Elderberry syrup has become a common remedy folks reach to to help with fighting off a cold. But did you know it is helpful for our Lymphatic system too?

I have to admit, I was late to the game when it comes to learning about Elderberry Syrup’s powerfulness. It wasn’t until I was an adult, learning Herbalism, that I first heard about it, and decided to make some for myself. Now it’s a staple in my house, and we take a tsp a day through the cold weather months to stave off colds and flus. It’s drastically reduced the number of cold bugs we get in the house, so I loved keeping it stocked the fridge, and make our stock from these Elderberry kits we have in the shop!

Not only is it tasty, kid approved, but it’s easy to make!

Hippocrates is said to have called the Elder plant his ‘medicine chest’, because he turned to this plant for a variety of ailments, it could do it all. For the many benefits Elder has, it's revered most in our modern times for being a go-to remedy for colds and flus, but it’s benefits don't stop there.

So how is Elderberry lymph-loving? First, let me share some insights about the Lymphatic System I’ve put together from my studies in Ayurveda and Herbalism. You may have heard this from me before, but I’ve come to believe that the Lymphatic System has many, many roles in the body! SOOO many! Of these, I think there are 4 primary roles: 1) Detoxify (take away the cellular waste), 2) Be the immune system highway, 3) Carry nourishment to our cells (nutrients and oxygen), and 4) Dissipate internal heat (our heat sink).

When we lean into the concept of ‘food as medicine, medicine as food’, elderberry syrup helps with supporting the immune highway, and adding nourishment to our cells really well.

Elder’s Gifts

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra, S. racemosa, S., cerulea)

• High in anti-oxidants, anthrocyanins a flavonoid contained in their purple/blue pigments (2)

• a complex herewith antiviral properties - contains hematogglutinin proteins which can help inhibit a virus’ ability to penetrate a cell wall and replicate (1)

• Speeds recover of cold/flu by 4 days on average (1)

• preventively strengthens the immune system over time, helping it fight stronger the next time

• eases systemic inflammation, which is very helpful for folks with chronic illnesses such as Lymphedema

• Eases arthritic pain

• Strengthens our eyes

Elderberry syrup is probably one of the best homemade herbal remedies that anyone can make. In our modern day life, simple, and tasty, make such a difference in adopting herbal remedies. I believe it is lymph-loving in that it helps the body with 3 out of the 4 primary tasks it has, and combine that with rest, you have all 4 primary tasks taken care of!

Here is my lymph-loving recipe that includes a few of my favourite lymph-loving herbs along with the Elderberry so they can help each other out here.

Ginger root

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is known in herbalism as a driver or catalyst. It amplifies the effects of the other herbs. It’s the hype up effect in a good way, as it can help drive herbal formulas deeper into the bodies tissues (2).

Rosehips

Rosehips are a classic herb, found all over the world. It’s the fruit of the rose, the culmination of all that effort of budding, blossoming, getting pollinated, then nourishing the rosehip to continue the cycle with its seeds and fruit. tempting to native animals and a source of wild food for birds and our animal friends. It has also been a source of wild food for indigenous nations around the world as tea, food, medicine, and part of sacred rituals.

Roses have many benefits including being one the highest sources of vitamin C naturally. 3 rosehips has as much vitamin C as a whole orange! Roses are a very heart loving, happy herb and lend their hopefully energy to a blend, which can be just what we need to help us fight off a cold that takes a beating on our spirit.

Calendula

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a type of herb called a lymphagogue. Neat right?! It is aligned with the energy of our lymphatic system, helping keep the rivers open, flowing, and nourished. Its knows to break up stagnation and also as a herbal remedy for the skin, healing cuts and wounds. Calendula help restore our gut by soothing inflammation which can be helpful with poor digestion, leaky gut, IBS, and more. It is said to contain the essence of the sun, and when we consume it, it brings us that happy, sunny disposition. In olden times, it was often added to soups and stews to brighten moods and balance out the effects of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in the darker winter months. I love adding it to my Elderberry Syrup kits for this reason.

Elderberry Syrup recipe

This Elderberry Syrup recipe is simple and easy to make!

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c. elderberries, dried

• 1-2 slices Reishi Mushroom, dried

• 1 chunk Chaga mushroom

• 5-10 rosehips

• 1 tbsp. ginger root, dried or 1 piece, thumb length, fresh, sliced

• 5-8 Calendula blossoms, dried

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 6-8 cloves, dried

• 8-9 c. filtered water

• 1-1/2 - 2 c. local honey

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a pot with water. You re basically making a strong tea here called a deconcoction.

• Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 45 min to reduce volume to half.

• Remove from heat and allow to cool.

• Strain through a mesh strainer or with some cheesecloth. Elderberries will stain, so be mindful of that when squeezing the berries.

• Measure what you have and mix 1-to-1 with honey, to make your syrup. If you honey is solid, you will want to liquify it to combine with the elderly tea.

Take the guess work out of where to get the herbs, and find the Elderberry Syrup kits are in my shop.

References:

(1) Zakay-Rones, Varsano N., et al. (1995). Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. Journal of aLternative and Complementary Medicine. Winter;1(4):361-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9395631/

(2) Maria Noel Groves. (2016). Body Into Balance. A Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care. Storey Books Publishing.