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Home » Herbalism » Herbal Remedies » Tinctures » How to Make a Tincture: Elderberry & Echinacea

How to Make a Tincture: Elderberry & Echinacea

May contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my privacy policy and affiliate disclosure.

Originally published on November 14, 2016. Last updated on September 5, 2020

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Two jars of tinctures steeping and two finished jars of homemade elderberry and echinacea tinctures.

Making homemade herbal medicine is so empowering. For each project I do, by the end all I want is to learn more. I have always wanted to learn how to make a tincture, but figured that it was difficult. As it turns out, it’s actually quite easy! Elderberry and echinacea tinctures are simple to make and perfect for beginning herbalists to start with.

Two jars of homemade elderberry and echinacea tinctures.

Herbal Academy Course

You may have heard me mention once or twice that I’m taking the online Intermediate Herbal Course at the Herbal Academy.

I took the Intro Herbal Course last year and thought it was great, and I wanted to expand my knowledge more. I’ve learned many cool things this time around, including how to make a tincture!

Elderberry & Echinacea Tincture Recipes

Since cold and flu season is happening whether I want it to or not, I decided to make two different tinctures that I commonly use during this time of year: elderberry and echinacea.

I had a bunch of foraged elderberries that I dried, and I thought this would be the perfect use for them, and echinacea root is an old standby.

This makes two separate tinctures, one elderberry and one echinacea.

The amount of dried herbs and alcohol you use depends on the size jars that you want to use for tincture making. I used pint jars, so approximately one cup of each herb (more or less) and one 750ml bottle of vodka.

What you need

  • dried elderberries (can also use fresh elderberries if you have access to them)
  • dried echinacea angustifolia root
  • 80 proof vodka
  • 2 mason jars with lids

How to make the tinctures

Fill your jars ½ – ¾ full with the dried herbs, then completely cover them with the vodka. I had more echinacea root than elderberries, so it will probably end up being a stronger tincture.

starting-elderberry-and-echinacea-tincture

Cover tightly with a lid, and gently shake to make sure that all of the dried herbs are saturated. Keep the jars in a cool and dark place for 4-6 weeks.

Check on them from time to time and rock the jar back and forth a bit. Add more alcohol if needed to keep the herbs covered if evaporation has occurred.

elderberry-and-echinacea-tincture-before-straining

After 4-6 weeks the tinctures will be dark in color and ready to strain. Place a piece of cheesecloth in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl or large jar. Pour out the contents of the tinctures.

strain-herbs-out-of-tincture

Squeeze out as much liquid as you can from the cheesecloth. The echinacea in particular holds a lot of liquid in the dried root matter.

squeezing-out-elderberry-tincture

That’s pretty much all there is to it, your tinctures are now made!

elderberry-and-echinacea-tincture

You can keep them in jars like this and just take a small spoonful at a time when you’re starting to feel under the weather.

This is potent stuff, so don’t go overboard! A little goes a long way. Be sure to label the jars, and it’s a good idea to date them as well.

labeled-tinctures

You can also transfer the tinctures into more traditional dropper bottles using a small funnel, if that suits your fancy. It makes it easier to get the right dose that way as well.

If you prefer to buy tinctures rather than make your own, I highly recommend Herb Pharm! They carry Elderberry Tincture and Echinacea Tincture, as well as different immune boosting blends, alcohol-free glycerites, and products for kids. Use this code for 15% off your order: COLLEEN15

Herb Pharm products can also be found on Amazon here.

Both of these herbs are well known for their immune boosting properties!

Another great way to use elderberries is in this Simple Elderberry Syrup recipe.

Learn more about the healing power of herbs, and great herbal recipes like this from the Herbal Academy!


More Elderberry Recipes

Show your immune system some extra love and discover your favorite way to enjoy elderberries!

  • Fermented Elderberry Honey
  • Elderberry Soda
  • Immune Boosting Elderberry Tea
  • Elderberry Mead

What is your favorite herbal remedy during cold and flu season?

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5 from 5 votes

Elderberry & Echinacea Tincture

Since cold and flu season is happening whether I want it to or not, I decided to make two different tinctures that I commonly use during this time of year: elderberry and echinacea.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 42 days
Total Time 42 days 10 minutes
Yield 150 doses
Cost $7.00
Author Colleen @ Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Equipment

  • Pint Mason Jar
  • Cheesecloth
  • Fine Mesh Sieve
  • Small Funnel
  • Dropper Bottles

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Elderberry Tincture

  • 1 cup dried elderberries, (can also use fresh if you have access to them)
  • 375 ml 80-proof vodka

Echinacea Tincture

  • 1 cup dried echinacea angustifolia root
  • 375 ml 80-proof vodka

Instructions

How to Make a Tincture

  • Fill your jars 1/2 – 3/4 full with the dried herbs, then completely cover them with the vodka. 
  • Cover tightly with a lid, and gently shake to make sure that all of the dried herbs are saturated. 
  • Keep the jars in a cool and dark place for 4-6 weeks. Check on them from time to time and rock the jar back and forth a bit. Add more alcohol if needed to keep the herbs covered if evaporation has occurred.
  • After 4-6 weeks the tinctures will be dark in color and ready to strain. Place a piece of cheesecloth in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl or large jar. Pour out the contents of the tinctures.
  • Squeeze out as much liquid as you can from the cheesecloth. The echinacea in particular holds a lot of liquid in the dried root matter.

Notes

  • Adult Acute Dosage: ¼- ½ teaspoon every hour during illness.
  • You can also transfer the tinctures into more traditional dropper bottles using a small funnel, if that suits your fancy. It makes it easier to get the right dose that way as well.
  • Shelf Life: Tinctures last for years. 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristin says

    January 22, 2023 at 1:25 pm

    Is this safe for children and toddlers to take? If so, what amounts you would recommend?

    Also, could you make one tincture out of both the elderberry and the echinacea?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      January 23, 2023 at 10:48 am

      Hi Kristin. No, I would not give alcohol-based tinctures to children, but if you wanted, you could make an alcohol-free version with vegetable glycerin that would be safe for kids.

      Reply
  2. Kim says

    December 11, 2022 at 10:58 am

    Can you use brandy instead of vodka?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      December 12, 2022 at 3:06 pm

      No, unfortunately not. You’ll need to use a hard liquor that is 40-60% ABV.

      Reply
  3. Betsy says

    October 2, 2022 at 10:17 am

    Could I make this tincture in a larger quantity, like 1/2 gallon at a time?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      October 3, 2022 at 9:17 am

      Hi Betsy. Sure you can do that!

      Reply
  4. Cheri says

    September 15, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    Hello Colleen, I have made elderberry tincture before. This year I wanted to try you recipe with the echinacea. I am wondering though, I have Cheyenne Echinacea. It looks exactly the same as the violet pink coneflower except the colors vary. Will that work the same? Or only coneflower? Thanks so much. I love your fermentation book. I share it with my girls all the time. This year I get to make all the baby items for my new grandchild.

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      September 19, 2022 at 8:46 am

      Hi Cheri. Yes, you can use Cheyenne echinacea in the same way as other varieties of echinacea.

      Reply
  5. Lya says

    September 13, 2022 at 11:39 am

    Hi there, would it be ok to use a higher proof alcohol to make tinctures? I had some given to me for making limoncello and have some left over….its around 95%

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      September 19, 2022 at 9:06 am

      Hi Lya. Yes, you can use high-proof alcohol for this recipe, but you’ll need to dilute it first.

      Reply
  6. Robe says

    August 28, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    Hi there,

    I have generally made the elderberry tincture with fresh berries. Will this recipe work with the fresh berries as well?

    Thanks,
    Robe

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      August 30, 2021 at 8:49 am

      Definitely!

      Reply
      • Hermien says

        September 14, 2021 at 3:16 pm

        And what about frozen berries, would that be a possibility? I already made juice and syrup, but did not use all the berries I had, so I put them in the freezer.

        I’d like to make a tincture as well, but don’t know if this will work with the leftover frozen berries??

      • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

        September 20, 2021 at 9:26 am

        Yes, you can use thawed frozen berries to make the tincture.

      • Petra Lekic says

        January 14, 2023 at 1:46 pm

        Thank you ***

  7. Cheri says

    December 19, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    I’m wondering, I started the elderberry tincture Nov 28. My husband has the flu. Can I use my tincture as long as I strain it to prevent myself from getting the flu from him, and possibly shorten his time laid up? So sorry if this is a dumb question. I tried looking but can’t find anything about what sets the length of soaking except strength. Is weak better than nothing? Or is there another reason for soaking 4 weeks?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      December 21, 2020 at 8:35 am

      Hi, Cheri! It wouldn’t hurt to try it! It may be a weaker dose though.

      Reply
      • Cheri says

        December 21, 2020 at 7:03 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you!!

      • Cheri says

        December 22, 2020 at 11:54 am

        Thinking of straining 1/4 cup fir use now. Then add move vodka and let rest continue. Or will that ruin it?

      • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

        December 22, 2020 at 12:27 pm

        That should work.

  8. Cheri says

    December 18, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    Wondering how soon I can use a freshly made tincture. My tincture is only about 3 weeks old. My husband has the flu and I am wondering if its too soon to use it. I really don’t want the flu and would like to help him if possible.

    Thanks

    Reply
  9. Eva says

    September 12, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    Thanks you for a great informative site. I do have a question though… anyone have a recipe for Elderberry Jelly ( not jam) using dehydrated berries?
    Thanks for any and all info
    Eva

    Reply
  10. Marguerite says

    September 8, 2019 at 3:59 pm

    Seems squishing the berries might work better am I wrong.

    Reply
  11. Linda says

    May 19, 2019 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    Can an elderberry tincture be made with tequila?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      May 29, 2019 at 9:58 am

      It can be, but I’m not sure how good that would be. Might make a nice cocktail though!

      Reply
  12. Sara says

    November 25, 2018 at 11:12 pm

    Made my tincture, bottled it. Forgot it at my mother’s after showing it off. Sent to pick it up at thanksgiving, he just threw it out thinking it would have gone sour. Uhh huh vodka. ….sour. She knows better, she always made tinctures. Said she forgot…sorry. So frustrating cause I used all my elderberry fresh. No more till next summer.

    Reply
  13. Kat T says

    May 14, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    Hi, I’m wondering if you’ve ever made a tincture with the two combined? Is that still effective or advised?

    Reply
    • Patricia says

      September 17, 2022 at 4:25 am

      I was also looking for the answer to this! Any reason not to combine the herbs before making the tincture?

      Reply
  14. Mary says

    January 15, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Rich Ceh told me that he uses elderberry glycerites almost exclusively. Apparently it’s quite tasty.
    I tend to use alcohol for everything, but this year meant to try the glycerine.

    Reply
  15. caroline watson-felt says

    October 19, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    How do you figure out dosing for cold-care vs. how much to take daily? Does size, weight, age, matter?

    Reply
  16. Aisha says

    October 9, 2017 at 6:40 am

    Do you HAVE to use alcohol?

    Reply
    • Angie says

      November 28, 2017 at 4:04 pm

      You can use Raw Apple Cider Vinegar or Food grade vegetable glycerin in place of alcohol. I have celiac so I can’t have most brands of 80 proof vodka since they are made with wheat, but I make tinctures with ACV or glycerin. There are several blogs that I follow that make tinctures without alcohol. I plan on trying these two with glycerin.

      Reply
      • Marshena Kemp says

        September 18, 2018 at 4:52 pm

        Angie, how did your tinctures turn out?

  17. Claude Hollebecque says

    August 29, 2017 at 5:32 am

    Question: We are taught at our herboalist school that one should not use raw elderberry because of the cyanide compounds that are only distroyed by heating. . What happens with fresh elderberry tincture? is this the same?

    Reply
    • Grow Forage Cook Ferment says

      September 11, 2017 at 12:21 pm

      Those compounds are only in the leaves, stems, seeds, and unripe berries. As long as ripe berries are used and then strained out, it will be just fine.

      Reply
  18. Wanda Olson says

    August 21, 2017 at 6:20 am

    Hello
    I’ve made dried elderberry tincture for years the same way you have. I keep in dropper bottle and take a dropper every day start in fall thru spring. Mighty protective!!!

    Reply
    • Kathy Workman says

      June 27, 2018 at 7:09 pm

      What is the shelf life of a tincture?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        September 18, 2018 at 5:54 pm

        At least ten years if stored properly.

  19. Marilyn Patterson says

    December 3, 2016 at 2:40 am

    Are these allergins…I am allergic to to many things like citrus and yeasts…

    Reply
  20. Courtney - Intentionalish says

    November 17, 2016 at 6:57 am

    I saw one tincture method with a bunch of calculations – use strong alcohol then precisely dilute with water…to get 80 proof. I remember thinking at the time, why not just buy 80 proof off of the shelf? I’m sure they had their reasons, but I’m going to take the easy way out here.

    I just bought dried elder flower, and in addition to teas I think I’ll tincture some.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 4, 2017 at 3:09 pm

      To Courtney’s comment, It’s because you need more liquid and less alcohol; you would need too much alcohol to plant matter ratio if you used 80 proof off the shelf, but diluting an alcohol allows the amount of required liquid at the potency that works the recipe’s ratios

      Reply
    • Christine says

      June 5, 2022 at 2:54 pm

      some people have stills and make their own spirits and are left with a very high alcohol, I get some off a friend and dilute it till it is the proof i want then use as off the shelf is so expensive here.

      Reply

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Hello there! I’m Colleen.

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