Four Ingredient Elderberry Gummies (Plus a 2 Ingredient Elderberry Syrup Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Do elderberry gummies work as well as elderberry syrup? ›

The syrup is absorbed most quickly by the body—whereas if you take elderberry gummies, capsules, lozenges, or teas, they're less potent and/or take longer for the body to digest. Not to mention, the gummies often have added sugar.

Elderberry appears to have few side effects when used properly for short periods of time (up to 5 days). Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take elderberry. If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, ask your doctor before taking elderberry, as it may stimulate the immune system.

Preventative Use: Take 1 teaspoon daily during the cold and flu season. During Illness: Increase to 1 teaspoon 3 times a day at the onset of symptoms.

There is a downside to consuming too much elderberry, and that is an upset stomach. Just like with any high fiber fruit, eating too much can cause stomach pain, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Added sugars and other ingredients: To make them palatable, gummies often contain additional sugars and may have artificial colors or flavors. Lower potency: Gummies may contain less elderberry extract per serving compared to syrup, meaning you may need to consume more to get the same effects.

Cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers and liver and kidney function are not altered in postmenopausal women after ingesting an elderberry extract rich in anthocyanins for 12 weeks.

When it comes to maintaining a strong immune system, black elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are the preferred choice.

Elderberry is rich in antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation as well as cholesterol and blood pressure. “Elderberry's phytonutrients and fiber content helps to lower the amount of cholesterol circulating [in your blood] by binding to [the cholesterol] and expelling it from the body,” Best said.

We get asked all the time, “Do I need to refrigerate my syrup?” And the answer is YES! Most of the store-bought elderberry syrups out there are packed with preservatives, which is why they can last in the medicine cabinet for so long. Most preservatives are sugar laden and unhealthy for our bodies.

What is the best time of day to take elderberry syrup? ›

Although there is no specific time of day to take elderberry, you'll maximize its benefits by using it consistently on a regular basis. You can choose whether to use it morning, afternoon or evening. It may be best to use elderberry for short periods of time to support healthy immune function, and then take a break.

Additionally, this recipe was written to be canned in a boiling water bath for shelf-stable storage. Without this heat processing it is not shelf-stable, and the syrup MUST be refrigerated or frozen. Elderberry jelly has many of the same delicious benefits, although it does have more sugar too.

To neutralize toxins, specifically cyanide-inducing glycosides, heat treatment is a must. Boiling elderberries for at least 30 minutes is the go-to method. This ensures the destruction of harmful compounds. Steaming or baking can also do the trick, as long as the berries reach a high enough temperature.

Symptoms of eating uncooked berries, leaves, bark, or roots of the elderberry include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (2). There is one report of eight people falling ill after drinking the juice from freshly picked berries, including the leaves and branches, from the S. mexicana elder variety.

For flu, some studies have used 1 tablespoon of an elderberry syrup extract four times a day. Another common form of elderberry is a lozenge, often with zinc, that is taken numerous times daily after a cold begins. Ask your health care provider for advice.

Many people take them to help prevent or treat colds. Elderberries may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. However, human studies don't currently provide much evidence to support these uses ( 1 ).

Elderberry is commonly used for the common cold, flu, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses, with the possible exception of the flu. There is also no good evidence to support using elderberry for COVID-19.