Benefits of Elderberries and Elderflowers

[@carolhamilton5164]

I use a dropper of elderberry tincture every night rarely ever get a cold. I raise my own too. 75 and never had the dreaded virus and don't do flu or pneumonia shots etc. However I also use raw garlic every day, turmeric, pepper and lots of other herbs and spices in my food.

[@Pimp-Master]

What a good report! So glad that I subbed to you. When I lived with my dad we both we both were stone broke one year, so I couldn't pay for an eye doctor or the insurance. However, when my eye developed a 3 months long infection, I consulted an Amish medical book that recommended elder. Within a week of using the purple eye wash--from an Elderberry tea bag--my eye was perfect again. That was a pretty dramatic and cheap demonstration of Elderberry's power seems to me.

[@marysidle5132]

I make elderberry syrup and have a spoonful every day. I truly believe that is why I am not prone to catching whatever 'bug' is out there.

[@crystaljankhot7350]

:). I make fermented elderflower lemonade. Romanians call it sokata. It keeps in the fridge forever too. Although at some point, it might turn more like champaign :P. great for hot summer days.

[@hmoser6416]

God is so great. He provides for our every need. So many healing plants. Thank you for sharing

[@thomasmeadows256]

Planet elderberry last year. It's starting to Bloom as we speak. And I found some on the back of the. The four acres we bought. At 61 years old. It's a late start for me. But I've been enjoying every minute of it. Making stuff from nature. Natural. Medicines

[@jojow8416]

Oh Once Again, you present information that I had not seen and that will provide an abundance of help to me. I did not know that the berries benefited the brain, or bone health, two things that I am always looking for healing remedies. It is so amazing that yesterday I found the elderberry tincture that you shared. My jar was at the back of a basement self and not yet strained. It has been infusing for 8 months so should be good and potent. Also, knowing that the flowers have so many benefits will help me save all the time I spend manually sliding my hands down the branches to remove the masses of aphids. Neem oil did not kill them all so I was forced to share my thoughts with the little beasts as I send them to aphid hell. Hell is now full of aphids, no more room for souls, so everyone must come to our savior The Lord Jesus Christ. THANK YOU & GOD BLESS

[@laurastrobel718]

I just ate 2 Elderberry gummies this morning 😊 I started this 3 years ago and I didn't get COVID in April 2021 like the rest of my family. I also drink a tea with it almost every day. I'd love to grow elderberry myself, thanks for all of the great tips. 🌞💓🌿

[@JulieDobbins.76]

Elderberry jam is my FAVORITE jam in the world! And yes, jam, not jelly. I strain out the seeds but smash the pulp through the sieve and don't strain that out. I want the fruit in there.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I have always preferred jam to jelly!

[@dalegaa4094]

I may try making jam instead of jelly this year. I also prefer jams. Mostly I make a spiced elderberry syrup with my berries.

[@JulieDobbins.76]

Jelly just seems wasteful to me. Why take out all of that extra nutrition and fiber?

[@jenniferhunt6739]

I got a hold of elderberries last year and made syrup. I have taken it this winter and feeling good. Had a stuffy nose for 24hrs and gone. Mind you I take fire cider too. I have made elderberry infused honey too. So yummy. Just bought some cuttings and looking forward to growing my own. Thanks for all your info. Lots of love from BC Canada❤

[@Minnehaha64]

Last year, I dehydrated 3 elderflowers, and infused them into local raw honey. When I got an allergy/cold this early spring, I put that honey in my tea as well as taking elderberry syrup! Double whammy!

[@mitzi7365]

Oh! Good idea! As I have just plucked a double handful of flowers for tea! I’m going to infuse some in honey now. 👍

[@joespaw3812]

Hi, May I ask how you infused them into honey. Thank you

[@Minnehaha64]

@@joespaw3812 I dehydrated them first so there wouldn't be any possibility of mold growth. Then I pulled all the individual flowers off, and stirred them into some local raw honey. The amount is up to you, but since I didn't have many blossoms, I filled a 4 oz jelly jar with honey and blossoms. I let that sit for probably 8 or 9 months before I strained out the blossoms and used it. It was probably ready at 2 months, but longer infusion is no problem.

[@joespaw3812]

@sherihicks1427 Thank you , we have several 12 ft tall elderberries, and they are loaded with bloom. We can't net everything and the birds get so many. We can take off the top flowers and net the lower ones

[@judyd.5026]

Two years ago I got covid and as soon as I found out I got out my dried elderberries and made a tea that I drank throughout the day and I do believe it helped me get over it better.

[@ccwriter2544]

I made a big batch of your syrup recipe this year, minus the honey, and dehydrated it. Now, I add a bit to my morning tea a couple times a week. It was an experiment to try to conserve jar space and I am very happy with the results!

[@WildAcreWood]

I’ve been wanting to get some elderberry growing! I’ll have to look into how they do in Wisconsin!😊

[@TeeFlory]

Thank you Heidi, Love and prayers always! 🫐❤

[@hetty2974]

Thanks Heidi, I do gather and make elderflower cordial, I think this year i will gather some flowers to dry also,,I really love the delicate little flowers such little things but big miracle s,,I go and pick them near to a beach, a beautiful spot to go in a morning, there is a table and bench es,lovely grass ,view of a castle one way view of t h e beautiful sea the other,it a quiet beach ,further up the path are chalets...its just 5 minutes in the car and thats m y favourite spot for some elder,,I do have permission,,.so its lovely. I don't over pick plenty left,xxthankyou, love and blessings 🙏

[@sweaterdoll]

Thanks for showing off both these natural beauties! An early European study found a protein in elderberries that prevented viruses from docking to receptors on human cells. Later studies focused on bacterial infections and showed incredible benefits. Finally the flowers were also studied. About time! Elderblow fritters used to be very common in the old days. The only time I've been sick since 2017 was when I had a back injury in early 2022 and got out of the habit of taking my elderberry syrup for two months and got strep-throat from a teacher where I substitute. Started taking it again and haven't been sick since.

[@derekclawson4236]

Elderberry is the real deal. Works great for medicinalapplications. We use the flowers for tinctures, berries for syrup, and berries for baked goods. Easy to grow and also usually easy to find in the wild in a lot of areas.

[@cindyloguirato8435]

Heidi have you ever thought putting all this crucial information into a book. I’d definitely buy it!!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

That is the most asked question I get and I gave my answer in this video here that I did nearly a year ago before my second grandchild was born and now I have a third on the way: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn69e6GXp6l6gpo

[@RainCountryHomestead]

And here is where I explain where to find at least some of my written recipes for free: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6PWmIeYosSpq5I

[@valerieescabi6104]

Hi Heidi, God is good all the time💖🙏🏻💖

[@blessedbloominghomestead9134]

I used elderberries for the first time last year. A neighbor not only gave them to me, she also gave me a tree. I used them for juice, jelly, a tincture and small jars with dehydrated berries, ginger, cloves, a piece of cinnamon stick and star anise. I can use them later as I need them by rehydrating in honey or water as a tea. I didn’t know about the flowers so that was interesting. On a side note, I dehydrated the yogurt and it is really tasty as a fruit leather type snack, and I used it in fruit smoothies last night. Everyone loved it. I still have 1 tray, and I will powder and rehydrate today to see how much like the original it tastes, but if it doesn’t work- the first 2 options make it worth my time to do. Thanks Heidi, Many Blessings!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I never did end up putting that yogurt in the dehydrator as I got busy with other things and spaced it out. I hope to remember to do that today or tomorrow

[@4TheWayTruthLife]

💮 Another thing my grandma taught me was how to make elderberry syrup. Thanks for another great video! 😍

[@philandbevanthony264]

We have about 8 bushes along a fence row that we planted several years ago...a gift from a farm friend. They give us an abundant supply every year. This last harvest I made 7 quarts of just the juice, for whatever I want to make of it. We cut them back to near ground level (see Doug and Stacy) and this keeps them reachable come picking time...and don't forget Elderberry jelly!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Every year I cut them back farther (I saw Doug and Stacy's video years ago) but have yet to cut them back quite that far. No matter how far back I cut them, they still get bigger every year!

[@tennesseenana4838]

I've been getting my Elderberry products from River Hills Harvest. Stacy and Doug highly recommended them and have done videos with them. They're all organic and they list Elderberries as 'Nature's Medicine Chest'. My 3 Elderberry bare roots are still small, so it'll be a while before I can harvest my own.

[@merryanneadair4451]

Many years ago, an older lady taught me how to make elderflower salve. It has wonderful healing properties for both people & animals. I try to make it nearly every year. Thank you for all your valuable information. God bless!

[@carldaniels4827]

Good morning Heidi, You are a plethora of information. A reverse thought is this; I watch your video's - I can't wait for the book to come out!!! Thank you Heidi and Patrick!!!!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Sorry but I do not have a book coming out and likely never will and I explained why in this video I did nearly a year ago and since then even more has been added to my plate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn69e6GXp6l6gpo

[@teresahoye6477]

I have Elderberries bushes that I make jelly, jam, and syrup. I haven't made a tenures yet. I knew the flowers were good to, but I haven't use the flowers yet. Thank you for this video Heidi.

[@LavenderandLinen]

I was just able to source some elderberry clippings last Sunday so I could propagate I can’t wait to get started!

[@dalegaa4094]

Elder flowers for allergies. I'm going to have to try that. Very helpful video.

[@haou132]

I love the flowers ( tea, limonade), and berries ( syrup) Blessings !!!

[@beingsaveddaily6303]

Godspeed from KY! Older vid playing catch up!. We were given a jar of elderberry syrup last winter. My family had never used before this. And it worked wonderfully! So now I have planted my own bush. And collect my own from wild. God is Great! All his creation was good.

[@elainepetras236]

Love your Valentine's flower bouquet 💐

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Thanks but that has nothing to do with Valentine's. This video was shot about a month ago :)

[@SilverLining650]

Thanks Heidi! I’ve learned so much from you and appreciate your ministry.

[@victoriac1969]

Thanks Heidi, I am looking at planting an elderberry this year. Will definitely go back & look at your 'recipes'. I so appreciate your videos & that you are sharing your experiences with us!

[@lindakline3618]

wanting to learn and do more with that incredible berry!

[@maxibake9323]

They're so good for you, & both make excellent Homemade Country Wine, & Jams & Jellies of course. 👍😋 TFS RC, take care & keep really busy everyone. 🙂♥️🐶

[@lynettetucker544]

Health benefits of elderberry and elderberry flowers very good information on the two .

[@kmiller6002]

Mrs Heidi My bestie is gifting me elderberry starts this year and I can't wait to get them and start using, all and all I'm fairly healthy despite some nerve issues but I feel staying on top of my families health is Very important. Thank You for sharing this Valuable information 🙂🙏 Kendra

[@willowoforest]

Elderflower honey is are our go to for sore throats here .. I make enough to last all winter and we take the syrup as a vitamin/prevention every day .. Elderflower honey on toast for breakfast 😋 delicious 😁

[@guythomas2994]

Elderberry jelly is absolutely delicious. I have eaten it since I was a child.

[@truthoflifeforall2257]

elder blossom and chamomile tea perfect blend of bitter sweet for cold flu CV. kiddos love it and ask for it when sic. Goldenseal root a must on hand at all times it will kick some germs butts

[@WellWomanMinistry]

What a wonderful video and great woman! So happy to have found your channel and excited to explore ❣️

[@JackyHeijmans]

My favorite! It really helps with flu and colds, it even helped me when I had covid. The one thing you didn't mention, toxic are the unripe, green berries. Those contain cyanide, so don't use those. I don't think it can hurt if there are a few in there, when you make a syrup, cause the boiling is to take out the cyanide, but wait for the berries to go black as much as possible. If I make a syrup myself, I add thyme and cloves in it, what really makes it even better. When I make tea, I add honey when it cooled a bit. I often buy organic elderberrie syrup, cause the birds eat the few berries I get on my tiny bush most of the time, and add thyme and a clove in the tea when I make it. I personally love the taste! It can also help if you feel a bit tired/down, to give you a boost. If you drink too much of it, it can cause diarrhea, it is said not to use more then one or two table spoons a day. Much love, have a beautiful weekend! 🤗

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I talked more in depth about the "toxicity" of elderberries, stems and more in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJC3nXR5YrSirrc

[@employme2]

I know elderberry grows wild in our pacific n.w. area; Ill have to search for them come late Summer & early fall to pick. My husband and myself have been using the Elderberry gummies for 6 mo now, We are just starting to see the benefits from them. Im 68 & my husband is,70. We never had the flu this year, & it has helped with our blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, In other words, our blood pressure numbers are lower & more stable and our A1C is much lower as well. Keep up the good work Heidi, God has served you & your husband well.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, red elderberry grows wild all around the pacific northwest and the berries ripen MUCH sooner than the black ones. In fact they are usually all done by the time the black ones are flowering

[@gtiernan1]

I love elderberries. Thanks for sharing some new ideas for baked goods, etc. I have 6 bushes which this year produced a LOT of berries. I am so grateful. I've still got a lot left over after making syrup & tinctures, so I'll try some baked goods. I also plan to prune my bushes soon and propagate a bunch more. I just learned an easy propagating method and I'll try it out and let you know how it works. Other methods I've tried in the last couple of years have failed, so... we'll see how this one goes.

[@marylamphere2112]

Can't wait for the video on brain health. My mother had a stroke in Jan 2020 and has been doing really well until about Thanksgiving. She recently asked me to take over her meds and Drs and such because she can't keep it all straight which is really hard on her so I'm trying everything I can think of to keep her from getting any worse. To be honest I'm hoping it's just the winter weather and a lack of sunlight/fresh air and she'll perk back up later this spring. But parkinson's runs in the family so definitely going to be adding some good stuff to her foods.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

That video is publishing tomorrow morning :)

[@JB-pd4ni]

The English fry the elder flowers. Dip the cluster in a light batter, then holding onto the stem, set the cluster into an inch of hot oil, take a shears and clip the thick stem off. They cook very quickly.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

That sounds tasty!

[@AC-qi9wo]

I do tinctures, and the syrups, but mine never last more then the winter month's, as soon as anyone, starts a cough I make them take a shot of the syrup, hubby likes the tinctures he took a shot yesterday and slept for 2 hours, and when he woke up felt better, my cat chases birds, and squirrels, out of our yard so I don't have much loss on the berries, this year I will dehydrate the flowers, since I have berries from last year batch I had over 30 branches of flowers last year on one bush, the other had 17.

[@MichaelR58]

Good informational video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@donnawilkinson5536]

I’m so excited to find your play list. I have five elderberry starts in a bucket of soil, with rooting hormone now, to plant in the spring. I’m going to learn all I can while waiting for them to grow, and produce. Thank you for all of your efforts, and knowledge.

[@marygrott8095]

My husband and I started taking elderberry syrup daily two years ago during the fall and winter months. Last winter we werent sick at all. And if we do get sick, we take it a few times a day, as opposed to once daily preventatively

[@clementinaepelle7048]

Thanks so much, Heidi.

[@juliekorte5896]

Thanks Heidi! Love this and love elderberries and now I know how to beat the birds to them by picking some of the flowers. God bless!!

[@roseb.7104]

Thank You Heidi. Great Information!

[@PrayerOpensDoor]

I’m taking Dr. Jones school of botanical medicine program and his recipes also use the leaves. Great video Heidi , blessings. ❤️✝️🌟🇨🇦🙏🏼

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, I came across a bit on the leaves here and there but decided to not focus on that with so much controversy on them

[@Nancy-zk9dj]

Another great video! I was just watching your video--Medicinal Herb Collaboration--6 years ago. You look younger now! I always think your face has such a healthy glow, but look at you! A testimony to all you do ❤️ I'm going to pay better attention 😍

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I am sure a good part of that is having better lighting, I did not have good lighting in my early videos

[@Nancy-zk9dj]

@@RainCountryHomestead You know, I thought you'd say it was the lighting! Maybe a teensy bit lighting, but you (and your man!) really do look....healthy! 👍

[@nora-_-]

I was wondering about the red elderberry

[@chickgirl1776]

Great video! I love all your videos.

[@chrismaryb.7409]

Thanks Heidi 😊

[@karenw9996]

Glad to learn about the brain health benefits. My dad had Parkinson's, and I've noticed a tremor in my right hand...also noticed it's exacerbated by physical activity (shoveling snow) so thinking it might also be that I need a chiropractic adjustment (he's in another town & the road between is usually bad in winter, so I go months without an adjustment). But I just happen to have some elderberry syrup in the fridge, and an elderberry bush in the backyard (second one never grew) so I'll try it, regardless of getting adjusted or not.

[@zv8365]

I have a plant or two of this. I don't know where it came from. One I noticed it growing on my property. I was too lazy to weed it out. It kept growing and had gotten bigger. I didn't know what it was for the longest time. Didn't realize it was so beneficial to one's health.

[@WendyK656]

Heidi, I use the elderflowers in my husband's pancake with syrup elder syrup on them too. If you can use the flowers right off the tree and dip them in your pancake mix. YUMMY! I have used it as a tincture, cough syrup! It sure does work well for me if I get sick. I sure would like to get some cutting from the elder bushes, so I can start growing them too. Thank you, Heidi, you always have GREAT information on all these natural ways to do things. I just love your videos and it is great that you keep posting wonderful information. God sure gives us wonderful things that are good for us; and having someone like you bringing this out to us. Thank you, Heidi!!❤

[@VsNorthwoodsHomestead]

I wish I could get clippings to propagate some elderberry but I don't know anyone that has them! Sooo, I have resorted to attempting to grow them from seed. They won't be planted until late fall because they need to be warm stratified for 60 days and then cold stratified for 150 days! Apparently, if this isn't done, they will take 2-5 years to germinate!

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Heidi! I have a love and not so much relationship with the neighbor's elderberry. It's close to the fence and getting massive! The fence is starting to bow. I love the aroma of the flowers! I didn't harvest the berries last year though. I should have because I may have had the illness. I'm still having a little trouble breathing. Blessings always!💜

[@RainCountryHomestead]

The flowers do smell wonderful!

[@bodayshus1437]

I have wild trees nearby but the birds get most of them! I get jam from a nearby Amish market

[@natalieh8637]

Very timely! Thanks so much!

[@TARAMARCELLE-gm5nr]

Grt job blessings 😊🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[@lauriemartin2193]

Hello I'm Laurie I'm 64 went veggie at 18 then mostly vegan and mostly raw every since....started with herbs at 11 at 15 my sister gave me a back to edan she was'nt intersted in its very well worn but I still have....I notice we have some of the same books. Like you I'm not certified etc....long story....I have been enjoyed your videos when I get a rare chance to, and now just got internet (starlink) so planing to more....wanted to share on a couple of the herbs. One stinginv nettles that most people who think its toxic is because it's a member of the night shades, also it is used much for its high iron, I don't absorbed iron well....I think in one of the mane herb in the Swedish herbs recipe. Also I also did some searhing on recipe product for teeth that was suposed to work wonders basted on a berry and the product was full of harmfull unhealthy stuff and very exspensive....I fineley found that the berry was elderberry, the product said to put one drop behind your teeth once a day/night.... Well that's it ta ta for now, Hope to get more chances to chat? Yah is Good Amen Shalom

[@mariem5990]

I Love you videos ❤ Thank you

[@beautifullife7544]

Thank you ❤

[@carolynmoody9460]

Blessings ❤️

[@tinak637]

Thank you, And God bless🙏🏻

[@solanisomeni]

I mainly make the Elderberry syrup. Not quite as many ingredients as you have in yours but, that is mostly due to that several of them are very hard to find over here in Sweden and expensive buying through Amazon. Even more expensive with shipping and custom fees buying from the companies that sell those ingredients in the US. What I do when I have cooked the berries (the black ones) along with my spices, cinnamon, star anise and ginger, I "mush" them, since I find that I get a much more potent syrup since the berries I use have been dried and don't release as much of either juice or nutrients without mushing them, if that makes sense?? Like you, I let it cool to almost room temperature before adding the honey but, I do not discard the seed and berry skin. I place those into ice cube trays and freeze them. They still have A LOT of beneficial healing properties which I will use a cube and make a cup of tea out of. Tastes great with added honey. 😉 I have been searching high and low for black elderberry seeds or clippings to plant, so I can have my own bushes but, so far, I've only been able to find the red berries. Do you know if it is possible to somehow soak the dried berries I have and then plant those, since they are full of seeds? Think 🤔 I'll actually try that this year, it's time for me to make a new batch of syrup regardless. Will not use the cooked berries but soak a few of the dried berries straight from the bag I bought them in and then pot them just to see what happens.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

My expended berries get tossed to the chickens, good for them as well :)

[@solanisomeni]

@@RainCountryHomestead I can see the chickens benefiting from the health properties of the berries as well. Might do similar when I finally get my ducks. Was opting for chickens first but, due to the cold during winters over here, I'm not sure but, I think that big fat ducks would be better suited, since I don't have a real ability to keep the temps needed for chickens. (my big Belgian rabbits do fine with their thick winter coats in the trailer I have their large cages in) Plus, ducks lay eggs too and are very tasty as well as there is more meat on those that would be harvested for food. Until then, I'll be selfish and make my tea, even though I do share the bags of "ice cubes" with my kids. 😁

[@art4god870]

Heidi, have you ever tried putting netting, like wedding veil material, over your plants when the berries are green so the birds cannot get them? I had a friend who did this on her raspberries, and then she would clip the veil at the bottom with clothes pins to keep the wind from blowing it off.

[@cabinfevernanna5897]

I do this with the little wedding treat bags with the drawstrings for my Aronia and Elderberry plants.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Trying to put netting over my elderberries would be pretty pointless, especially since they get about 10 feet tall. I am just not going to hassle with that

[@cabinfevernanna5897]

@RainCountryHomestead my plants are very little... haha or I wouldn't do it either. I was just excited I was getting some fruit. The squirrels ravage everything else, so I wanted to protect my few berries. How long did it take for your bushes to get that tall?

[@teresahoye6477]

When I planted my Elderberries, it took 2 years for them to grow 10 ft high. I have been trimming mine to keep them around 8 ft.

[@cabinfevernanna5897]

@teresahoye6477 hmmmm... I've had mine for 3 yrs ish and only 1 is MAYBE 6 ft. The other seems to be growing in diameter more than vertical. Maybe I've got it planted in too much shade

[@jeaniepartridge6701]

I spotted what I believe is wild elderberries on our new property but it was impossible to get to and the new fence was a priority I hope to access this spring.

[@JulieDobbins.76]

One thing to research more is the relationship of elderberry to cytokines. There is a potential for issues IF someone is seriously ill and suddenly begins taking large amounts of elderberry. If the person has been taking elderberry regularly it doesn't seem to cause the same response. We tend to take preventative doses of elderberry syrup several days per week and before and after being out and about when there are colds and flu circulating through the community. We begin taking a higher dose at the first sign of illness or if we know we were exposed.

[@jackiemecheri4418]

Thank you ❤️ I loved that expecially the flower's I will making use of them too now. I just make the tincture with vodka and the sirup but will try a few more...once again loved it and thank you xx

[@sharoncrow5529]

Do I understand correctly that you add alcohol to elderberry syrup to create a tincture? If so is it shelf stable? How do you dose it? Thank you for sharing your information

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Tincture and syrups are different. While you can add alcohol to a syrup, that would be pointless really. As noted in the video I have both a tincture and a syrup

[@guitarnotator]

Good video 👍. Thanks for the information especially for tea. Who is the theme tune by?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Most of the time you can find the song attribution in the description box below the video either added by me or by youtube

[@joycewedel9084]

I ordered some organic cuttings from a farm. Hope they turn out.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Once it is established, it grows like a weed. I cut them back farther every year but they still keep getting bigger. I should really just cut them down to the ground

[@NansGlobalKitchen]

Wow, Heidi I did not know that Elderberries had so much health benefits! Thankyou so much! Could I use this for like sinusitis? Like allergies a clogged up head and sinus? I have this for the past 2 weeks! Thankyou again God bless❤🙏🏻🙏🏻 Ps I bought a big bag of Elderberries for tea. I will try to make a syrup should I use the raw honey or the vodka!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

It may help with clogged sinuses and how you make it is up to you. You could even use a blend of vodka and honey

[@NansGlobalKitchen]

@@RainCountryHomestead Okay thankyou so much Heidi. I might try a bit of the honey and vodka together but I am a little worried about it raising my insulin levels! Thankyou again! ❤🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@RainCountryHomestead]

@@NansGlobalKitchen The honey sure makes it all taste better! :)

[@NansGlobalKitchen]

@@RainCountryHomestead For sure 😊 Thank you Heidi ❤🙏🏻

[@daniellemarceaux7937]

I saw this on simple ming he was making cough drops from the flower and some other ingredients that i do not remember

[@MrPaulstride]

much love

[@sharoncrow5529]

We consistently use elderberry syrup and very rarely get sick. Are tinctures safe? I've always heard that they must be heated. Love and watch all your videos. God is good

[@RainCountryHomestead]

All I can say is as noted in the video and that is I have been taking an elderberry tincture I made years ago off and on with no problems

[@victorybase5847]

Thank you for taking the time to share the encyclopedia you carry on your shoulders! I’m in my 50’s & it still trips me out that education is FREE on the internet! It’s especially gratifying to sit thru a free class on KZbin learning about all that interests me! God bless you for sharing your gift with others!

[@gourdsbyjm]

I’ve got elderberries growing. I’ve got flowers put up and I have berries. But I just haven’t figured out what to do with them. I did make elderberry jelly last year.

[@NansGlobalKitchen]

Wow this is awesome! Can you please share how do you make Elderberry jam and do you use fresh berries or dry?

[@gourdsbyjm]

@@NansGlobalKitchen i used fresh berries but I’m sure if you had some frozen they could be used. I cooked them until they released the juice. I did add some water to the pot but as little as possible. I then had to go through a straining process to get the juice separated from the seeds. After that I simply followed the gel package for juices to make jelly.

[@jenniferarndt5373]

It’s important to note that it is an IMMUNE MODULATOR vs an immune booster. Echinacea is an immune booster, which should not be used by people with autoimmune issues. As a modulator, it is safe for all conditions and can even shorten viruses, which I think you mentioned. It also helps loosen phlegm.

[@nora-_-]

So technically you can use red elderberry as you would black elderberry?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, techinically

[@CraftTeaLady]

I started my herbal medicines with elderberries and have really staved off illness with making/taking syrup. Some of those baked goods look AMAZING.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

They really do! I may try something special some day with the elderflowers since I get a lot of those :)

[@CraftTeaLady]

@@RainCountryHomestead do you just dry them?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

@@CraftTeaLady Yes, I dry the flowers

[@bettyeking44]

Where can i get shoots to grow my own elderberries?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Check with your local nursery

[@CraftTeaLady]

I saw a lady giving out shots on the Facebook market and I'm hoping they root. You need 2 varieties, from what the lady said, to grow. I haven't looked it up, but believed it.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Correct, two varieties which is what I have: Adam's and John's

[@Michaelebills]

What do you do about the super tiny white bugs on the Elderflowers when dehydrating in a dehydrator?

[@joycewedel9084]

I bet the flowers would make a nice shampoo & skin cream

[@rickcook5335]

There are so many varieties of the black elderberry. We want to plant some and want to be sure and get the best variety for the medicinal benefits. Is the American elderberry a good one or should we get one of the "branded" varieties like the "York" or "Wyldewood" varieties? Shelly want to use it mainly for syrup.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I do not think one needs to worry so much about which is most medicinal, I would say they all are great, it is about finding the ones that grow best for you and making sure you two different ones to use as pollinizers for each other

[@MamaKalash]

There are several plants where the flowers, the berries, and the leaves offer the same benefits (as with bilberries). They may have varying intensities, between different parts of the plant, but they offer the same types of benefits.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Correct. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, salmon berries and more. Some will have very different benefits from the fruit and others will be very similar.

[@ivebeenthere2115]

My berries in E. WA are very tiny. Second yr . in ground. Next spring can I give bush fish fertilizer?

[@Jewishandproud43]

*Warning one of the photos used at 2.46 seconds was of Poke berries/weed, these are very much toxic but look similar to Elderberry.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

May have ended up in there by mistake but even poke berries can have their benefits if used properly. We have been brain washed into being terrified of many beneficial plants

[@maryshank7825]

Where can I get elderberry bushes or seed to grow my own?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Check for plants at your local nursery

[@RoseWoodruff]

How to use for eyes?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Taken internally: tea, tincture, syrup, etc...

[@peggywoodruff8505]

Nice to see Rose Woodruff, from Peggy Woodruff, Michigan

[@RoseWoodruff]

@@RainCountryHomestead I was hoping for an eye wash. Thank you!!!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I would consider using the flowers for that, make a tea from them. Yarrow is an excellent herb for this too as is fennel seed. Make a tea, allow it to cool,. You an also add a tiny bit of salt to better match the body chemistry and this will make it feel better in the eyes but of course not too much or it will burn

[@RoseWoodruff]

@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you!!! 😀💝

[@leahness3588]

Planted 4 different varieties last year They bloomed and set fruit but not enough time to ripen. I was really battling the Japanese beetles Any suggestions for that? Now I know blooms can be used.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I am not the one to ask about the Japanese beetles since I have as yet not had issues with them but this last year not all my berries ripened either because we had such a long lasting cold through the spring but if this is a consistent issue, consider just using the flowers instead this coming year or at last harvest some of them and see how the rest do for setting berries. Leave the oldest flowers to get berries and harvest the youngest flowers

[@leahness3588]

@@RainCountryHomestead thank you very helpful video.I appreciate all the research .

[@olgacadremy5706]

Is possible good Plant...

[@gidget8717]

I have a question. When you are researching a condition and and you find the same herb recommended on different sites, I found they always recommend amounts in commercial supplements. Example : sage 1,000mg twice daily How does a person go about translating that into home use with homegrown sage? Does it matter? Do I just try adding a spoon of dried sage to my nightly cup of herbal tea and go from there? Honestly, over the years I've just bought supplements but these days so many things come from unknown countries with no regulations or quality control in the production of goods. I've gardened for decades and grown culinary herbs (which I am finding out some have medicinal benefits also), so I would rather grow my own these days if possible. 🤔

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I really do not pay much attention to their dosages. I just always recommend started small and working up from there, that way you can catch it right away if you are going to have any reactions to it and it is better to start small in case you do.

[@gidget8717]

@@RainCountryHomestead thanks so much for the guidance 💗

[@elainepetras236]

How do you get your berries off the stems?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I find it best to pull them off when fresh but I also do not worry about tiny little stems. I covered that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJC3nXR5YrSirrc

[@MelissaWillard-w3u]

I use hair pick, you can freeze them and use fork.