History of Syrups and Elderberry Syrup Two Ways

What is herbal syrup?

Let's start of by asking the question "What is an herbal syrup?" There are many different recipes and ways to make syrups but the most basic answer would be a concentration of liquid sweetened with sugar or honey mixed with herbs that will be taken internally. Another name that they are sometimes are called is elixers.

Ancient times

In ancient Egypt syrups were made with honey. In fact ancient Sumerian clay tablets show that about one third of all medicines were made with honey. Whether they were all made into syrups we don't know as they also used it topically to treat things such as burns.

In the early 1500's Nostradamus was known for his herbal remedies including a cure for the Black Death. Some of his most well known and sought after medicines were syrups. Many of the mixtures worked. Some are said to have caused the deaths of many people including the poet Lucretius

The Colonies

In the early days of our country, syrups were an easy go to for many ailments. During the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, a big problem among the troops was diarrhea or dysentery. Syrups were easy to make in the field as they only required water and a sweetener.
One such recipe that may have been used is as follows:
"The root of blackberry must be boiled a long time in order to get out the strength-after the strength is out boil in a little milk and sweeten in, and let the patient drink at liberty. P.E. Sanborn, 1836" (From American Folk Medicine by Clarence Meyer)

Since February is Black History Month, I think it's important to talk about the many contributions that African Americans have had on our folk medicine history.
In 1619 the first African slaves were brought to the English colonies. Between this time and the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, many slaves who lived on plantations were responsible for treating themselves (and sometimes their owners) for any medical conditions that would arise. Especially in the 1600's and1700's trained doctors were scarce in the colonies and many of the slaves had contact with the local indigenous people. They would learn from them how to use the local plants as they had in Africa and this information would be passed down.
Many of the similarities can be seen when comparing the uses of a plant as in this example from "Hoodoo Medicine: Gullah Herbal Remedies" by Faith Mitchell

Cherry, Wild Black
Official use: The dried bark has been listed with USP continually since 1820. All parts of this plant yield hydrocyanic acid when steeped in water. The medical properties of the bark are destroyed in boiling, so the plant should soak only in warm water.
Other Afro-American use: Tea from cherry tree bark, taken cold, will stop menstrual flow almost at once. Syrup for sore-throat-wild cherry bark, hickory bark, and horehound leaves. Boil down and add sugar to make syrup.
Native American use: Syrup for colds, pains of childbirth, pains and soreness in chest, diarrhea. Poultice for wounds and sores.To make eye wash-soak bark in water.

One such slave is Lucy Higgs Nichols who escaped her owners during the Civil War and joined the Union army with the 23rd Indiana Infantry Regiment. She was known for her wonderful foraging skills and abilities as a nurse. Seen here depicted in a painting by Kathy Grant.

Black History Month

In more modern times, much of this information was passed down. An amazing and inspirational story of that is Emma Dupree.

Emma Dupree was one of seventeen children born to two freed slaves. She grew up in North Carolina. Always connected to the earth. She had people lining up to get her tonics and syrups. Never turning away anyone for lack of payment. We can all learn a lot from Emma Dupree. A video made available by East Carolina University can be found here.
Syrups have been in our history for hundreds if not thousands of years. A way to make a bitter herb taste more palatable. A means of administering medicine to the reluctant. We owe many of the remedies we have today to the invention of syrups.

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry has gotten a lot of press in the last couple of years and is one of my most asked about herbs. It has been shown to be an anti-viral that is effective in fighting the flu virus. Additionally, Elderberry is an immune booster and anti-inflammatory. As we saw in the chapter on constituents, Elderberry contains Cyanogenic Glycosides which can act as a mild sedative. Additionally they contain Flavanoids which are antioxidant in nature.
Elderberry syrup is an easy and tasty way to get those benefits. Especially into school age children and those reluctant to try natural remedies. This is due to the sweetness of both the berries and the raw honey that is added to the syrup.
Another great way to ensure a picky child gets their elderberry is to make them into jigglers. once you have made your syrup, use one half syrup and one half water in the typical jiggler recipe. This is the recipe I use:
Use one cup of elderberry syrup and boil along with 1.5 cups of water. Add boiling water to two (4oz) packs of jello and store until dissolved. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours and cut into bite size pieces.

Elderberry Tincture Syrup

Many people that are already comfortable with herbal medicine, prefer to use an elderberry tincture. Tinctures are herbs that are set in alcohol and taken internally as medicine. We will have a unit dedicated specifically to tincture making in a future lesson. You can, however, make or purchase elderberry tincture from a reputable herbalist in your area.
A friend recently told me that she makes her syrup using tincture instead of boiling the whole berry. Once the tincture has been set (at least 4 weeks) you would need to strain your tincture and heat at a low heat until most of the alcohol has evaporated. Once cooled, add raw honey to create a syrup. This would need to be dosed as a tincture (by drops or dropper fulls) rather than as a typical syrup (usually dosed by the teaspoon or tablespoon).

Additional Syrups

Many other herbal syrups can be made using the same principals. Wild Cherry Bark is many times used in syrups to treat cough. Goldenrod could be mixed with other herbs to make an allergy syrup. Willow Bark and Blue Vervain could be mixed to make a pain relief syrup. The key is to know how long and what temperatures to heat the herbs. Additionally some herbs lose some of their medicinally properties if heated. So, research is key when making syrups. But I encourage you to try your own! Let me know what you make on our Facebook Page, Instagram , or (if you are a subscribing member) on our Facebook Group!