Making elderberry tincture & echinacea tincture

[@jenniferberghan5768]

It’s best to use dried herbs in making tinctures as the water content reduces the alcohol in the tincture, so the shelf life is halved. Jennie from Australia

[@documentingsimpleliving]

You can also use a high proof alcohol like everclear to offset the water content of fresh plant material!

[@cherylfiedler5761]

You gave very clear and precise explanations for both syrups and tinctures. Thank you ... looking forward to more

[@wendyrowlands3929]

Can you use whiskey

[@documentingsimpleliving]

You can use any 80 proof alcohol. I like vodka because it has the most neutral flavour.

[@kristinahughes2330]

I ended up making my elderberry tincture with apple cider vinegar because of my grandchildren. I used dried elderberries. I have a couple more weeks before im ready to extract the berries. Can I add cinnamon sticks, cloves or honey to taste??

[@documentingsimpleliving]

You could add the tincture dosage to a cup of tea or glass of water to dilute the taste of the vinegar - but if you want to add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and honey, I'd recommend making elderberry syrup instead of a tincture. Add the dried elderberries to a saucepan alongside the cinnamon and cloves (you can also add dried rosehips if you have some). Cover everything with double the amount of water you want to end up with and simmer until 1/2 the water has evaporated. Allow it to cool a bit and then strain it off and add honey to help preserve the syrup and to sweeten it. I hope this helps x

[@ashleycopeland3163]

Can you make them together instead of separately?

[@documentingsimpleliving]

You can do anything you want, but from what I’ve read the reason that it's not commonly done like that is to be able to control how much of each tincture you will have in your final blend. I think people usually make two (or three or twenty) separate tinctures, and then blend the tinctures together after they’re strained to make a brew that is supportive of their immune system or whatever they are trying to address. By making these separately you have the option to blend 3 parts elderberry with 1 part echinacea for example. But again it’s up to you

[@OakTree-LandScapeOnFacBook]

Can you use vinegar?

[@documentingsimpleliving]

Yeah, you can swap alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar - it'll be a less potent tincture because vinegar isn't as good at extracting the beneficial compounds as alcohol and it won't store as long (I like to use vinegar-based extracts within 6 months-ish). Good luck!!

[@OakTree-LandScapeOnFacBook]

@@documentingsimpleliving thanks for the tip, will be trying this out soon! 👍

[@OakTree-LandScapeOnFacBook]

@@documentingsimpleliving amazing video and appreciate your sharing the advise!