Homemade elderflower tincture is simple to make and can promote a healthy respiratory system and prevent colds and flus. It’s a great addition to your holistic medicine cabinet.
The elder tree offers a range of holistic remedies. In the early summer, the tree’s tiny white flowers can be harvested into elderflower tincture, elderflower syrup, and more. In the late summer or early fall, the burgundy berries can be boiled to create elderberry syrup (or elderberry gummies). If you’re a hobby herbalist like me, it’s a good tree to know about.
What Is Elderflower Tincture Good For?
Elderflower tincture is a good tincture to have on hand to support your and your loved ones’ immune systems. The tincture is known to help prevent seasonal colds and flus, as well as reduce symptoms of both. Elderflower tincture can also help reduce mucus and even inflammation.
We are lucky to have elder trees growing wildly along a pathway nearby our home. On a recent walk, I picked a few flowers to bring home and try my hand at making elderflower tincture. If you also want to forage your elderflowers, keep an eye out for the white flower heads in early June. I picked mine a bit late, at the end of June. Most flower heads had already dried, but I caught the last few just in time.
Watch The Video
5-6 elderflowers heads
Supplies
Vodka (40 proof or above)
Instructions
Take your elderflowers and remove the green stems and leaves. Make sure to completely remove the green stems and leaves – you only want the flowers in your tincture.
Pack a glass jar nearly to the top with the elderflowers.
Cover the flowers with your alcohol. You want the flowers to be completely covered.
Put the lid on your jar and give it a gentle shake. It’s best to use a plastic lid, rather than metal, to avoid corrosion. If you only have a metal lid, put a piece of parchment paper between the mixture and the lid.
Leave the jar in a cool, dark place for about 6 weeks.
Strain off the mixture and add it to a glass bottle. I like to use a small glass bottle with a pipette top. The kind of top makes using the tincture easier.
How Do You Use Elderflower Tincture?
Whenever we feel a cold coming on, my partner and I drink about a teaspoon dissolved in water. You can also put a few drops under your tongue. The alcohol will help with quick absorption when taken this way.
Expert Tips
When consuming the tincture, it’s best not to mix it into a hot drink because this can reduce its potency.
FAQ
I like to either dissolve 1 teaspoon into a cool drink or put a few drops under my tongue, once or twice a day.
Homemade tinctures should last for 2 years in a cool, dark place.
Try These Other Natural Remedies
How To Make Elderberry Tincture
How To Make Echinacea Tincture
Thyme Syrup For Coughs And Colds
4 Easy Medicinal Herbs To Grow Indoors
If you make this how-to and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. Find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!
Elderflower Tincture – Simple Homemade Recipe
Homemade elderflower tincture is simple to make and can promote a healthy respiratory system and prevent colds and flus. It’s a great addition to your holistic medicine cabinet.
Materials
- 5-6 elderflowers heads
- Vodka (40 proof or above)
Instructions
- Take your elderflowers and remove the green stems and leaves.
- Pack a glass jar nearly to the top with the elderflowers.
- Cover the flowers with your alcohol. You want the flowers to be completely covered.
- Put the lid on your jar and give it a gentle shake. It’s best to use a
plastic lid, rather than metal, to avoid corrosion. If you only have a
metal lid, put a piece of parchment paper between the mixture and the
lid. - Leave the jar in a cool, dark place for about 6 weeks.
- Strain off the mixture and add it to a glass bottle. I like to use a
small glass bottle with a pipette top. The kind of top makes using the
tincture easier.
Notes
I like to either dissolve 1 teaspoon into a cool drink or put a few drops under my tongue, once or twice a day.
I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. As always, do your own research and speak to your doctor or paediatricians.
Leave a Reply