Homestead Journal at Fat Turkey Farm

Making Tincture

My elderberries came in the mail on Friday.  I have been doing some research/reading regarding elderberries and the flu/Bird flu and decided that it would be a good thing to have some on hand for the family.  The way it works I have been reading is that it reduces the viral replication.  It was discovered by a scientist in Isreal and is commercially marketed under the name "Sambucol"  Given that Sambucol is too expensive for our family to use during a long flu bout, at their dosage, I would be going thru a bottle a day, I set out to make my own.

This is what I did. 

I ordered 1lb of dried elderberries from herbal.com  They are the Sambucus nigra variety ie. black elderberries, which are the only kind you can use for this.  They cost $5.30 per pound.

I divided them up into three steralized quart size canning jars, each jar should be 1/3 full with berries. That worked out to be about 1 1/3 cups per jar.  I had a few left over so I put them into a jelly jar, this can be my top off extra tincture after I drain the berries out.

They look like little purple rocks and smell a little peppery.  After you get them in your jars, you add your alcohol.  I have been advised to use 80/90 proof vodka for this.  Colored and/or flavored alcohol may not take up the needed elements from the berries.  Just fill up the bottles to the bottom of the neck.

It starts to turn purple immediately.  Cap them tightly and store them in a cool dark place for 7-10 days.  They must be shaken twice a day.  After your steeping period, you drain out the berries and rebottle, again storing in a cool dark place.  I have heard that this will store for up to 8 years.

Dosage is 2T per day for prevention dose and 2T 4X a day for intensive, like when your sick.  This is recommended to be started within 48 hours of exposure to the flu.

There is a recipe to make this with a sugar syrup, but I havent tried that yet, since i'm not too sure how well it will store on the shelf.  I don't want to waste a whole bunch of berries because it went bad.

Now for the disclaimer:

I AM NOT A DOCTOR!  If this interests you, I suggest you research it on your own and make your own decisions regarding making or using this!  Dont hold me responsible!

Untitled Comment

{ 12:18, May 28, 2006 } { Posted by Trina }

Spinnergal,
The sugar will not spoil your tincture. I have made a few cordials which is the fruit, sugar and alcohol...the longer they sit the better...Im going to have to try this.. thanks for posting this ...