Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are a fantastic home remedy for colds and flu and are backed by both science and traditional use.
They’re often turned into a sweet and tasty syrup, like homemade elderberry syrup made with honey,but can also be preserved and dosed in other ways, including this elderberry tincture.
![Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (1) Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (1)](https://i0.wp.com/thenerdyfarmwife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Elderberry-Tincture-pin-600x900-nerdy-farm-wife.jpg)
I chose to add a handful of herbs to my elderberry tincture to give it an added antiviral boost, but they’re completely optional.
Antiviral herbs you may want to add to include:
- bee balm (Monarda sp.) flowers
- lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves
- thyme (Thymus sp.) leaves & flowers
- sage (Salvia officinalis) leaves
- echinacea (echinacea purpurea) leaves & flowers
- hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
![Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (2) Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (2)](https://i0.wp.com/thenerdyfarmwife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ingredients-for-herbal-elderberry-tincture.jpg)
Ingredients needed for tincture:
- dried or fully ripe fresh black elderberries, without stems
- 80 to 100 proof alcohol for dried berries, 120 proof (if possible) for fresh berries
- canning jar
- herbs, optional (see list above)
Organic dried elderberries can be purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs.
![Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (3) Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (3)](https://i0.wp.com/thenerdyfarmwife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Straining-elderberry-tincture-600x414.jpg)
Directions to make elderberry tincture:
- Fill the jar about 1/4 of the way, if using dried elderberries, or 1/2 of the way if using fresh berries.
- (I don’t do this, but if you’re concerned about using uncooked berries, you can gently heat and stir fresh berries in a small saucepan for about 10 to 20 minutes before adding them to the infusing jar.)
- Add a few pinches of antiviral herbs in the jar, if you’d like.
- Add vodka, drinking alcohol, or Everclear to the jar until it’s almost filled to the top. (Fresh berries contain a lot of moisture, so it’s helpful to use the higher proof alcohol with them. Dried berries can benefit from the higher water content of 80 proof alcohol.)
- Use a chopstick or knife to gently stir and release any air bubbles; add more alcohol if needed.
- Cover with a lid, label, and tuck in a dark cabinet for 4 to 6 weeks, or longer.
- Strain and pour the elderberry infused liquid into glass jars or bottles.
Shelf life is at least one year, or longer.
![Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (4) Elderberry Tincture {with herbs} (4)](https://i0.wp.com/thenerdyfarmwife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Elderberry-Herbal-Tincture-600x396.jpg)
Dosage
This varies depending on the size of the person, but a traditional tincture starting point for an adult is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (1.25 to 2.5 ml) elderberry tincture, taken several times per day.
For my family, I mix just a few drops of tincture into a spoonful of honey to make it pleasant to take. You could also add it to a hot tea, to help the alcohol evaporate, or try dropping a drop or two into ginger ale.
If you’re pregnant, nursing, on medication, or have any health concerns or questions, please consult a qualified health care provider before using herbal home remedies such as this one.
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