your family. You could serve it hot with some other herbal tea mixed in or you can serve it chilled with some ice. I used our leftover pieces to make an elderberry "scrap" syrup (see recipe here)!

This herbal honey will keep in your pantry for many years.

You can spread your herbal honey onto toast, drizzle over oatmeal, stir into yogurt, sweeten tea and lemonade with it or simply take a teaspoon a day! This would also make a nice get well gift for someone who is under the weather (our complimentary label is shared below). You can add a pretty tea cup and some herbal tea to complete the sweet sentiment.

I don't know about you, but I love adding beneficial goods to my pantry and watching my winter provisions grow! It gives one that old fashioned pioneer feeling of preparing for the seasons ahead. 

We are sharing a printable recipe and label below (label will fit nicely on top of mason jar lid) that you may like to include in your herbal. If you enjoyed this simple project, you may also be interested in making Pooh's Medicinal Honey or Elderberry Oxymel for an Herbal Soda Syrup. For our complete collection of DIY elderberry recipes, visit here!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. While I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use, remember that using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is approved by the FDA or intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. All things on this blog are my opinion or the opinion of others.

PRINTABLE HERBAL RECIPE Elderberry Infused Herbal Honey by JES

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