Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Elderberries are the deep red and purple berries of the elder tree (Sambucus nigra) that come after the elderflowers fall back. Both elderflowers and elderberries are full of vitamin C and cleansing antioxidants and make great immune-supporting tinctures.
Foraging elderberries
The purple elderberries grow in heavy umbrella-shaped berry clusters. They are ready to forage from elder trees in early autumn – we usually see them start to appear in late August and forage them until October. Avoid foraging the green, unripe berries and wait until the berries and stems are dark purple before harvesting them. Leave behind any berries that are mushy or split open.
Also, make sure to find berries that are away from highways or high-traffic public paths. This will help to ensure that the berries haven’t been sprayed with poisonous herbicides or pesticides.
And finally remember to only take what you need. Many other critters also depend on the berries for nutrients.
Fresh or dried elderberries?
You can use fresh or dried berries to make this tincture (and other natural remedies that call for elderberries). If you’re using fresh berries, consider using a higher-proof alcohol to make the tincture (over 80-proof) to help off-set the water content in the fresh plant material. Water makes a tincture spoil more quickly but you can help prevent this by simply using a higher-proof alcohol.
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Are elderberries toxic?
While elderberries offer numerous health benefits, it’s important to know that consuming raw berries, seeds, stems, or leaves can be toxic due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides. These compounds can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, by properly preparing elderberry products (by heating them on a low heat or tincturing them) the toxic compounds are easily neutralised. You just want to avoid eating raw elderberries.
Elderberry tincture benefits
Immune-boosting benefits – Elderberries are extremely high in vitamin C, so consuming products made from elderberries can help support your immune system. They are rich in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids like quercetin and anthocyanins, which can also help support the immune system by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Cold and flu relief – Due to their immune support properties, some studies suggest that elderberries may help reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms.
Powerful antiviral properties – Elderberries have been studied for their antiviral properties, particularly against certain strains of influenza virus. It’s been shown that some medicinal compounds in elderberries may interfere with viruses’ ability to infect cells.
Rich in nutrients – Elderberries contain vitamins A, B, and C, as well as minerals like potassium, iron, and phosphorus, which can contribute to overall health and well-being.
Supports heart health – The anthocyanins in elderberries may help improve heart health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Ease inflammation – Elderberries have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
DIY elderberry tincture: step-by-step process
Tools
An airtight container with a tight-fitting lid – I use a glass mason jar with a piece of parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.
Small amber dropper bottles – I use these ones.
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
A small funnel
Supplies
Fresh or dried elderberries
80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you’re using fresh elderberries, consider using a high-proof alcohol, which will be more effective at preventing spoilage from the water content in the plant. If you want to avoid alcohol, you can simply swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin.
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Fully wash the fresh elderberries, and completely remove the berries from the stems.
Pat the berries dry.
Add the fresh or dried elderberries to a sanitised clean jar (or any glass jar you have). Unlike making other tinctures, do not mash or grind the berries when adding them to the glass jar. This is to prevent tiny elderberry seeds from remaining in your tincture after it’s strained off. The seeds can upset the digestive tract and by leaving the berries whole, there is less of a chance seeds will be in the tincture.
Pour vodka over the plant material in alcohol and make sure it’s completely covered.
Add the lid and give the jar a good shake to ensure all of the plant parts are covered by alcohol.
Leave the jar to sit at room temperature in a dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks. I like to leave my tinctures in a dark cabinet or the pantry.
Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture. If the berries are soft and coming apart, use a coffee filter to strain the liquid to ensure no seeds are left in the final tincture.
Use a funnel to add the tincture to your amber glass bottles.
Add the date and label the tincture to make sure you don’t forget what it is and store it alongside your other herbal tinctures in a cool, dark place.
That’s it – it’s very simple to make your own elderberry tincture. Send me a photo of yours!
Elderberry tincture dosage?
I like to take two droppers full during the winter months and reduce to one dropper full the rest of the year.
How long does elderberry tincture last?
Like other alcohol-based tinctures, elderberry tincture has a long shelf life. This tincture can last up to 5 years if stored in an amber glass bottle, away from direct sunlight in a dark and cool place.
How to make this without alcohol?
To make this tincture without alcohol simply swap the alcohol for food-grade glycerin or raw apple cider vinegar. A glycerin tincture or a vinegar extract will not have the same potency as an alcohol-based tincture and won’t last as long. I like to consume vinegar extracts within 6 months and glycerin tinctures within a year.
Is elderberry tincture better than syrup?
Elderberry tincture has a much longer shelf life than elderberry syrup because the alcohol helps preserve the nutrients of the elderberries.
The alcohol used to create the tincture is also more effective at drawing out the medicinal benefits from the berries. This means that elderberry tincture may be more effective at staving off colds and flus.
How to consume elderberry tincture
Directly under the tongue – A great way to consume the beneficial compounds in elderberries is to add the dosage under your tongue. Allow it to sit there for 20-30 seconds and then swallow.
Diluted in juice or water – Add the dosage to a cup of water or juice to dilute the flavour of the tincture.
Added to a spoonful of honey – Add the dosage to a spoon with a bit of honey (or maple syrup) for added sweetness.
Into smoothies – Add the dosage into your morning smoothie for added nutrition.
Into teas – Add the dosage to a cup of tea (or coffee) to dilute the flavour. Make sure not to pour boiling water over the tincture as this will reduce the potency slightly.
In other herbal remedies – You can add your tincture dose to another herbal remedy like elderberry syrup. I like to add my dose of elderberry tincture to a teaspoon of elderberry syrup in the winter for a double boost of nutrients.
Elderberry syrup recipe
Ingredients
1 cup dried elderberries (or 2 cups fresh elderberries)
4 cups water
1-2 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon dried ginger)
5 whole cloves
1 cup raw honey (or maple syrup if you plan to give it to a child under 1 year old)
In a saucepan, combine elderberries, water, cinnamon, grated ginger, and cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the liquid reduces by about half.
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Use a strainer or cheesecloth to strain the liquid into a bowl and press the berries to squeeze out all the juice.
Once the syrup has cooled down stir in the raw honey until it fully dissolves.
Use a funnel to pour the elderberry syrup into a glass jar or bottle and refrigerate. It should last for about 2-3 months in the fridge.
How much elderberry syrup to take?
You can take 1 tablespoon daily for immune support or every few hours if you’re feeling under the weather. Kids can take 1 teaspoon daily but remember that kids under one year old cannot have honey.
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy or medicinal herb such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
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How To Make Elderberry Tincture (Easy Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fully wash the fresh elderberries, and completely remove the berries from the stems.
- Pat the berries dry.
- Add the fresh or dried elderberries to a sanitised clean jar (or any glass jar you have). Unlike making other tinctures, do not mash or grind the berries when adding them to the glass jar. This is to prevent tiny elderberry seeds from remaining in your tincture after it’s strained off. The seeds can upset the digestive tract and by leaving the berries whole, there is less of a chance seeds will be in the tincture.
- If you're using fresh you need enough berries to fill 1/2 of your jar. If you're using dried, you need to fill the jar 1/3 of the way full.
- Submerge the plant material in alcohol and make sure it’s completely covered.
- Add the lid and give the jar a good shake to ensure all of the plant parts are covered by alcohol.
- Leave the jar to sit at room temperature in a dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks. I like to leave my tinctures in a dark cabinet or the pantry.
- Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.
- After 6-8 weeks, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture. If the berries are soft and coming apart, use a coffee filter to strain the liquid to ensure no seeds are left in the final tincture.
- Use a funnel to add the tincture to your amber glass bottles.
- Add the date and label the tincture to make sure you don’t forget what it is.
What is the dosage? Thanks.
I usually do a teaspoon.
Thanks for this helpful information!