The power of Herbs for Preppers Series "Elder"

The power of herbs for preppers series “Elder”

Elder is a member of the honeysuckle family and has been in existence from prehistoric times.  It clusters with white flowers and blackish purple berries. Its berries, bark, and flowers have been used to make tonics to do everything from induce sweating to treat colds to encourage excretion.

Elderberry works great with echinacea, astriligus root, and slippery elm bark and the Berries are said to make a potent cold syrup if done properly.  the phytochemicals in european elder are good viral vanquishers. however there are many variants of elder such as european elder, elderberry, and black elderberry. they both can be used for the same medicinal purposes but may have a different impact.

Some uses for elder are:

• Bronchitis
• Colds and Flus’
• breathing and respiratory problems
• mucous membrane inflammation
• sinusitis
• sore throat

Dosing:
Elder Tea:  2-3 times a day
Tincture: 1 eyedropper full in 6 ounces of warm water 2 times daily
Liquid Extract: 1/2 to 2 teaspoons  of whole herb daily
Precautions:

Raw or unripe elder berries can induce diarrhea or vomiting if consumed in excess.

Elder Tea Recipe:

• 8 ounces of boiling water
• 2 teaspoons of dried elder plant (Whole herb)
• Teaball or Infuser

directions:
Place herb in tea ball or infuser
Pour boiling water over herb in cup
Let steep 4-5 minutes

Take 2-3 times daily

Elderberry Tincture Recipe

You will need:

• 4 ounces of raw elderberries and or elder plant
• distilled water
• Food Grade Vegetable Glycerine
• Pint size mason jar or other glass jar.

First take 6 ounces of vegetable glycerine and add 4 ounces of distilled water and stir well until mixture is clear. ( This will be your menstruum)

Secondly, Crush berries and plant materials and add to mason jar
add 3 parts of your menstruum to your crushed herbs stirring initially
shake well for at least 2 weeks and keep in a cool dry place four a minimum of 4 weeks

Lastly,After the 4 weeks strain and press all materials well( as in our making tincture recipes for glycerine tinctures) after completed what is in the jar,  this is known as your Mark or tincture.


Note This is known as a Cold infusion Method and is more potent thane other methods but takes time. Warm, hot infusions (as below in the syrup making video and forced distillation process)
This is a good video and much quicker but if you need potent herbal solutions try to plan ahead by previous years illness' history not just in your household but overall.

How to make Elderberry Syrup Video: