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Elderberry Gummies for Immune Support

Posted By Diana M On In Cooking,Kids,Recipes | 6 Comments

Prevention is a huge part of my winter wellness strategy. I’d rather not wait until the yuck has already spread to start a protocol. When the temperature starts to drop it serves as a gentle reminder that it’s time to start boosting everyone’s immune systems. Add these Elderberry Gummies for Immune Support to your daily routine to stay well this winter and beyond. 

Elderberry syrup on its own is rather tart and can be quite messy. I don’t mind taking it from a spoon, but little ones and busy people do better with gummies. Pop them in your mouth when you’re on the go and never miss a dose. Plus, your kids won’t realize they are actually doing something good for their bodies. And who doesn’t love fruit snacks?

These homemade elderberry gummies are perfect for all members of your family, and gentle enough for daily consumption.

I like making my own gummy snacks. That way I can eliminate any unnecessary ingredients, and incorporate Vitality essential oils for added support. My kids have been loving these NingXia gummies [1] with vitamin C, but sometimes you need to kick it up a notch. Especially during cold and flu season.

Sure, you can buy premade gummies at the store, but it is much more fun (and cost-effective) to make your own. I found these cute fruit molds that are the perfect size for gummy snacks. You can make as many as 184 gummies at a time in about 10 minutes, plus cooling time. That is enough to last all winter long!

Black Elderberries

Black Elderberries, or Sambucus nigra, are dark berries harvested from the black elder tree. Elderberries (like all berries) have a high concentration of antioxidants and vitamin C. They can boost the body’s immune system and may even improve or shorten the symptoms of illness.

Harvested elderberries are dried and made into a liquid. You can find them commercially in the form of a liquid, syrup, gummy or lozenge.

This recipe uses elderberry liquid instead of elderberry syrup. Elderberry syrup (over the counter) is already mixed with ingredients like fructose and natural flavors. A single teaspoon can contain as much as 4 grams of sugar.

Elderberry liquid contains a higher concentration of black elderberries, meaning it’s more potent in immune-boosting antioxidants. This Now Foods Elderberry Liquid [2] contains a 10:1 ratio of elderberry concentrate, or 500mg per teaspoon. It packs a serious punch!

You can always substitute elderberry syrup in this recipe. Use an organic brand that does not contain any corn syrup or artificial flavors like this one from Gaia Herbs [3]. Be sure to adjust the amount of honey to your liking, since the syrup already contains a sweetener. 

Honey

Honey is slightly sweeter than sugar, so you can use less of it in a recipe, while still achieving a satisfying flavor. It also contains added nutrients like Vitamin C, folate, calcium, and magnesium. None of these are present in sugar, making it a better choice if you are trying to stay well. Honey also contains useful bacteria and probiotics that may aid in digestion. A healthy gut is also super important in maintaining overall wellness!

Unflavored Beef Gelatin

This ingredient serves double duty in this recipe. Gelatin is what gives food a gelatinous form. It is present in foods like pudding, Jell-O, marshmallows and even in cosmetics. Gelatin is derived from connective tissue, bones and other body parts of animals.

When taken as a nutritional supplement, gelatin can improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails, and may even reduce joint pain and inflammation. Gelatin replenishes valuable collagen that has been depleted over time.

Not all gelatin is created equally. My favorite brand to use is Great Lakes. It has a high concentration of protein and no additives. It also contains amino acids that you won’t find in other comparable protein products. Plus, it is kosher and gluten-free. Great Lakes adheres to the highest level of standards of production.

Vitality Essential Oils

I love using vitality essential oils in my cooking and baking recipes [4]. They are also delicious when added to tea or other beverages. Thieves vitality [5] is my favorite for the winter months when I may be feeling a little less like myself. I added lemon vitality to give it a burst of citrus. 

You can mix up the vitality oils in this recipe. Some others to try are orange, ginger, cinnamon bark, and jade lemon.

New to essential oils? Learn more about how we use them and why you should use them as well. [6]

Elderberry Gummies for Immune Support

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Course: Snack
Cuisine: Supplement
Keyword: elderberry gummy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Resting time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 92 gummies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup elderberry liquid [10]
  • 2 tablespoons gelatin [11]
  • 1/4 cup very hot water
  • 2 tablespoons honey [12]
  • 1-2 drops Thieves Vitality
  • 1-2 drops Lemon Vitality

Instructions

  • Pour elderberry liquid into a medium glass bowl. 
  • Add gelatin and stir to dissolve.
  • Top with hot water (not boiling) and whisk with a fork to remove any clumps.
  • Immediately add the honey and vitality oils. Use a dropper to pour into molds for best results.
  • Cool in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. Pop the gummies out of the molds and eat.
  • Store in a glass jar in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. 
  • Take 3-4 gummies per day. Increase dosage as needed.

Notes

Put the molds on a cookie sheet before filling so they remain flat while moving to the fridge. I had the best results filling the molds with the dropper that was included with the mold set. No mess and so much easier than I thought it would be!
You will need to work quickly so the liquid does not harden. If it begins to turn into jelly, simply heat it up the microwave for 20 seconds to return it to liquid form. 

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