6 replies to this topic

[LaBellaVita]

or do you think store-bought things would be better?

Thanks!

[Fullpantry]

I've made elderberry tinctures, but also have Sambucol for the kids. Don't really want a bunch of drunk kids running around!!

[Christy]

Vodka tinctures, elderberry syrup and the new berries are ripening. They are going to get processed as soon as they are ready.
Even DS saw the light and bought a few bottles of vodka to mix the last of the dried berries with the liquid.

[Andrea]

I have everything to make the elderberry/vodka tincture but haven't gotten to it yet. I've been tied up with processing all of the fresh produce that is overwhelming us right now! I also have lots of Sambucol on hand as well as elderberry capsules but I need to get to the tincture since it takes awhile to make.

[Jori]

Please explain what you are talking about, I'm totally clueless.

Thanks

[LaBellaVita]

Please explain what you are talking about, I'm totally clueless.

Thanks

Jori,

I'm still learning about this myself, but basically tinctures are a "medicine" you make by soaking herbs in something like vodka. Let it steep for x weeks, and then its ready to use. 1 t maybe a couple of times a day, depends I'm sure.

You can find info online. See what herb is good for what issue you want to prepare for (allergies, colds, flu, etc), then you can make a tincture for it.

HTH!

[PureCajunSunshine]

Looksee: Everything you need to know about alcohol-free elderberry syrup for preventing flu (be sure to read the cautions concerning avian flu, and be aware that this may also apply to the swine flu as well):
http://mrssurvival.c...mp;#entry308335

For another in-depth discussion on another board about making your own elderberry medicinals... (I posted my recipe there as well, and the thread grew into quite a collection of info, including growing your own.)
http://thisbluemarbl...ead.php?t=13844



Herbally speaking (as some of you know), some herbal medicinal properties can be extracted more completely with water than with alcohol. On the other hand, other components can be extracted more completely with alcohol than water. Since both alcohol /water extracts of elderberry are known to work as a flu preventative, I'm willing to bet that using both kinds of elderberry preparations during the course of a day would provide a broader spectrum of coverage. Although I have had complete success with using only the non-alcohol syrup, I do stock the alcohol tincture as a back-up and for extra insurance...

I am not a licensed medical professional, just an old timer with a bit of traditional herbal know-how. This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your doctor. That being said...

My personal flu arsenal includes 3 big elderberry 'guns':

1) My favorite choice: syrup (for on the road or home use - needs no refrigeration)
2) lightly sweetened juice (for home use - needs refrigeration / freezing)
3) alcohol tincture (for home use - needs no refrigeration)

That way I am sure to receive every possible compound that can be extracted via alcohol (which is a dandy resin extractor), as well as what can be extracted via water.

BTW, my experiences have only been with the European variety of elderberry, and I have not yet tried the native American varieties for colds and flu (but soon will). Others have, and I'm happy to hear how well our native varieties work. I'm hoping to be able to beat the birds and bears to the local elderberry patches this year. I would like to personally test drive the American elderberries and compare them with the European Sambucus nigra variety under the challenge of ordinary colds and flu before any Big Pandemics get here...

There are many varieties of elderberry native to the USA, but be sure to use only the black berries (or blue/black), never the reddish colored varieties. The black or blue/black kinds are safe to use, once they ripen and darken. The red elderberry varieties are poisonous, and none of their berries will ever ripen to the characteristic dark color, no matter how old they are. Also, the strictly ornamental varieties sold in nurseries are not considered to be of medicinal quality.

Harvest tip: use a fork to comb the berries off the 'umbrella'. Carefully pick out the unripe lighter colored berries before processing. A few here and there are unavoidable, but a few too many will make you sick.

Regardless of which recipe you use (alcohol tincture or syrup), if you are using fresh berries you may follow the same recipe that call for dried berries, but use twice the amount of fresh berries as you would dried.




BTW, here is Goatlady's simple foolproof recipe for elderberry tincture.

"Use any REALLY clean, preferably sterilized, glass jar - size does not really matter, but quart canning jars seem to be preferred for ease of storing, sterilizing, and filling. In ANY size glass jar, fill the jar 1/3 full of dried black (S. nigra) elderberries, this does NOT have to be exact, eyeball measurement is just fine.

One pound of dried elderberries will eyeball-fill 3 quarts with a bit left over or you can just evenly divide a pound of the dried berries between 3 quart jars. More really does NOT make the tincture stronger. Now fill the jar almost to the top with vodka, not less than 80 proof. DO NOT USE any other alcohol you happen to have in your stash no matter the proof, brand or type. VODKA = TINCTURE; Other alcohol = non-medicinal alcohol.

Now, cap the jar securely, give a shake or two, and store in a cool, dark area for 7-10 days. That is the universally accepted time period to produce tincture. Longer does not make stronger; phases of the moon MAY have some effect but there is no documentation on that so far. After the 7-10 days you can strain off the liquid and toss the berry residue. DO NOT think to reuse that residue, the resulting liquid will not work as you expect. Your tincture is now ready to use should there be influenza in your area. You do not have to strain off the liquid, but the tincture is not going to get any more medicinal just sitting there soaking the berries. The alcohol molecules fill up to capacity within the 7-10 days and can absorb no more no matter how long it soaks."


(Note: some people prefer to tincture for one full month. It certainly wouldn't hurt.)

Here's what Goatlady says about dosages:


How do you use elderberry tincture?

Since elderberries medicinal properties work directly on Influenza A or B virus present in the body it could be taken as a preventative. It would be in the body ready to grab any Influenza virus that enters the system and prevent the virus from taking hold and setting up an infection. When an adult exhibits symptoms of influenza infection i.e. sudden onset of high fever, dry persistent cough, weakness, commercially prepared elderberry preparations suggest taking internally 2 teaspoons of preparation every 4 hours i.e. Sambucol. To use homemade elderberry tincture consensus of opinion seems to be that taking 2 Tablespoons every 6 hours or so for 7-10 days will do the trick. There will be a reduction in symptoms within 2-3 days of taking elderberry tincture as per recommended above, but the virus will still be present so take for the full 7-10 days just like taking an antibiotic for a prescribed treatment course.


As a preventative, most suggest using a tablespoon full twice a day - usually take one before going out in public and than another at bedtime. This is just to get the stuff in your system to nab any virus you may pick up while out shopping, going to church, etc.

Edited by PureCajunSunshine, 06 August 2009 - 06:23 AM.