FAQs

Elderberry syrup is a natural remedy made from the berries of the Sambucus tree, known for its immune-boosting properties and rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients that promote overall health.

Elderberry helps the body by supporting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and providing antioxidants that protect against free radicals and seasonal illnesses.

We’re happy to accommodate reasonable ingredient changes, like swapping organic Ceylon cinnamon sticks for whole organic nutmeg, with a small up-charge for extra time and labor. Simply select the "Special Request for Ingredient Change" option at checkout and email us at support@aboveandbeyondshop.com to discuss your needs—if we can’t fulfill your request, we’ll happily issue a full refund.

The University of Missouri completed a successful study on taking elderberry while pregnant. The results showed elderberry to be safe. However, general Google search results are negative. This is because they're based upon European elderberry (which is high in cyanide). We grow American organic elderberries. Because elderberry isn't a hugely profitable pharmaceutical entity, it isn't well-researched with scientific evidence. Please review our ingredients and decide with your healthcare provider what feels safest for you.

Yes, elderberry is generally considered safe while breastfeeding. However, we always advise breastfeeding moms to discuss using elderberry syrup with their doctor to confirm it aligns with their health and milk supply goals.

The elderberries themselves are very low on the glycemic index, but our syrup does contain raw honey and maple syrup. Always consult your practitioner to make the best choice for you! Interestingly, studies have shown that when sweeter foods are consumed after eating a meal of fiber, proteins and fats, the blood sugar spike is drastically reduced to a spike within normal range (less than 30 point jump). Read more in Glucose Revolution.

We prefer for our family to consume the 1 tbsp of elderberry for adults, 1-2 tsps for Kids, after a balanced breakfast, eaten fiber first, then proteins, then fats, then carbs or starches. Studies have shown that elderberry may also help with insulin resistance and balancing blood sugar, but we encourage you to research on your own for the best decision for your health.

Coming this holiday season, we will offer Fresh Elderberry make-at-home kits for you and your family to enjoy making syrup together or gifting this experience to a friend, allowing you to add your own sweetness or to avoid it all together.

Elderberry may help relieve allergy symptoms by reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system, but it works best as part of an overall wellness plan.

While I certainly cannot offer medical advice, I’ll share what has worked best for our family and for our customers.

DAILY MAINTENANCE DOSE:
• Adults consume 1 tbsp per day
• Children 12+ consume 2 tsps per day
• Children 5-12 consume 1 tsp per day
• Toddlers 1-3 consume 1/2 tsp per day
• Infants under 1 may consider our honey-free recipe and consume 1/4 tsp per day and introduce this syrup like you would introduce other new foods and observe.

Our elderberry does contain raw honey so be aware of that for infants and choose our honey-free version if preferred.

Given the anecdotal (since we can’t claim anything) evidence of immune modulation the elderberry offers, if someone in the household is sick or been knowingly exposed, here’s what you may consider:

Exposure: increase dosing to 3 times per day

Actively sick: consider dosing every 2-3 hours until symptoms begin to fade away and then return to exposure or maintenance dose. If stomach is too upset to tolerate a full dose, try 1/4 tsp every 15 minutes to get up to full dose.

Again, these claims are not supported by the FDA and are for educational purposes only.

The amount of elderberry in one dose of syrup varies but typically includes 8 grams of elderberry in one tablespoon, ensuring an effective and therapeutic level.

Elderberry syrup can stay unrefrigerated for weeks depending upon temperature variables and lasts about 3-4 months in the fridge if kept on a back shelf for consistent cooling.

Our raw organic honey and organic lemon juice act as short term natural preservatives while your syrup ships to you or to accompany you while on vacation and traveling.

Raw honey doesn’t expand so you can always place your jar in the freezer. Frozen syrup retains its nutrient potency for 6 months and doesn’t spoil but may start to lose small amounts of efficacy over time, similar to frozen breastmilk.

Each batch of our elderberry is made with luscious organic raw honey and organic lemon juice, which act as a short term preservative while your jar travels to you! We test the pH level of every batch to ensure it’s safe for travel and safe to be out of refrigeration until it arrives to you! We ship all over the US, including Alaska and Hawaii and even to northern Canada! These journeys can take up to 3 weeks at times and our syrup always arrives safe and sound!

Our ingredient list does not provide an environment for harmful bacteria to grow within our shipping window. Upon arrival, be sure to pop your elderberry in to the refrigerator (after taking a swig of course!

We do recommend UPS shipping over USPS, as it’s much more reliable and always recommend adding in route shipping protection in case your jar ever needs replaced, as they make it super simple for me to get a replacement jar to you!

Homemade or organic elderberry syrup lasts about 3-6 months in the fridge after delivery if stored properly in an airtight container.

We use raw honey and organic lemon juice to drop the acidity of our syrup to a safe level, acting as a short term preservative to keep our elderberry safe for travel outside of refrigeration. While you do need to refrigerate your elderberry upon arrival, know that it is safe outside of refrigeration for the duration of travel, including longer shipping routes such as to Alaska, Canada and beyond.

Yes, that is expected! We don’t pressure-can our elderberry syrup because doing so would destroy many of the vital nutrients. Instead, we ship in food-safe bags to catch any rare leakage that can occur with temperature changes. If you do notice any syrup in the bag, simply pour it back into the jar. It’s not ideal, but it’s the best way to preserve those incredible nutrients.

Since we are a Private Membership Association, we only sell to members so we do require a one time fee of $10 for your membership. Beyond that, our fresh-pressed American Elderberry Syrup is $55 per jar. You may purchase a mason jar pour spout, sample size syrups, elderberry tea and spout cleaning brushes in our shop as well!

Our shop is a members-only shop (like Costco or Sam's Club). This allows us to offer the best ingredients in the freshest way while building a community of families who are investing in their health.

Becoming a member is easy! Just purchase a membership for $10 and you'll have access to all of our products, our community, and more - for life!

UPS recently disabled the option for me to choose a future ship date so when I print my labels early to get organized for packing, my system sends you a notification and estimated ship date based upon your address and how long shipping should take.

My shipping rhythm NEVER changes - orders always cut off the last Wednesday of the month, then we press our juice, fill our jars and pack out your fresh pressed elderberry on Monday! (Only exception is if Monday is a holiday boxes won’t start moving until Tuesday).

Our website is updated every month with the most recent ship date on the page where my elderberry syrup is listed.