Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (2024)

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By Vanessa Nixon Klein Updated: . First published: . This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

Every fall, I try to make sure that I make an extra large batch of Elderberry Elixir. Elderberry is a highly medicinal plant and is a go-to herb for many people throughout the cold and flu season. You can read more about the benefits of Elderberry here.

I’ve made lots of different remedies with Elderberries over the years, including tinctures, syrups and gummies, but the one I love most is also the easiest: Elderberry Elixir.

Let’s dive into a quick tutorial on how to make this Elderberry Elixir recipe.

Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (1)

Items needed to make an Elderberry Elixir

  • Elderberries (I prefer dried)
  • Raw Honey
  • alcohol (brandy or vodka)
  • clean glass jar with tight fitting lid
  • stirring spoon or chopstick

Directions

Step 1
Fill your jar 1/3 to 1/2 of the way with dried Elderberries.

Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (2)

Step 2
Next, fill your jar 1/3 of the way with honey.

Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (3)

Step 3
Then, fill the rest of the way with alcohol. I didn’t have brandy on hand, which would have been my first choice, so I used vodka. Make sure to leave a bit of head space.

Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (4)

Step 4

Use your chopstick or stirrer to release any air bubbles. Add more alcohol to top off if needed.

Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (5)

Step 5

Place the lid on tightly and label with name and date. Keep in a dark, cool place. Make sure to give your mixture a shake every now and then and your Elderberry elixir will be ready to strain in about 4 weeks!

Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (6)

When you strain the herbs out, the resulting liquid is your Elderberry Elixir.

The strained herbs can go in the compost.

As an option, you can add other herbs to this elixir along with the elderberries, if you like. I like adding herbs with high Vitamin C content such as rosehips or Lycii berries, as well as warming herbs like cinnamon, ginger, or cloves. The options are endless!

I take one teaspoon of Elderberry Elixir every day through the cold and flu season to prevent illness. If I do end up coming down with something, I increase to one teaspoon 3 or 4 times a day. I find that in doing so, I get sick much less frequently and if I do catch something, I recover much more quickly.

What is your favorite Elderberry recipe?

Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (7)

About Vanessa Nixon Klein

~ Vanessa Nixon Klein~

Traditional Naturopath, Herbalist, Homeopath, Aromatherapist and Nutrition Expert

Assisting people who are ready to build a natural lifestyle and take responsibility for their own health to achieve and maintain wellness through lifestyle enrichment and transformation as well as natural health and beauty techniques including herbalism, homeopathy, nutrition, aromatherapy and physical movement is Vanessa’s specialty.

Connect with Vanessa:
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Check out Vanessa's author page here!

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About The Author

Jennifer, author of Hybrid Rasta Mama, is a former government recruiter turned work-at-home mama to a daughter brought earthside in early 2009. She is passionate about and writes about holistic health and wellness, natural/green living, toxic mold awareness, and the benefits of coconut oil. She frequently shares allergy friendly recipes on her site as well as DIY herbal remedies, DIY natural body care, and natural cleaning recipes.

Jennifer graduated with honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Ethnic Studies. In January 2019 she became a certified mold and moisture intrusion inspector. She has completed coursework in the naturopathic series offered by the Avicenna Institute and accredited through the Board of Natural Medicine Certification Council.

Jennifer is a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors as well as the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness.

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Tutorial: Elderberry Elixir Recipe | Hybrid Rasta Mama (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with elderberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Diuretics (water pills). Diuretics help the body get rid of excess fluid and increase the amount of urine your body makes. ...
  • Diabetes medications. Elderberry may lower blood sugar levels. ...
  • Chemotherapy. ...
  • Laxatives. ...
  • Theophylline (TheoDur). ...
  • Drugs that suppress the immune system.

Does elderberry Elixir work? ›

May improve cold and flu symptoms

One 2004 study of 60 people with influenza found that those who took 15 mL of elderberry syrup four times per day showed symptom improvement in 2 to 4 days, while the control group took 7 to 8 days to improve ( 10 ).

How much homemade elderberry syrup should I take daily? ›

If you are interested in adding elderberry to your diet for its immune system boosting properties, a teaspoon of home-made elderberry syrup per day is a conservative recommended daily serving.

How many milligrams of elderberry should I take for a cold? ›

For example, a recommended serving size of elderberry syrup is 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) per day containing 3.8 grams of elderberry. For lozenges, one manufacturer recommends taking 1 lozenge (4 grams) containing 12 milligrams as needed up to four times per day.

Is elderberry bad for blood pressure? ›

Elderberries may be beneficial for the heart, as they have been associated with positive effects on blood pressure; the anthocyanin content increases the release of nitric oxide—which helps widen the blood vessels and improves blood flow, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.

Is elderberry safe for kidneys? ›

Cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers and liver and kidney function are not altered in postmenopausal women after ingesting an elderberry extract rich in anthocyanins for 12 weeks.

Does elderberry Elixir need to be refrigerated? ›

Our commercial kitchen is regularly inspected by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA). It is illegal to produce elderberry syrup in a home setting, as it is considered a “high risk” food product by the USDA, due to its need for refrigeration.

What form of elderberry is most effective? ›

When it comes to maintaining a strong immune system, black elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are the preferred choice.

Is elderberry safe for the liver? ›

Cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers and liver and kidney function are not altered in postmenopausal women after ingesting an elderberry extract rich in anthocyanins for 12 weeks.

What is the best time of day to take elderberry syrup? ›

Although there is no specific time of day to take elderberry, you'll maximize its benefits by using it consistently on a regular basis. You can choose whether to use it morning, afternoon or evening. It may be best to use elderberry for short periods of time to support healthy immune function, and then take a break.

How long to cook elderberries to remove cyanide? ›

To neutralize toxins, specifically cyanide-inducing glycosides, heat treatment is a must. Boiling elderberries for at least 30 minutes is the go-to method. This ensures the destruction of harmful compounds. Steaming or baking can also do the trick, as long as the berries reach a high enough temperature.

What happens if you take too much elderberry syrup? ›

Are There Elderberry Side Effects? There is a downside to consuming too much elderberry, and that is an upset stomach. Just like with any high fiber fruit, eating too much can cause stomach pain, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Does elderberry help with mucus? ›

The immune boosting and anti-inflammatory properties of this superfood make it a great natural remedy for allergy symptoms. The herbs known to remove excess mucus from the body called anti-catarrhals make this potent berry an effective medicine in clearing up runny noses, congestion, sneezing and itchy watery eyes.

Should I take elderberry in the morning or at night? ›

Elderberry can generally be consumed at any time of day—in the morning, at night, or in between. Since it's a food itself, you could take Elderberry on an empty stomach if it seems to work for you. It can also be taken with food.

Can elderberry cured my cold? ›

“Although it is often touted to reduce flu symptoms and upper respiratory infections, research is mixed. Some studies have shown it to be effective, but a recent trial found no impact on severity or duration of flu. What's more, there is no evidence that elderberry prevents cold or flu infections.

Can you take elderberry with anything? ›

If desired, you may mix elderberry liquid with water, fruit juice, yogurt, or a smoothie. Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with elderberry does not improve, or if you have a fever for more than 3 days or cold symptoms for more than 7 days.

Can you take elderberry and vitamins together? ›

Although elderberry has a history of being used for a wide variety of health reasons, when the goal is to supplement your diet to help support your immune system with Vitamin C and Zinc, the combination of elderberry with Vitamin C and Zinc provides the antioxidant and immune system support that is more helpful than ...

When not to use elderberry? ›

"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Elderberry might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

Are there negative side effects of elderberry? ›

The common side effects of taking raw elderberry plant products, such as fruit, flower, leaves, bark, or root include: Stomach problems. Nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea and constipation.

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