Tincture: herbs prepared and preserved in alcohol, normally vodka.
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To make the most medicinal tinctures, one should use fresh plant material. But alas, elderberry season has long been over and after finding a recipe using the dried berries I decided to just use what I had on hand.
Make sure to clean your jars well! Place them in a sink of hot water for a few minutes and then dry before making.
You’ll need:
- small jar or mason jar
- dried elderberries (take out any stems or plant material)
- 80 proof vodka
Fill each jar 1/3 full with dried elderberries.
Fill the rest of the jar with the vodka, leaving a bit of head space and making room for when the berries expand.
Place the cap tightly on the jar, label with the contents and date, shake gently and then set in a cool, dark area for 7-10 days. After it sets for a week or better, you can then strain out the berries, leaving only tincture within the jar as leaving the berries in does not make it more effective as time goes on.
How to use:
Consensus seems to say that one would take a Tbsp of tincture 3 or 4 times per day during the first 2 days you feel the flu coming on and then to use multiple drops under the tongue for at least a few days there after.
*This post is linked to the Natural Remedies Carnival at Keeper of the Home!
I purchase my elderberries from Mountain Rose Herbs.
- small jar or mason jar
- dried elderberries (take out any stems or plant material)
- 80 proof vodka
- Fill each jar ⅓ full with dried elderberries.
- Fill the rest of the jar with vodka, leaving a bit of head space.
- Recap the jar, label with contents and date, shake gently and set in a cool dark area for 7-10 days.
- Strain out the berries, leaving only tincture in the jar.
*Elderberry is effective for combating the influenza virus (read: real flu, not a tummy bug) but not the common cold virus
*I would only feel comfortable giving this to adults because of the alcohol content.
**Remember, I’m just one person trying to do my best to keep my family healthy in natural ways. Please consult a medical professional or herbalist for personalized help!
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About Donielle
are the dried elderberries available at health food stores or is it best to order them online?
thanks!
[Reply]
Anna Reply:
November 1st, 2010 at 10:34 am
@jenna, here are my favorite places to buy :
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/ and http://www.morethanalive.com/ .
[Reply]
THANK YOU! I have picked elderberries the past two summers and never did much with them. Next summer, I’ll be pulling up your elderberry recipes for sure. Bookmarked!
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