How to Make Elderberry Medicine ~ Home Apothecary Series

"Elder’s berries have immune-enhancing properties, and they’re often combined with echinacea in immune-stimulating remedies for colds. The berries also have powerful antiviral properties and so are helpful in treating viral infections including flus, herpes, and shingles. They’re also used for treating upper respiratory infections."

~ Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide 

Plainly said, elderberries are immune building and bad-bug-busting berries! They have both antiviral properties and are anti-inflammatory which make them a natural flu and cold fighter that can relieve coughs, sore throats, (upper respiratory infections) bronchial infections and sinus conditions. They can also be used to treat herpes, shingles, while some claim it even helps with allergy relief. The berries are also high in vitamin C, flavonoids , and other polyphenols. 

"Both elderflowers and dried Elderberries contain substances which ease inflammation and pain. Dried Elderberries soothe the intestines and have been used for all inflammatory bowel diseases. They have a very gentle laxative action, which may explain their decongestant properties. They also have a mild tonic action to help arrest diarrhea. Many other herbalists besides myself have observed a strong connection between bowel problems and respiratory congestion. There also appears to be a strong connection between bowel obstructions and fevers in children."

~ The ABC Herbal by Steven H. Horne

In order to properly identify an elderberry bush, here is a video clip of herbalist Rosemary Gladstar sharing information about it, what it looks like and where it grows (I don't have one to show you pictures myself). The bush flowers in June and July (and are used medicinally as well). Harvest only the ripe elderberries (around September-ish) as consuming unripe berries may cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Note: These recipes all use dried elderberries which are more concentrated (I don't have access to fresh). In order to use fresh, simply double the amount of berries called for in these recipes. 

How to Make an Elderberry Tincture ~ 3 Ways

One of the most popular ways to preserve the elderberry for use as a medicine {with an excellent shelf life} is to prepare an elderberry tincture. You can create a medicinal tincture with either 80-100 proof vodka, gin, brandy or rum (we use vodka), apple cider vinegar or food grade glycerin. Alcohol makes the strongest extract, vinegar the second strongest and finally, glycerin is the least potent (but it's beauty is in the fact that it is sweet tasting for children, is without alcohol and boasts a longer shelf life than the vinegar option). Please visit here if you are concerned about using alcohol based medicine.

This post will teach you How to Make a Tincture with elderberries and shares about the proper dosage.

$weet $avings: If you regularly purchase Sambucol syrup for your household, you would be saving a lot of money if you made your own! Use the glycerin-based tincture recipe in order to reproduce something similar. A 7.8 ounce bottle of the syrup on Amazon runs for $19.87! To purchase a pound of organic elderberries will cost the same amount but will enable you to make many different types of elderberry medicine with a significantly larger yield! 

Elderberry Throat Spray Recipe

To make this herbal throat spray, mix together 2 tbsp. of elderberry tincture (recipe shared above), 2 tbsp. of raw honey, 1 tbsp. warm water and 1 drop of peppermint essential oil (make sure your essential oil is food-grade, if not, use 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract). Pour into a small spray bottle and use as needed (hold sprayer close to mouth, press button briskly for a full spray to the back of mouth and throat areas). {This recipe was inspired by The Nerdy Farm Wife.}

Elderberry Oxymel Recipe or Immune Boosting Herbal Soda

Visit here for our instructions to make an elderberry oxymel or an immune boosting herbal soda.

Elderberry and Nettle All-Natural Allergy Tonic

Visit here for our instructions to make this all-natural and effective allergy tonic. 

Elderberry Infused Herbal Honey Recipe

To learn how we make an Elderberry Infused Herbal Honey, visit here.

Elderberry "Scrap" Syrup Recipe

This is a handy recipe to make with all your elderberry scraps (see below for explanation of what I am calling a "scrap") or you could also make it with fresh and dried berries (amount are shared below).

• 2 cups "used" elderberries (I gathered all the discarded berries from the projects shared here ~except~ for the alcohol based tincture since they were "spent" after that project, and I added them to a freezer container each time and froze them until I had 2 cups worth {some are coated in honey and glycerin but that is no problem). This is intended to make a frugal syrup by utilizing the last medicinal goodness of the elderberry (I wanted to stretch them because I have to purchase mine). However, if you have access to an elderberry tree, you can just use 1 cup of fresh elderberries instead or even 1/2 cup of dried elderberries. 

• 3 cups water

• 1 cup raw honey 

• optional: 2 tsp. of our homemade mulling spice or 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, and/or some ginger, or a strip of lemon peel

Place berries, water, and spices (if using) in a stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Let this cook for 30 minutes and then smash the berries to release any remaining juice.  Strain the mixture. Once the liquid has cooled down to a warm temperature, stir in honey until it dissolves. You don't want to put the honey in while it is hot since it will kill the beneficial enzymes present in raw honey. Ladle into clean quart jar. This syrup will last for about 2 months if stored in the refrigerator.

Important Note: Infants under 1 year should not be given honey.

Elderberry Medicinal Infusion DIY

You can also use the elderberries (or even the "used" ones after a project) to make a medicinal infusion. Place about 4 tablespoons of dried elderberries in a clean quart jar or teapot. Add in some boiling water and let this steep for about 30 - 40 minutes. Strain and drink a cup three times a day (or until symptoms subside).

Prepare an Elderberry Tisane (Herbal Tea Blend)

You may also like to prepare a tisane (herbal tea blend) with your elderberries. My husband drinks different combinations each night before bed to relax (and benefit from the herbal properties). For example, once we tried a bit of lavender, chamomile, a few rose hips and lemon balm. Be creative! What do you have growing right now? Prepare your blends according to the seasons! Citrus peels are fun to use and very wintery while the florals are easy to find in the spring and summer.

Elderberry Link Up

Do you have any recipes or information on elderberry usage? We would love for you to share with us! Please join our all about elderberry link up! It will be open until the end of this month (December 2014) in order to give you the opportunity to share all you have on this magnificent fruit (and the medicinal elderflower as well)!

Printable Information Sheets for Your Herbal {Printable Herbal Here}:

Elder (sambucus nigra) Monograph Sheet (usage, properties, etc.) by The Mind to Homestead
Elder (Herbal Information Sheet) by Annie's Place to Learn

Elderberry Fact Sheet from the USDA

Further Reading and Recipes:

About Elderberries and How to Make Elderflower Fritters by Deep Roots at Home

How to Make Elderberry Cough Drops by The Mind to Homestead

How to Make Elderberry Vinegar by Mary Jane Butters

Don't know where to find elderberries, etc? I purchase my supplies here {affiliate links}:

              

This article is a part of our Create Your Own Home Pharmacy Series.

Disclaimer: I am not a certified herbalist but a homemaker interested in the arts of natural healing. The information I have learned has been gleaned through study of some of the following favorite books; Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, Grow Your Own Drugs by James Wong, and The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs by Reader's Digest and websites of herbalists (such as the Bulk Herb Store Blog).

I am not a doctor. While I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use, remember that using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is approved by the FDA or intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. All things on this blog are my opinion or the opinion of others. Also, if you have a medical condition, are taking pharmaceutical drugs, or are pregnant, please consult your physician prior to taking herbs.

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. Picture of fresh elderberries courtesy of Wikipedia.