You won't believe what I found!

[@joangibson859]

Elderberry (Sambucus sp.) is a shrub. A shrub is a woody perennial, smaller than a tree, usually with several stems. Bush is not a recognized taxonomic term. Sambucus is in the Caprifoliaceae family with honeysuckles and Vibrunums, etc. Just a note from your friendly plant taxonomist in Morgantown, WV.

[@Yaya-Siùsaidh]

I have an old elderberry in North Alabama that is literally a tree, not a shrub. The city sprayed herbicide on it (and others) 2 years ago and it has all but died. It was the largest elderberry I’ve ever seen.

[@kimwells8395]

@joangibson859 so you said a lot of big words for smart people. Well I am not one of those people, please dumb down what you said because I would like to know more about elderberries. I want to plant some around my property but I don't want to harm anyone or any animals.

[@anntierce7160]

@@Yaya-SiùsaidhSad bc it was most likely killed by a SOIL & WATER & PLANT contaminant poison, likely ROUND UP, the herbicide manufactured by MONSANTO. This product has been allowed to contaminate the greatest MAJORITY of our soil in the USA! It is a killer of “we the people” citizens. RFK, Jr. was attorney who successfully litigated to prosecute MONSANTO for their CRIMES against our people. Watch RFK, JR’s interview with Tucker Carlson to see/hear Kennedy’s commentary ré the class-action lawsuit.⚠️⚠️⛔️☠️☠️☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

[@TinaStefanko]

I made a bunch of tinctures with stuff from my garden last year. I made dandelion, calendula, echinacea, rosemary goldenrod. I also made a bunch of tinctures out of leaves from fig, goji, blackBerry, raspberry, blueberry & strawberry. This was my 1st time doing stuff like this. It was also the 2nd year I did a garden. I am 54. I did do really small gardens in my 30's but it was just like a couple tomato, cucumber, & zucchini plants and that's about it. I became disabled enough not to be able to work just before my 50th birthday so learning these things allows me to have hobbies that are flexible to my disability. I learned to can & dehydrate & freeze dry as well. It keeps me active and able to thrive. Thank you for sharing so much of your life.❤

[@trapped7534]

Wow, you went in with gusto. Lol I’ve been canning and doing things my entire life and I wouldn’t have thought to do all of the things that you did last year. Would love to know do you have a basic recipe and add whatever you want to it??

[@TinaStefanko]

@@trapped7534 as far as the tinctures I didn't do them all at once. I would do a couple every week or 2 & they sit for 8 weeks so other than collecting them and putting them in a half pint & pouring 80% vodka that's all. My husband helps me with everything so it's not to much and when I can't do things he does. He taught me how to can. He helps prep and runs the freeze drier. He belongs to freeze dryer groups on Facebook.

[@alexandriasorensen9064]

I was raised by my grandparents and my grandma was always super into gardening. I would go and learn about the practical/medicinal uses of the different plants she had and teach her about them and she'd teach me how to grow them. Last I visited her she was showing me all the new things she's growing and what they're good for! It's such a fun and rewarding hobby. ❤

[@TinaStefanko]

@@trapped7534 my husband helps me with everything. When I can't do things he does and when he can't do things I do. The tinctures were spread out over a period of time and the have to sit for 8 weeks so it's not everything at once. My husband taught me how to can. He belongs to Facebook freeze drying groups and mostly does that but I help with prep and cut my own herbs to freeze dry. I have fancy scissors to cut my herbs. I have a genetic connective tissue disorder that causes joint dislocation and hypermobility issues. My fingers are real bad so having special tools really help. Like I said these hobbies help me thrive & feel happy and useful.

[@tamielliott7952]

Oh my goodness Becky!!! The view out your back door is spectacular!!! You are blessed beyond words.

[@peanutbutter35]

The shrink wrap for the tincture bottles were supposed to be that high cause it goes over the top of the cap and the rubber stopper where there’s a gap!

[@flathillfarm]

Our family has a shared Google map with pins of all the elderberries in about a 10 mile radius. It’s easiest to spot them when they’re flowering, so we find them in the spring and go back in the fall to harvest. 😁❤️

[@laurieclarkson9180]

Thank you! I appreciate that information! Isn't there another shrub that looks a lot like an elderberry shrub that is not edible/poisonous? I feel like I heard that somewhere.

[@zoerice4227]

​@@laurieclarkson9180 I happen to have a foraging book near me when I saw this comment, and it doesn't mention any dangerous lookalike for elder. It's pretty distinct as a plant, you'd be hard pressed to mistake it for anything else. The white pith in the branches is a dead giveaway. But I'm in the UK, where you can't go five steps without seeing elder, and the book is specifically a UK foraging book, so maybe there's something in the states that is an elder lookalike, you'd have to do some googling on that one :) hope this helps!

[@greenrockgarden2851]

Not into tinctures, oils, or natural remedies but I’m watching, because I love watching you do your thing in the kitchen. ❤

[@carolynmills513]

What I wouldn't give for blackberries on my property. Have you harvested any? Cobbler, dumplings, and jam for the win.

[@hummingbirdhillhomestead]

Wonderful video Becky! I just propagated our elderberries a few weeks ago and they are doing wonderfully! I’m hoping to have plenty of plants to share. We keep elderberry syrup year round. I use Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, lemon zest, star anise, cloves and honey in mine and it’s a power house! I would love to see more plant propagation and herbalism videos. Isn’t it so cool that there is just a never ending list of interests in homesteading? We never get bored! ❤❤

[@The_tiny_garden_denmark]

Hi Becky I have been following your channel for about a year now, and enjoy your content. I come from Denmark, and here it's tradition to make elderberry lemonade (or sirup) in a steam juicer to extract the juice, and then bring it to a boil and add sugar to taste. We add a little apples to the elderberry in the steamer. We add a preserve to it, for ir to last a year, but I imagine it could be water bath canned as well. It's really tasty. Also, we make a syrup from the elderberry flowers, and that tastes amazing. You rinse the flowers, and then you pour a hot syrup over them adding citric acid and sliced lemons (app. 50 flowers, 20 grams of citric acid and 4 lemons). This goes in the fridge for 4 days, stirring it daily. And then its sifted. it keeps about 3-4 months in the fridge. You won't believe the lemonade and cocktails, you can make from that. I hope you will try out these danish traditionals. :)

[@dorthef5410]

The comment I was looking for 😃 Also from Denmark.

[@walterjoshuapannbacker1571]

Very common in Germany and Austria, too. I always sterilise the full bottles in a waterbath for ten minutes and then they will keep for a year or longer.

[@The_tiny_garden_denmark]

Thanks for the tip

[@MsFresh619]

There is a massive Elderberry tree behind my garden. This year I'm gonna harvest the berries and try these.

[@charmainemrtnz]

I learned a lot today and thank you. You are the first to tell me not to eat the berries. Nobody has said I could but nobody said I shouldn’t and why. Thank you Becky, so very much.

[@1Corinthians15-1]

It's bc of the molecule found in the seeds (apples have this same molecule as well) & like Becky said: it does not take too much to render that molecule inactive so as long as you heat it up, the molecule is in active & can be eaten by humans & even given to chickens. Birds (especially wild birds) can eat these raw as God gave them a special adaptation to be able to eat raw & not die. If we, as human beings, happen to eat just a few raw elderberries or apple seeds (there are other fruits that have this molecule as well) it will not hurt us at all (nor the chickens).

[@vjohnson2400]

Hey Becky your elderberry tree will also produce beautiful heads of elderflowers in May/June, depending on your zone. These elderflowers make a wonderful cordial, very easy to make and delicious to drink either diluted in water or sparkling water. For me it’s the taste of summer.

[@heidiquayle5054]

elderflowers are the best part! add it to sparkling water and it's gorgeous

[@MLBLrawbeliever]

Always love watching your videos. I am an Herbalist and you did a wonderful job providing an easy to follow video for those who want to try Elderberries medicinally. I have had several new clients in the last couple weeks adding Elderberies to their wellness program.

[@gabygarcia8367]

I was wondering why people with some autoinmune problem should avoid elderberry syrup...I always bought elderberry jam

[@susieyarbrough9845]

Thank you for that encouraging post to Becky. She does such a great job and is so dependable on her posting. I love to see when people build her up! 🩷

[@stefenyb1163]

@@gabygarcia8367 As someone with an over active immune system (MS) it doesn't need any extra help from the elderberries :P

[@Vanrachana0215]

Hello 😊❤

[@JustMe-oi9ms]

@@gabygarcia8367I can only speak for myself. I have two autoimmune diseases, Crohns and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was told by my Holistic Gastroenterologist that I shouldn’t boost my immune system because it then causes my immune system to go into overdrive and attack itself. So I have been on Biologic medication that lowers my immune system so it doesn’t attack itself and put me in the hospital. I hope I explained this correctly.

[@clarioncall8449]

So impressed with your clean towel after filling your elderberry tincture bottles. Mine would def have had spots all over it. Try a blow drier or heat gun on your shrink wrappers.

[@pippakay7234]

I have yo say Becky that your style of sharing/teaching is so user friendly. Most videos regarding cooking are made to look easy but in fact when you come to to do them they aren't. Your videos are easy to follow, real and authentic even down to the little mishaps, well presented and make you keen to try them out. You're an all round winner. Thank you for sharing your cooking, gardening tips and hacks and plant knowledge.❤

[@nicoleanderson4061]

You have so many gifts/skills/ talents, Becky! What a great 'TEACHER' 👍 👌 👏

[@annwilliams2075]

In the UK we make elderflower champagne- it is not champagne or alcoholic but it is so delicious. So refreshing on a hot summer day.

[@rentedspace7462]

It is amazing I had it at a friends house and to say I’m growing my own trees for that reason is an understatement 😂

[@carriespyrou4317]

Elderflower cordial is delicious too and so easy to make.

[@rentedspace7462]

@@carriespyrou4317 ooh I’ll have to try that also

[@shirleysparks1148]

Try marking things with a ribbon or string so you can find it later when it's in its dormant state . Bright colored ribbon and you can write the name of what it is .

[@xo2quilt]

Brilliant idea!!!

[@DTQueen90]

My husband is Peruvian and whenever I'm sick, he makes a medicine with honey, lime juice, onion, garlic, and ginger and it helps healing a ton. It sounds very similar to your oxymel just exchanging the vinegar for lime juice.

[@robertlavigne6560]

Is the recipe for upper respiratory tract infections? Your husband takes great care of you! Have a great day, Debbie Lavigne 😊

[@Vanrachana0215]

❤❤❤🎉😊

[@deloresbembry7079]

Can you share his recipe?

[@marikajohn6522]

Yes would like also.

[@meggo6673]

We make this with grated ginger, minced garlic, turmeric, cayenne, honey and lemon juice. I just take a spoonful every few hours and it is amazing.

[@rentedspace7462]

Hello Becky just so you know for next time if you lift the funnel even a little bit from the bottle it will drain faster as you have removed the air lock. The airlock between the funnel and the bottle slows down the liquid as the air is stuck inside the bottle

[@melodystull19]

I also made the elderberry tincture I made it like you but I added cloves and the zest of one orange and some fresh ground black pepper. After cooling I added honey and about a half a cup of fresh squeezed orange juice I went a step further and made gummies for my 2 year old grandson use 1 cup of juice and 2 tablespoons of beef gelatin ,warm just a little to mix good then poured in cute molds ,he loved them

[@kandicecampbell1579]

Becky, you can also use your steam juicer the juice the berries. And that can be canned for later use. 😊

[@stephaniejackson8555]

Glad you mentioned juicing. I recently discussed with my daughter, if juicing would diminish the nutrients in the fruit. Bought 50 lbs of frozen cranberries from Azure. Juiced them, wondered if there would be anything left in the mash. Considered freeze drying it, then putting it into capsules for Cranberry powder. What do you think? Love the juice!

[@wendymccollough156]

My mom used to make Elderberry jelly every year. It was all we ate until she found the Strawberry freezer jam recipe on a box of Sure Jel. Both are delicious

[@alexandriasorensen9064]

I'm big into propagation (I have over 30 houseplants, not including cuttings lol) and a great tip is if you have a pothos, take a cutting from it and water prop it with your other cuttings. They essentially act as a rooting hormone for other plants!

[@wildjane2010]

So so glad you mentioned that if you have an autoimmune disease 🦠 because elderberry stimulates your immune system and may trigger a CYTOKINESES STORM. Please look it up if you have any autoimmune diseases. Again thank you Becky for the mention. Love your channel. ❤

[@lori2182]

This last year I juiced my elderberries in a steam juicer and freeze dried some of the juice. I also made jelly. We add the powder to smoothies or teas. What is really delicious though is the elderflowers. I make an elderflower syrup &/or jelly. And freeze dry some for teas. I’ve made and elderflower cheese cake and an elderflower cake. So good!

[@fortunemickaellagenevievec8803]

Love Elderflower. I add them to cakes

[@vernahrris5601]

ummmm. that sounds very interesting!!!!

[@virginiasmith1336]

I love elderberry, especially wine❤

[@calistarlim3242]

Oh that’s so smart to make them as powders so it’s long term shelf stable but still easy enough to mix up when you don’t feel like doing more than a little mixing. And it’s also so versatile then.

[@Sally-ue8el]

I make shrub often... It is honey, Apple cider vinegar and whatever fruity flavour you like. Ratio - 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 in a mason jar. Shake it up... Leave for several weeks. It makes a great syrup that you can mix with soda water. My favourite is raspberry, pomegranate and vanilla. Divine!!❤

[@lauriesylvia985]

I loved this! My husband takes elderberry syrup regularly that he purchases at a local farmers market. It would be great to makes these for him, and our family! ❤

[@ginnamagda5810]

This was awesome. I moved and have elderberry trees everywhere. Can’t wait to try this.

[@badge2045]

U are truly amazing. I never heard of what your making. U have all the proper labels, bottle, and shrink wraps. I just enjoy U so much. I gave shared your videos with tons of ppl. ❤

[@teresecox4109]

Your timing is always amazing! I was just given several Elderberry cuttings, and cannot wait to establish a small group of plants. Love learning about the possible uses! Thank you!

[@sighthound5449]

Hmmmm, elderflower and local honey…what do I make….how about trying something different…elderflower mead!!! Delicious and would make a fantastic mini series for the acre homestead year ahead!

[@lori2182]

I have soaked elderflowers in vodka and made an elderflower cordial(syrup), mix together to get an elderflower liqueur.

[@sighthound5449]

@@lori2182 sounds delicious !

[@normajones4792]

My grandmother had my siblings and I pick her Elderberries when we were just kids , then she would make jam for us. Yum!!

[@paperviewcrafting6479]

I have a black elderflower which has pink flowers and makes the most amazing elderflower cordial. I’ve harvested the berries instead of the flowers this year and have them in the freezer but haven’t used them yet. Now I feel inspired! Thank you.

[@Soapartisan875]

I have made Elderberry jam, homemade throat lozenges/ lollipops for the kids/adults and syrup for coughs . It tastes delicious and good for you .

[@KitchenGardenTours]

Your Elderberry harvest will increase if you have a few planted around your property. There are some beautiful varieties available. I planted Instant Karma, Black Lace, and Lemonly Lace Elderberry in my Texas garden before we moved. Best of luck with the cuttings! I did the same and they rooted really easily.

[@kat517]

We bought starts at a street fair in Hannibal, Missouri. The starts took off in August and they grew to be so tall. Unfortunately the birds took off with the berries.

[@diannerempel8262]

Can the berries from a Lemony Lace Elderberry be used for tincture or jam?

[@KitchenGardenTours]

@@kat517 I’m sure the birds appreciated your efforts and maybe will share the harvest with you this year!

[@KitchenGardenTours]

@@diannerempel8262 no only blue or purple berries from Sambucus plants are edible. However, I was told that they would still attract pollinators for the other varieties. Hope that helps!

[@maryarcher8484]

​@@KitchenGardenTourscover the berry's with bird netting or tuel

[@OrganicMommaGA]

Recently, I used dried elderberries in a 2nd ferment of kombucha. It turned out wonderfully tasty and a little fizzy.

[@melaniemaldonado6692]

I have Elderberry tea but now i see how easy it is to make Syrup, Tincture & Oxymels , im gonna purchse some Elderberries.

[@dianebaker5243]

Lovely video too watch, Thank you for showing.💯 Percent respect for you doing a disclaimer in the beginning 👍😍

[@georgeklinzing1449]

If you check The 1870 homestead they just did a harvest of stems from elderberry bushes to propagate them, so it looks like you maybe able to do it now. We have elderberry bushes and make syrup and jelly so good! Enjoy yours

[@dorisspecial3619]

SOO glad you ensure your girls are consuming safe things! I have just ordered freeze dried elderberries, thanks for the great links!

[@margaretcopeland1055]

I am a handweaver and I worked for a German handweaver. She came over to supervise some weaving I was doing for her. At the time I had an elderberry tree right in front of my house. It was in bloom. My German "boss" started screeching excitedly in German ( I didn't understandt) about taking some of the elderberry blosooms home. For her a favorite German treat was to sauté the blossoms in butter and that's what you ate.

[@ghc7400]

Dip the blossom in crepe batter and fry it on a pan. Delicious.

[@lucindasutt7365]

I was thinking as I was watching you, buying labels specific to these type of things. Family, visitors, etc., would take notice immediately and read the label. Children would know without reading, those labels mean do not touch. Just my thoughts.

[@wendyfromny6890]

When rooting plants in water, it is beneficial to add a tablespoon of horticultural charcoal granules to keep the water fresh and not become slimy/moldy. It also makes it so you don’t have to change out the water and lose the rooting hormones that are developing in the water. 👍🏻

[@karenfrankland7763]

We started Elderberries about 4 years ago in our backyard. We have the black Elderberry. Ours reach upwards to 12 feet tall. At the end of January beginning of Feb. we cut ours down to about 6 inches from the ground. We take all the cuttings and plant them in pots with compost. and leave them outside. In the spring they start to sprout and root. We do make Elderberry tincture and syrup with outs as well as make Elderflower liquor with the flowers. When we drain our elderberry tincture and syrup we run the elderberries through a hand crank food mill and give the pulp to the chickens. They love it. We take elderberry tincture every morning before coffee or tea and take a shot of elderberry syrup before bedtime.

[@princessalways4eva]

I just finished printing out some of your recipes to put in my recipe binder, I’m so excited, I can’t wait to start. I’m starting with the breads.🎉🎉 I just purchased regular salt not iodized. My next purchase will be bread flour. I have multiple sclerosis and my doctor told me years ago that I have to be careful what I ingest even if it’s natural. Very interesting video. I just love the diversity on your channel. It’s like a one stop shop.😊 Great job. Tfs. Enjoy the rest of your day.🤗

[@lilypudd]

Just a heads up. The warnings on Elderberry say not to mix with certain drugs taken for Multible Sclerosis.

[@PersistentPam]

I was able to dig up some of the new smaller branches off my elderberry bush. It actually yielded two clusters of berries that first summer. I think that may actually be quicker than rooting cuttings. Since the roots are already there when I dug them up. Just wanted to throw that out there since you have some bushes near your home. Also when I make elderberry syrup I take my potato masher and smash the berries as they are cooking. I also add in star anise, clove, a knob of ginger and cinnamon sticks. The syrup turns out super dark just like your tincture did. I also freeze my mason jars of syrup and have used them up to two years after I make them.

[@debbiebell4598]

We call them Elderberry bushes and I didn't know they had a toxin in them when raw. We have them growing all over our yard, in our chicken run and my chickens adore them. I have made the syrup before, but the family didn't use it so I stopped making it. Also2 of us have autoimmune diseases so, you're right, we don't want to boost our immune system. Love watching what you can do with them.

[@EvanC881]

I so admire your abundance mindset, Becky. You are so generous with your time and efforts, and you make me feel like there is plenty of food, shelter, and love to go around. Such a balm for the scarcity mindset I grew up in.

[@marygrott8095]

I also make elderberry syrup. That shrink wrapping process looks easy and very cool!

[@xo2quilt]

Amazing, isn't it!!! I always thought that was a "professionals only" thing!!

[@susanfit47]

Great. I found wild elderberry in my area. I've propagated two stems. Hoping to grow my own😊

[@AcreHomestead]

Good luck!

[@susanfit47]

@@AcreHomestead thanks. Just finished making the oxymel recipe. I did add cloves and rose hips.

[@17emsofie98]

Elderberries are growing here in my home everywhere. But here in Austria we mainly use its flowers to make sirup. have you ever done sirpu from the small little flowers in spring? the sirup from its flowers is a favorite we love to make limonade from, also we mix it with Prosecco or wine. we also use it to season cakes. the berries itself we normally make jams, compote as roasted paste for pan cakes or Kaiserschmarrn.

[@cheriebrinker3301]

Becky and elderberry makes for a great day.

[@lyndseybeaumont7301]

Anything you can do with the berries from the elder tree, you can also do with the flowers. Elderflower cordial or elderflower champagne is beautiful. It has a very delicate aromatic flavour x

[@1wickett]

If the crystallized honey bothers you, a warm water bath will take it back to liquid.

[@xo2quilt]

Thank you!! Have some honey and it crystallized...microwaving isn't a great choice, I'll try a warm water bath! Need to add more honey to my fire cider! I was a bit ambitious...made over 2 gallons!!

[@afveteran6564]

Becky you're so amazing how you care for your chickens so much.

[@Hanneninah]

Elderflower syrup/lemonade is my absolute favorite summer drink. My parents took us elderflower picking every year, and then we made the syrup together. It sat in a children's bathtub with tons of lemon slices and a net (to prevent bugs from flying into it) on our balcony. It's one of my favorite memories, and every time I have elderflower lemonade, I remember those times 🌸

[@daninic9355]

Thanks so much for your content! I really enjoying watching 😃 I’d like to recommend planting the little elderberry plants you have before spring. Plants that go dormant do better being transplanted when they don’t have their leaves. Good luck with the new cuttings as well!

[@wendypeckinpaugh1078]

Love seeing you use the elderberry! When you get your chicken coop/run built, elderberries would be a good thing to plant around it for the health of your chickens

[@anahidkassabian4471]

To keep the syrup longer, you could freeze it in ice cube trays. The high sugar content might mean it won’t freeze hard, so you might want to put them in a bag or something. But to use them, you could just put one in a cup and pour hot water over it and drink it. I just made some elderberry syrup last week, and I’m going to try this myself.

[@susansharpe7464]

I realize that blackberries are invasive, but they are delicious. My family has historically used them as a border plant. Historically means from the late 1800's onward. Sometimes the simplest practices are the best. Nature provides and thrives in appropriate circumstances. Grow what is successful where you live, and don't waste the time and frustration on crops that are not viable in your area. Corn in your garden. Pumpkins in mine. But we all share the gardeners passion, and I go to sleep thinking about my garden. Makes my heart happy.

[@barbaraanderson4175]

When we were kids we picked Elderberries from our neighborhood. We sat on our back porch and pulled them off the stems. My mom made Elderberry jam and jelly. It’s delicious! Made it every year. We used to pop a few in our mouths as kids. Very sour.

[@carolyngregory9354]

Becky, you never cease to amaze me with your projects. That’s one reason I love your channel and you. Until next time………..

[@LemonBlossomHomestead]

Thank you for this video, Becky! We use elderberry all winter long and this video has given me the confidence to try and make my own. I never realized how simple it can be.

[@belieftransformation]

Great explanations & demonstration of how to do these! I’ve made the syrup & loved it. My elderberry trees are just starting to produce little berries & the deer here love to nibble the branches, so I’d recommend planting your new ones inside your fenced yard. My varieties are Bob Gordon & Adams Elderberry which can be eaten raw because they’re not the European species. In Alberta, Canada, I put my cuttings in the fridge to over winter & when they started sprouting, I planted them in pots of dirt. Blessings 🤗🇨🇦

[@davinatest8467]

When sterilising you only need to wipe the clippers or whatever your cleaning because it’s the evaporation process that clears the bacteria so wipe fully then allow to air dry.

[@jenka_b]

In Sweden it’s popular to use the elderberry flower, the juice is so good. 😋

[@Daughter_of_the_MostHigh]

how do you use it?

[@xo2quilt]

Does picking the flowers interfere with the berry production?

[@xo2quilt]

@@cynthiafisher9907 So you get berries or flowers...but I want both!! Thanks for the confirmation!

[@xo2quilt]

@@cynthiafisher9907 That's what I thought, but I've never grown anything like it so I wanted to make sure!!

[@sherryd112]

This was a very fun and educational video. I really like the idea of the Elderberry Oxymel. My sisters and I drove around the back country last year and harvested quite a bit of elderberries. Made up some syrup and put it in the freezer. Can't remember the recipe we used, but I wasn't a fan. It was nothing like yours, which sounds really good. I'll have to try that this year. Thanks for all the info!

[@sandiegojan1885]

Try making a 50/50 mix of the alcohol/elderberry mixture 4 weeks I’d fine) and a simple syrup. 1:1 and it can be as sweet as you like. Keep it in the freezer to create an aquavit. Much like a limoncello lasts forever. Take small shot (sip) when you need a boost.

[@clarehartland150]

Harvest the blossoms to make elderflower cordial or elderflower wine. Lemon and elderflower cake made with the neat cordial is delicious, my Gran used to have buckets of elderflowers steeping in her pantry.

[@jandegrand6189]

Hi neighbor. The doves love my elderberries and the fruit is too high to pick, so I get them from my neighbor, too. Star Anise and galangal can also be added to the mixture. I make blackberry wine out of my berry crop that tastes like a cabernet. Stay healthy!

[@takethatshushu]

Becky I take elderberry syrup every day and I make a ton all at once and freeze the excess, then just take a bottle out of the freezer when I run out 😊

[@cindybakow9687]

Dear Becky, Thank you so very much for the introduction which included not only the toxicity of the raw berry, but also the fact that anyone with an immune mediated condition should not be using this supplement. The last thing anyone needs with an overactive immune system is to boost their immune system even more. I just love watching your videos and I appreciate all of the work you put into them. Peace always to you, your family and your followers.

[@dianawhitehead7887]

You can freeze elderberry syrup to extend the shelf life. I use half pint mason jars.

[@user-gs3fm2rh3j]

Elder bush. Grow about 10 feet tall. The leaves and branches, not the fruit are what have the toxic parts. You can make tea of flowers but only modest amount as it’s chemical make changes once it’s fruit matures.

[@terryhenderson424]

Youve done a lot with seeds, a fair amount with bulbs and tuber type things, and i agree that you should begin to branch out (lol) into propogation with cuttings and stems. Three other things to work with are roses, native honey suckle vine, amd rhodies. I realize that rhodies arent your favorite but they are pretty fuss free when set in among the woods; early bloomers are important to the native, ground dwelling, big bumble bees as is the prostate, native, Oregon grape. - This said, during this season of winter and spring pruning a tactic is tomgatjer people's prunings then decide what to do with any that rooted up and are viable.

[@missymyers7043]

I think the “extra” on the shrink wrap is supposed to cover the rubber part to keep air from getting in where it meets the plastic top.

[@SLKern]

How wonderful to find a treasure from God‘s apothecary in your backyard! We live near the woods, so I often collect Elderflowers in May to make syrup, and jelly. Extra flowers can be dried (but in a well ventilated area, because of the smell), for use in teas. Some people even dip fresh flowers in a batter and fry them for a dessert. Thank you for the lovely and informative video!

[@tracycarradine8515]

Becky, I love all your videos. This one was excellent as well. Love how you share multiple projects. Thank you for all that you do. ❤️

[@carolgorton5615]

Used to make wine with the berries. One year it didnt turn out well so we left it , added some sugar and tried it again after it wotked and 2nd time. It turned into a nice small after dinner drink. Very smooth.

[@pepperwillis4090]

This was such a fascinating video! I have always wanted to delve more into making “home remedies”. My grandmother used to make them up every harvest season and dose us whenever she caught the slightest inkling of a sniffle. lol. On another note, today I am using your recipe for French bread to try a creative approach to a roll type dish. Once the dough is ready to be shaped, I’m going to fill it with a mixture of shredded potatoes, carrots and onions, add in some frozen mixed vegetables, season it with liquid smoke, salt, pepper, onion flakes, garlic powder, rosemary, sage, thyme, and paprika, mix in a bunch of cheese, then roll it all up cinnamon roll style and bake it. Hopefully it turns out! If it does I think my vegetarian kids are going to love it! I looked around in your site but didn’t see your ever so famous cinnamon rolls recipe there. I sure hope you add it someday! That would be amazing!

[@LisaYoung-j2q]

I’m sooo excited to do this! Becky, you are a jack of all trades!!

[@darcimunday4410]

I had so much fun watching you in your beautiful yard trying to find the tree. LOL! I love your outdoors your beautiful yatd is amazing!

[@MrsIzzy52]

My sister has a giant black sambuca elderberry in her garden and the berry heads are like large dinner plates so I shall be going to hers to get some cuttings and also to harvest her berries to make tinctures, syrup & oxymel. I’m chronically ill and am always catching colds etc via my husband from my grandkids so Black Sambuca Elderberries to the rescue I love how tall her shrub gets it’s all purple and about 15/20ft tall before it gets cut down for winter. Looks absolutely delicious and I definitely saw a cocktail 🍸 being made 😉

[@AZJH8374]

Your nails are fabulous Becky! Are you making Beef Wellington for your Dad's birthday this year? Can't wait for that one! Love, prayers 🙏🏻 & many Blessings for you all. Nurse Judi in Scottsdale and E Minister ❤️ 💙 🙏🏻

[@mawpatti]

Becky I make homemade elderberry syrup for myself all the time....I use....ceylon cinnamon sticks, rose hips, ground cloves, star anise, grated fresh ginger, and of course the dried elderberries....add needed amount of water to the mixture and bring to a boil and then simmer for 1 hour....when done I strain it and let it cool slightly then add my raw honey and blackberry concentrate for flavoring...Jar up and enjoy! 🙂I need to get me some of those shrink wraps...great idea!!

[@McGiggleBicky]

Mum used to make rosehip syrup and steep sloe berries in gin to, for medicinal purposes of course 😉. Both of them grew wild with elder berry’s so you might find those too. Love watching your content

[@NJTwinmom]

I’m so happy you’re getting into herbalism! The next thing you should make is fire cider. Absolutely amazing for cold and flu season.

[@wts7273]

Loved this video so much! Nice to have a change of pace, I loved all of the different bottles and you package them up so sweetly, I wish I was your Neighbour! ☺️

[@KateEASN]

Oh my goodness, you have taught me how to shrink wrap! That is so cool 😊

[@melodyemmert3077]

I put cheesecloth in my strainer. When you squeeze the berries inside the cheesecloth you can get more juice out of them.

[@Daughter_of_the_MostHigh]

I bought an elderberry plant last year it’s starting to thrive i’m not sure how long it will take to produce but one day ill get to try these recipes

[@deanne609]

I use a heat gun to shrink wrap. You get the best seal and it’s fast and no water mess? I’m sure a blow dryer on high heat will work too.

[@shirleymeyle3702]

Looks like your patio will need a good power washing this Spring. You have such a beautiful spot there.

[@cherylpresleigh6403]

This was a very fun video! This is something I’ve been very interested in and this year I’m starting my first medicinal herb garden. It will be a small scale garden as I learn it will likely grow. My plan is to be able to grow herbs for this type of thing. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I love seeing hands on demos for stuff like this.

[@elisaaisenstat6364]

We have a blackberry problem, too, and someone recommended borrowing a friend's goat, tying the goat to a tree near the blackberries, and letting the goat eat all the blackberry bushes.

[@wellyahknow]

becky, if you have a willow tree take some cuttings from the willow and add to the elderberry cuttings, willow has a natural hormone to make propagating go faster (this will work on almost anything you are trying to root )

[@Ragt0p]

I’d suggest looking into elderberry flower consentrate (flowers boiled with water, sugar, lemon, lime and citric acid). Soooo delicious as a watered down nectar, or used in cocktails.

[@beckym5730]

Tip if you turn that measure cup around and pour it out of the handle and put bottom of handle on top of jar you are pour in works better.

[@Happy2Run4Me]

Love this video! I started making tinctures a couple years ago now and I’d only made elderberry syrup. I’m going to try making the elderberry tincture next since that’s my preferred medium. I’ve started making tinctures from my loblolly pine needles which help the immune system as well but this variety I’ve found also helped with my brain fog I was having. I’m going to send some to my dad as he’s in his 80’s to help his brain function. I also make another brain concoction as well but haven’t tried taking it yet as I’ve had such success with my loblolly tincture. I love that it grows on my property and can make as much as I want! I’m going to start growing nettles and goldenrod as well for my allergies as I use both of those daily as well as echinacea as needed for colds and flus. It’s amazing what a difference these make for me! Nothing else helped me from the pharmaceutical world. Such a Godsend, truly. Love this content! 😊Also, ever made an elderberry glycerite?

[@kellycrowl1500]

How cool is this stuff?! ❤❤❤Thank you for sharing, Becky!