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Here are several different recipes for Elderberry tincture. This tincture is very simple to make and you can't hardly mess it up.

Very Basic...

A gallon jar
A pound of dried elderberries
Vodka, cover berries with at least an inch and continue to add more over the first few days to keep the level up as the berries will absorb quite a bit of the alcohol.
Shake every day for at least thirty days. I wait 60 days.
Strain out the berries. Put used berries in the compost pile or toss.
Bottle in clean amber bottles (at least one with a dropper).
Store jars in a cool dark place. Don't forget to label them with date bottled. Will keep almost forever this way.

Here are some variations on the recipe and methods from some other herbalist folks. I got this from the Flu Clinic at Current Events forum. They have many different thoughts on this subject and one could spend days over there reading about elderberries, however I just wanted to get the recipe out here and show you that there are as many recipes as there are folks that make it!!

Variations from other herbalists

From Summerthyme

However, it's best to make a tincture in a CLEAR alcohol- vodka or everclear, rather than brandy or rum or any of the flavored or colored booze. The reason is that much of the alcohol has already taken up the flavoring or coloring, and isn't "free" to absorb the active ingredients in your herb.

Doesn't mean you have to toss this batch-it's more of a FWIW.

Anyway, as long as your herb is fully covered with alcohol of at least 40% (80 proof) it's fine. You need to let it sit awhile though- 2 weeks should do it, although I'll often put herbs to tincture in the beginning of the harvest season and not bother with straining and bottling until fall.

Shake it once a day or so to help move things around a bit, and give it time to do it's thing


Goatlady

Salal Sue, take a quart glass canning jar, add enough dried berries to fill about 1/3 of the jar, fill the jar to the "shoulder" with vodka, screw the lid on, give a quick shake, and put in a dark cabinet for 7-10 days. At the end of the 7-10 days, take another clean quart glass canning jar and strain the liquid into the new jar and throw the berries away. This tincture will be medicinally potent for years in this form kept in a dark, cool place. If you are going to want to start taking it right away, do not strain the berries out, just dump everything into a stainless steel pot or glass pot and bring to a slow simmer on lowish heat. I add about 1/2 cup of sugar to this simmering liquid, but you can add more or less to your taste. Simmer slowly for 10-15 minutes then strain out the berries and save the liquid in a clean jar in the refrigerator as by adding the sugar it will not keep very long on a shelf but in the fridge will be just fine while you take a shot every day. I keep on sugared in the fridge and the rest unsugared in the cabinet for adding sugar later for use as I need it. I also made lots using brandy instead of vodka - it's not so sharp and would be better for children's taste. Same process as with vodka. As far as dosage, I take about 1-2 tablespoons a day but if you already have flu take 1-2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. Herbal stuff is not like prescription drugs in that each person taking herbals takes what works for their body and situation. It's very hard to overdose on herbals, there are just a few to be careful with but those few are not in common every day usage, and most novices do not even know what they are and would have no call to be using them.


Herb mountain

I can see Goatlady and I have different teaching but they vary and are the same at times.

This is the way I was taught.

Take a glass jar, say 32 ounces. Fill the jar 3/4 full of elderberrys. Now top the jar off with vodka. I have always used 80 proof and that is fine. Some like to use Everclear and that is illegal in Ca.

Infusion methods. Barks, berries and root take a little longer to infuse. Leaf and flowers I infuse for 2-3 weeks. Harder matter I infuse for 3-6 weeks and longer depending on the strength I desire.

The first week you have to keep checking the level of the vodka as the berries will absorb the vodka and your level will drop. You need to keep the tincture topped off so no air is allowed in the jar. This air can create bacteria above the vodka line. Shake once a day and keep in a dark cabinet like Goatlady says.

If you want a less alcohol mix and a sweeter taste for the kids.

Drain off the liquid and toss the berries.

Make a double boiler. I use a large dutch oven and add a sieve. I use a 4 to 8 cup glass measureing cup. I note how much is there and simmer down to half the original amount. But first add vegetable glycerine. If you have 4 cups of elderberry liquid, add 4 cups of glycerine. Now you have 8 cups of liquid. On a low heat add the measuring cup to the sieve and cook down to 4 cups of liquid. You have now made a glycerine tincture containing no more than 5% alcohol. This will make the tincture sweet and also reduce the tincture to an extract. You are removing the liquids and leaving a much stronger elderberry medicine. One dropper full, two times a day is good for the immune system

Goatlady I have studied for about 23 years now and the teachers I studied with have about 30-35 years experience. But what I have found is the teachings vary. Some teachers put their spin on the recipes so we all learn different techniques. And yes, in the first few days the dried material absorbs some of the vodka as the alcohol softens the dried berries and roots. The process then becomes an extraction process. That is why the alcohol needs to be topped off until this absorption ends.

And yes. There are anerobic bacteria that can grow above the vodka line. We just try to take away all chances of that happening.

DOSAGE CORRECTION ON GOATLADYS ON THIS DATE



Sources for the Elderberries...

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkherb/bulkherb.php (These folks also have the amber bottles)

http://www.sfherb.com/

http://www.herbalcom.com/

Coutesy of Summerthyme,

Simpler Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Guys... I know that some have had trouble figuring out my Elderberry Syrup recipe as I posted it over the years. I think this will be easier for most. If you've ever made jam or jelly, you CAN make this in well under an hour! It IS that easy. Heck, if you've ever followed a recipe of any kind, you can make this!

(if you're starting with dried berries, to get "juice", put 1 cup of berries in a quart jar and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. If they soak it up, add a bit more. Stash in the fridge or a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours. Then strain, and squeeze every bit of liquid you can out- you can twist the berries in a muslin towel and get most of it) You'll need three "jars" of the stuff to get enough for 7 cups. )

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

7 cups elderberry juice
8 ¾ cups honey
3 cups 80 proof vodka


Warm the elderberry juice to “hot, but not boiling” temp… between 150 and 180°F should be plenty. Stir in the honey and stir until it’s completely dissolved and blended.

Remove from the heat, and stir in the vodka.

Pour into sterile jars or bottles (sterilize them by boiling for 5-10 minutes in boiling water, then let drip dry upside down until filling)

Cap and LABEL. Store in a cool DARK place (or bottle in dark brown glass)

Standard dose for adults would be:

Prophylaxis (prevention) 1 tablespoon 2x a day. If there is active flu in your office or family, double that, or take more often.

Treatment: 1-2 tablespoons every 3-4 hours

Children under 12: half the adult dose

Toddlers and infants: Talk to your doctor! But, lacking that, 1 tsp at similar intervals to the adult dose should be adequate.

There is NO way to overdose on this! Put it in juice, jello, pour it over ice cream- any way you can get the kids to take it is fine.

Alternatives:
If you do not want to use any alcohol in the syrup, use
7 cups elderberry juice
14 cups honey

Proceed as above, ignoring the reference to the vodka.

If you don’t want to use honey (probably best to NOT use it for babies under 1 year)


7 cups elderberry juice
11 ½ cups sugar

Elderberry Trumps Tamiflu for Flu Remedy
by Paul Fassa, citizen journalist
See all articles by this author
Email this author


(NaturalNews) Concerned about using Tamiflu if the second, much worse swine flu breakout comes as promoted and promised? You should be. Besides the insufficient supply that is getting closer to its expiration date, Tamiflu is only partially effective. Furthermore, it's very expensive, and the side effects are so harsh and dangerous that it has been banned in Japan.

According to the New York Times, February 5, 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) has even admitted that Tamiflu is not as effective as previously believed. But there is an alternative for several flu viruses, both type A and type B. It's a natural remedy that has no side effects and is inexpensive. It has been around for quite some time as a cold cure. But lately it has proven effective against virulent flus. It is Black Elderberry extract.

Tamiflu Hazards

The Sydney (Australia) Herald on April 20, 2009 reported in its world section that a Japanese study had been completed on the side effects of Tamiflu with negative results. A major reason for the study was to determine if Japan should lift its ban on Tamiflu, which, the Herald article stated, was very unlikely because of the of the conclusion of that study.

Out of 10,000 test cases of Tamiflu used by young people under 18, over half exhibited unusual behavior after taking Tamiflu. That behavior was sometimes as extreme as attempting or committing suicide. Eighteen deaths among young Japanese were associated with taking Tamiflu.

The 1918 flu pandemic reached such a high death toll primarily due to secondary bacterial infections. There is evidence that the use of Tamiflu creates an invitation to secondary bacterial infections. The "normal" side effects include fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, headache and coughing. The only positive of this very expensive medication is symptom relief for one and a half days out of a six day term of flu. But the side effects mimic the flu symptoms anyway!

Black Elderberry Extract Benefits

A clinical trial during a severe flu outbreak around 1992-93 in Israel confirmed a perfect cure rate of severe flu victims there. Another study performed in Oslo, Norway more recently, around 2002, also confirmed the amazing efficacy for type A or B flu victims of several different strains. The cures mostly occurred in two days while a few were cured in three days. Tamiflu cures occur normally in 4.5 to 5 days. It took 6 days or more for the flu victims on placebos to recover.

What was used in both Israel and Norway was a Black Elderberry extract product of Israeli origin. There were no side effects from taking this inexpensive flu cure. At the end of this article there is a simple Black Elderberry extract remedy recipe. In other words, you will be empowered with making an abundant supply of this extract cure to have on hand.

Elderberry has a very high ORAC, or oxygen radical absorption capacity: over twice as much as blueberry. In addition, antioxidants called flavonoids stimulate the immune system. Other compounds in elderberry, called anthocyanins, have an anti-inflammatory effect; which would explain the effect on aches, pains, and fever.

So What About Cytokine Storms?

Another factor in the 1918 flu pandemic death rate was the cytokine storm. A cytokine storm results in lungs so damaged that the flu victim may die. Cytokine production is normally a good thing. It is the result of the immune system's reacting to pathogenic or viral invasions. The white blood cells produce an assortment of cytokines to attack the invaders. Occasionally, there appears a viral strain that is so energetically invasive and virulent that it over stimulates the cytokine production. Then the cells of healthy tissues are attacked by the cytokines.

Supposedly, because of their already strong immune systems, this is more common among young and healthy types who are exposed to one of these unusually aggressive viral strains. The H1N1 or "bird flu" is among those few virulent strains. It is not yet known if this swine flu version is of the same ilk. Many have speculated that its origin is man made, perhaps as a bioweapon. After all, it is an unusual combination of swine, bird, and human flu strains.

A valid concern registered by some is the possibility of cytokine storms initiated by black elderberry's immune boosting capability. So far, there have been no reports of that activity. Besides, it appears that cytokine storms are usually a result of the type of flu virus strain rather than from the use of any herbal or natural cure.

Dr. Gabriel Cousens states that cytokine storms are actually a result of an imbalance between TH-1 and TH-2, which are cells that attack pathogenic invaders. The TH-1 cells go after pathogens in the cells while the TH-2 cells attack pathogens in the blood system. There is another natural preventative remedy for the potential cytokine storm.

Zinc helps correct this TH-1 and TH-2 imbalance by re-establishing a hormonal balance, greatly reducing the potential of a cytokine storm. There is good evidence that zinc salts also dramatically potentiate the action of the human cytokine interferon alpha, a type of protein that inhibits viral replication. Thus the immune system is less challenged, less likely to be overwhelmed, and free to handle immediate and present dangers.

Zinc is an essential component of the specific SOD or superoxide dismutase enzymes, oxygen radical scavengers. These scavengers can significantly reduce mortality rates following a lung infection, possibly even if from a cytokine storm.

Flu Prevention or Preparation

Dr. Gabriel Cousens and Dr. Russell Blaylock, among many others, recommend avoiding vaccines. There is ample evidence from many sources that at best, vaccines don't work. In fact, they tend to weaken the immune system, sometimes even bringing about worse conditions than the viral infection itself. Why else would "big pharma" successfully lobby, during the previous administration, for impunity from legal recourse due to complications caused by vaccinations?

What Dr. Cousens recommends is strengthening the immune system with vitamin C and D. Vitamin D storage is increased through skin exposure to outdoor sun and/or mercury free fish oils. Also, it's an excellent idea to ensure you are taking in plenty of zinc with adequate selenium (don't exceed 200 mcg) as most of the population suffers from a deficiency of this important mineral, which helps prevent cytokine storms.

Adding sub-lingual (for better absorption) B-12 is another valid protection against cytokine storms.
Getting enough sleep, as so many are sleep deprived, is high on the list of activities required for strong immune systems. Most importantly, having a good emotional attitude, which includes not stressing over pandemics and other issues, is essential to the immune system.

Oh yes, here's that recipe for making your own black elderberry extract tincture:

SIMPLE ELDERBERRY TINCTURE RECIPE

1) Clean Quart Jar add 1/4 pound dried elderberries (Must be Sambucus nigra)
2) Now fill to top with vodka. Put lid on tight.
3) Store in a dark cupboard and shake once every few days.
4) Label and date your jar. Let it sit for at least 30 days before you strain it. You can use it without straining it too and it will just continue to get stronger
. Dosage: 1 teaspoon four to five times daily during infections. Otherwise once daily.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/n...

http://www.prlog.org/10038472-elder...

http://femailhealthnews.blogspot.co...

Dr. Gabriel Cousens Protocol for Prevention and Treatment of Swine Flu

Here's a link to a real good video and quick recipe for elderberry syrup. This one looks very yummy but needs to be kept in the fridge and used quickly... I think I will try it and see how long it lasts. But, I will also still stick with my tinctures... They keep forever and don't need refrigeration.... I keep one dropper bottle in each vehicle and use one dropperful every time I go into and out of a store or other building during the flu season and haven't gotten sick in 8 years...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOYzWyFG ... re=related

Thanks for the posts Elderberry.

I think I found the mother lode of elderberry wisdom here!!! Go to the link and see all the info.

http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/2 ... -know.html

Everything you need to know about alcohol-free elderberry syrup for preventing colds and influenza
Elderberry is considered by many herbalists and satisfied users to be nature’s answer to Tamiflu, a drug that is commonly used to nip influenza in the bud. Elderberry works in a similar way by preventing the virus from adhering to human cells and multiplying. Traditionally, elderberry preparations are taken early enough to head off a massive viral invasion right from the start.

Sambucus nigra is the most researched medically potent species of elderberry, and it is so highly regarded in Europe that it has been called the “medicine chest of country people”. It grows wild in most of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia....... more at link...