These simple Elderberry recipes are easy to make and always great to have on hand. Making your own medicine doesn’t need to feel intimidating. In fact, it is a process that can be fun and rewarding. I made these for my mom who was just recently sick and she found them to be very helpful.
These little berries are packed with nutrients! They are rich in Vitimans C, A, and Potassium; are heart healthy, anti-inflammatory, and contain high levels of antioxidants such as flavonoids. (1)
With these benefits, it’s no wonder why elderberries are frequently sought out in cough, cold, and flu medicines. They sure do pack a nutritional punch!
Now lets get to it!
How to Make Your Own Elderberry Medicine
Equipment
- 2 Pint-sized glass jars
Materials
Elderberry Tincture
- Vodka or Glycerin
- Elderberries fresh or dry
Elderberry Syrup
- ½ cup Elderberries fresh or dry
- 2 cups Water
- 2 sticks Cinnamon or 1 tbsp of dry cinnamon powder optional
- 5 whole s Cloves or ½ tsp dry clove powder optional
- 1 inch Ginger grated or 1 tbsp dry ginger powder optional
- 1 cup Raw Honey ideally raw & local honey for extra benefits
Instructions
Making your own elderberry tincture is as easy as 1…2…3
- Get your pint-sized mason jar or glass storage container
- Fill container half way up with berries
- Add vodka or glycerin to the top of the jar
- That's it! You just made your own tincture!
- Making your own tincture is easy, but it does require patience once all combined it MUST sit for 4-6 weeks before use
How to make Elderberry Syrup
- Add your chosen ingredients into a pot with water and bring it to a boil
- Once boiling, reduce the heat, pop on a lid, and allow it to reduce until it looks like half of its original volume (about 30-40 minutes)
- Once reduced, turn off the heat and cool the syrup to room temperature
- Strain the cooled syrup until smooth and well-filtered, and store in a jar (your jar should have roughly 1 cup of liquid)
- Now pour your honey into the jar and stir until combined
- That's it! You just made your own syrup!
Notes
- If using vodka and a jar with a metal lid, put a sheet of wax paper on before lidding the jar. Alcohol does not like metal, and you do not want any possible problems in your finished tincture.
- If using vodka, its best to use 40% ABV (alcohol by volume) making it an 80 proof
- Alcohol tinctures last longer while glycerin tinctures are best for only 2 years.
- Keep tincture out of direct light; it is best stored in a pantry or cabinet.
- It is best to shake the tincture every day or every other day during that 4-6 week steeping period.
- Be sure to label your jars with the date of preparation, and optionally, you can write down proportions of berries to liquid if you wish.
When making the syrup, honey is very important in your final product for a few reasons:
- Honey is a preservative which helps the syrup last longer.
- Honey has a whole slew of health benefits.
- Honey adds necessary sweetness (because elderberries are not sweet on their own), making some of the tastiest medicine you have ever had!
When using elderberries, it’s important to note that raw elderberries (especially the seeds and unripe berries) can be toxic. Cooking or processing them into syrups, tinctures, and supplements can help mitigate this risk, allowing you to enjoy their benefits safely. Which is why I advise against pressing the berries when making the syrup to avoid any possible exposure.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before adding a new supplement to your routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. Also, when trying a new medicine make sure to take an extra small dosage to determine if there could be any possible allergic reactions. And as always, be extra careful with your sick little ones, and administer an appropriate dosage based on age, height, and weight.
As always, talk to your doctor to determine if these are right for you.
May God bless you and yours.
<3 K & J
(1) Baum, Isadora. “10 Health-Boosting Benefits of Elderberry.” Health, Health, 26 June 2023, www.health.com/health-benefits-of-elderberry-7506026.
