It is that time of year! Immune boosting time! I love fall, I really, really do. What I don’t love? I don’t love all the sniffles, coughs, & snot that I usually start noticing from people around me. Since we homeschool we don’t have to deal with the mass amount of germs in the classroom but we do like to leave the house every once in a while and the kids go to various activities so I have my annual immune boosting preparation ritual. Elderberry tincture is one of my go-to’s especially for the dreaded FLU. I used to do elderberry syrup – it tastes SO good, maybe too good, we end up wanting to drink the whole thing! My kids don’t need the additional sweets even from a cough syrup so I try to save the medicinal honey for when they actually have coughs rather than as a preventative. I make elderberry tincture instead- not as tasty but just as beneficial. You can always add a little honey when you give the tincture to your kids to help the “medicine go down”.
Why elderberry?
Elderberry is high in flavonoids and triterpenes which give these tiny berries anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating effects. Elder also contains vitamin C, vitamin A, bioflavonoids, and iron.
These amazing little berries can even help boost immunity in back yard chickens! The ladies at The Practical Herbalist share their advice. “Elderberry is safe to feed birds in small doses. I like to give my chickens an elderberry supplement when the cold autumn weather comes in. Birds are susceptible to respiratory diseases. Add a few dried elderberries to the feed dish when conditions grow damp or if your bird starts to look listless.” www.thepracticalherbalist.com I love it!
Safety Note: According to famed herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar you should not eat the raw (uncooked) berries except in very small quantities as they can cause digestive issues and diarrhea in some people.
Simple DIY Elderberry Tincture
Ingredients
- Elderberries
- Echinacea Leaf optional but highly recommended
- Brandy or Vodka unflavored
- Distilled water
Instructions
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Place equal parts dry echinacea & dry elderberries in a food processor. Pulse 3-4 times. You do not want to create a powder, simply expose more surfaces of the herb. This creates a better tincture as the properties of the herb are more easily extracted. NOTE* This is an optional step that you can skip if you are in a hurry. I recommend doing it if you can, it gives you more "bang for your buck".
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Fill a jar about 1/2 way full with the echinacea, & elderberry mixture. Be sure and label your jar! (see FREE printable below)
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Pour hot, but not boiling distilled water over the herbs until they are re-hydrated. You do not want the herbs to float, you simply want to moisten all of the herbs.
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Pour Brandy or Vodka over herbs, making sure that the herbs are completely covered by the liquid. Wait 30 min- 1 hour, allowing the herbs to expand and drink up the liquid. If the herb has swollen above the surface of the liquid, add more alcohol. You want the herbs to be completely submerged. At this point the jar should be about 3/4 of the way full. If it more than 3/4 that is ok, just make sure and leave 1 inch headroom at the top.
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Put the lid on the jar and shake until everything is well mixed. Be sure to tighten the lid before shaking!
Recipe Notes
Store in a dry, cool area, like a cabinet, for 2-3 weeks. Gently shake the jar once daily. After 2-3 weeks, strain herbs off using a cheesecloth, and store your tincture in a clean dark colored, glass jar. Be sure and label your tincture! After 24-48 hours you may notice some residual herbs that have settled at the bottom of the jar. Strain the liquid again using cheesecloth or a coffee filter. You want a clean liquid, free of particles.
Dosage:
- For prevention – Adults: 30-60 drops (or 1-2 standard dropper-fulls) diluted in a little water, taken 3 times a day. Children (4-10 years old): 5-15 drops well diluted in water or juice, 3 times a day. You can also add a little honey if necessary. Senior Adults: 30 drops, 3 times a day.
- During illness: Take the same amount as above, but increase the number of times a day you take it. I suggest 5 times a day. Larger doses less frequently are not as beneficial as smaller doses more frequently. As always, be aware of your body and consult your care provider or herbalist if you have any questions or concerns. Always consult your care provider or trusted herbalist BEFORE adding herbs to your health regimen especially if you are pregnant, taking medication, or have existing health issues. HERBS ARE MEDICINE so treat them respectfully.
Storage:
Tincture should be stored in a dark colored glass bottle. Place in a cool, dark, dry place (cabinets are often a good idea). The tincture should last indefinitely due to the high alcohol content.
There are lots of other great recipes using elderberries at The Herbal Academy & Growing Up Herbal These are two of my favorite herbal websites. 🙂
I tend to forget to label my tinctures so I like to have pretty labels available to make it easier to remember 🙂 To make this label water proof, use clear packing tape (covering the whole tag) to adhere it to your jar.
Here is a FREE LABEL you can download with all the info you need! Enjoy!
Immune Boosting Tincture Tag ↓Feel free to buy using my affiliate links at no extra charge.
