With Autumn definitely on its way, and the sun starts setting early, now is the perfect time to give you body a boost with this delicious, nourishing and health-boosting elixir.
I’ve been making it for quite a few weeks using dried elderberries from last year and dried nettle that I had gathered this Spring. I have to say that I can’t keep my hand out of the fridge with this one. With no sugar and only the scrummy, warming flavour of organic honey to sweeten it, even the most risk-averse inner child (or outer one for that matter) will love it!
Ingredients
- 4tsps of dried stinging nettles
- 2 cups of boiling water
- ½ cup of dried elderberries
- 1 cup of cold water
- 340 grams of organic honey with royal jelly
Suggested Instructions
- The night before, put the nettle into a heat-resistant jar with a lid and add the boiling water. You can use a saucepan if you like) Leave to infuse overnight—the strain in the morning, reserving the liquid.
- Next, put the elderberries into a pan, add the nettle liquid and the cold water, then bring to a simmer, and keep simmering for 30 minutes without a lid.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool, add honey, stir, pour into sterile bottles, and then keep in the refrigerator.
Makes: Approximately 500ml
How is this elixir consumed? By the spoonful or is it diluted with water?
Jessica: 1 tbsp on its own or diluted in water either hot or cold.
Can you explain in a little more details what exactly you use this for, the body boost seems a little ambiguous.
Vince checkout the work of world renowned Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu who has dedicated her life to researching the health benefits of Elderberry extract, and has established a clinically proven treatment against flu… Hence why I used the phrase.
I make the elderberry cordial every year and love it, no colds for me. I did a work shop recently and I showed people how to make it. Magical , precious liquid. Amazing properties . Thank you Robin you are an inspiration
A great recipe but what would the amounts be for fresh nettles and fresh elderberries please? And when made do you just take a teaspoon when you want it or mix it with water?
Janine and Keith: You can use fresh nettles and elderberries, but you’ll just have to experiment with quantities. Maybe double the amount of fresh berries, and just make a regular nettle infusion.
can you use fresh ingredients to make this elixir? As the nettles on the lane near our caravan have been strimmed about four times this year and are producing lovely fresh new growth. Funny enough as they are growing under ripe elder flower berries
What would the amounts be?
Good one! Hadn’t thought of combining the two.
Am curious Robin, do you dry the nettles and elder flowers in a dehydrator?
Wow! That’s a whole jar of honey so I’m presuming the elixir is meant to be diluted? I haven’t tried this recipe yet but it sounds great so thank you in advance for sharing.
Hi Robin
Thanks for the elderberry elixir. Not tried it yet but certainly will do and prefer that it is made with honey instead of sugar and so easy to make.
Robin. Love the recipe but what should I use if o didn’t have the foresight to dry nettles in the spring. Is it to be.diluted?
Thanks robin
Deborah: Drink 1 tbsp a day, either neat or mixed in with water hot or cold.
I’ve used fresh ingredients – about 12-15 nettle tops and a cup and a quarter of elderberries and simmered it down to the right consistency using the same amount of water as in the recipe, then, mash the elderberries with a potato masher and sieve the lot and added honey to taste – in my case a tablespoon – and diluted it 2:1. I suspect the jar of honey is a hangover from our addiction to jams, jellies and cordials.
I’ve got to keep this one in mind for next year. I didn’t think of the option to dry elderberies but rather used them up during season.
What about using elderberry powder?
Nice recipe I have been making elderberry syrup for the past two winters no flu at all. Prefer to make nettle soup but will definitely try this. Thank you
Hi Robin
I am allergic to honey. What would be a good healthy substitute ?
Steve – Try a simple sugar syrup.
I don’t see anything about the nettle hairs needing to be removed through a first boil and toss. How are you drinking this without reaction to the stinging?
Karina – Nettles don’t sting once put in hot water. See step 1.
Hi, for the honey it is 34 oz organic honey with royal jelly right? Just want to make sure because I’m recipe it says 34og.
Amanda – It’s 340 grams
Does this call for stinging nettle LEAVES? That is all I can seem to find – wasn’t sure if I should be looking for leaves, root, or something else.
Yes Rebecca, you need to only use young leaves. I’ll change the instructions to make that more clear. Thanks for pointing that out.