Elderberry tincture, an age-old remedy cherished for its immune-boosting properties, is a valuable addition to your herbal medicine cabinet. Making your own elderberry tincture allows you to harness the power of this potent botanical and customize it to your preferences. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of creating your elderberry tincture using elderberries and Everclear, ensuring you get the most out of this natural wonder.
As with any practice, there is more than one path forward. This is one of many ways to create a tincture. In the world of herbalism, there are countless paths to explore, each offering its own wisdom and magic. Remember that your journey is a personal one, and the tincture you create is a reflection of your connection with nature and your own healing journey.
Creating your own elderberry tincture is not just a practical way to harness the healing power of nature; it can also be a deeply spiritual and holistic practice. By infusing your tincture-making process with the energy of Reiki or aligning it with the phases of the moon, you can amplify the tincture’s healing properties and imbue it with intention.
Reiki and Elderberry Tincture: A Synergistic Blend
Incorporating Reiki into the tincture-making process can enhance its vibrational frequency and create a healing elixir that not only addresses physical ailments but also balances the subtle energies of the body. Learn more about Reiki here: Reiki Energy Healing. Here’s how you can infuse Reiki energy into your elderberry tincture:
Prepare Your Space:
Begin by creating a sacred and peaceful environment for your tincture-making process. Clear the space of any distractions and negative energies. Light candles, play soothing music, and set your intention for healing and well-being.
Connect with Reiki Energy:
Before you start working with the elderberries and alcohol, take a moment to connect with the Reiki energy. You can do this through a short meditation or by drawing Reiki symbols over your hands. Imagine the healing energy flowing through you and into the ingredients.
Align with the Moon Phase:
To align with the moon’s energy, you may want to create your elderberry tincture during the waxing gibbous phase. This lunar phase is associated with growth, abundance, and empowerment. It’s an ideal time to infuse your tincture with intentions of vitality, health, and wellness.
Imbue with Intention:
Hold the elderberries in your hands and infuse them with your intention for healing and protection. Visualize them absorbing the Reiki energy, becoming vibrant with healing light.
Mix with Mindful Intent:
As you mix the elderberries and alcohol, do so mindfully, focusing on your intention and the healing properties of the ingredients. Imagine the Reiki energy enhancing the tincture’s potency.
Moonlight Infusion:
Place your glass jar filled with elderberries and alcohol under the waxing gibbous moonlight. Allow it to soak up the moon’s energy for a night, enhancing the tincture’s vibrational frequency.
Daily Reiki Blessings:
During the steeping period, offer Reiki blessings to your tincture daily. Place your hands over the jar and channel healing energy into it, reinforcing your intention.
Strain and Bottle with Gratitude:
When it’s time to strain and bottle your tincture, do so with a sense of gratitude and reverence. Acknowledge the sacredness of the process and the energies that have been infused.
Set Your Tincture’s Purpose:
Before storing your tincture, set a specific purpose or intention for its use. Whether it’s immune support, healing, or protection, be clear about the tincture’s purpose.
Regular Reiki Charging:
To maintain the tincture’s energy, periodically offer Reiki blessings to the bottles. Hold them in your hands and visualize the Reiki symbols infusing the tincture with healing light.
Creating your own elderberry tincture with Reiki energy and lunar alignment adds a spiritual dimension to the process. It transforms your tincture into more than just a remedy; it becomes a holistic elixir that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit. Enjoy the benefits of this vibrational medicine and embrace the holistic journey of wellness.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra)
- High-proof alcohol (Everclear or vodka)
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary equipment:
- Glass jar with a tight-sealing lid
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Glass amber tincture bottles with dropper caps
- A kitchen scale
- Measuring cups
- Labels for your bottles
Step 2: Determine the Desired Ratio
The ratio of elderberries to alcohol, known as the “menstruum,” plays a crucial role in the potency of your tincture. Common ratios are 1:2, 1:3, or 1:5. The first number represents the amount of plant matter (elderberries), while the second number represents the amount of alcohol.
For example, a 1:3 tincture means you’ll use one part elderberries to three parts alcohol. If you’re new to tincture-making, a 1:3 ratio is a good place to start.
Step 3: Measure Your Ingredients
To determine how much elderberry and alcohol you need for your desired ratio, you’ll need to calculate it based on the volume of your jar.
Let’s use a 1:3 ratio as an example:
- Measure the volume of your glass jar (in ml). Let’s say it’s 300 ml.
- Divide this volume by the sum of the two numbers in your ratio (1 + 3 = 4). In this case, 300 ml ÷ 4 = 75 ml.
- This means you’ll need 75 ml of elderberries and 225 ml of alcohol (Everclear).
Step 4: Prepare the Elderberries
Measure out the required amount of dried elderberries (75 ml in our example) using your kitchen scale. Place them into your glass jar.
Step 5: Dilute the Alcohol
Since Everclear is typically 95% alcohol (190 proof), you’ll need to dilute it to achieve your desired alcohol content. For our 1:3 tincture example, you’ll use 225 ml of alcohol.
To dilute the alcohol to your desired ratio, mix 90 ml of Everclear with 135 ml of distilled water. This results in 225 ml of 60% alcohol, which matches the 1:3 ratio.
Step 6: Combine the Ingredients
Pour your diluted alcohol over the elderberries in the glass jar. Ensure that all the plant material is fully submerged.
Step 7: Seal and Shake
Tightly seal the jar and give it a good shake to ensure thorough mixing.
Step 8: Steep and Shake Daily
Store the jar in a cool, dark place for about 4-6 weeks, shaking it daily to agitate the mixture.
Step 9: Strain and Bottle
After the steeping period, strain the tincture using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean glass container. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the elderberries.
Step 10: Bottle and Label
Transfer your elderberry tincture into amber glass tincture bottles with dropper caps. Label each bottle with the tincture’s name, creation date, and alcohol percentage.
Step 11: Dosage and Storage
To use your elderberry tincture, take a small dropperful (usually 1-2 ml) as needed to support your immune system during cold and flu season. Store your tincture in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
Crafting your own elderberry tincture is a rewarding process that allows you to connect with the healing power of nature. Experiment with different ratios and variations to find the perfect elderberry tincture that suits your wellness needs. Enjoy the benefits of this natural remedy and empower yourself with the art of herbal medicine-making.