Cold & Flu Sickness Tincture

This gentle, family-friendly sickness tincture is crafted with elderberries, echinacea root, nettle, chamomile, and lemon balm, all extracted in a sweet base of vegetable glycerin. Unlike alcohol-based tinctures, this glycerite is safe for children and sweet tasting.

• Elderberries boost immune defenses and help the body fight colds and flu.
• Echinacea root supports immune response and shortens illness duration.
• Nettle leaf provides minerals and supports seasonal allergy relief.
• Chamomile soothes restlessness, fevers, and upset stomachs.
• Lemon balm calms nerves, aids sleep, and eases viral infections.

The combination makes this tincture a powerful yet gentle ally for both prevention and recovery, offering natural immune support without alcohol or harsh flavors.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup dried elderberries
• ½ cup echinacea root (chopped or shredded)
• ¼ cup dried nettle leaf
• ¼ cup dried chamomile flowers
• ¼ cup dried lemon balm
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup vegetable glycerin (food-grade)
• 2 amber bottles (4 ounce each)

Note: I purchase majority of my herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs. I am not affiliated with their company, but believe their products are very high quality, organic, and worth investing in. They offer herbs in powder and chopped (loose / dried) form, for tinctures, it is easier to strain chopped or loose herbs than powders.

Instructions

1. Combine herbs & water
   In a saucepan or small Dutch oven, add the 1 cup elderberries and 1/2 cup echinacea root with 2 cups of water.
2. Simmer gently
   Bring to a low simmer and cook for 20 minutes, uncovered. This extracts the benefits from the berries and echinacea root. If you notice the herbs begin to burn or lose too much water, add an additional half cup.
3. Add additional herbs
   Add 1/4 cup nettle leaf, 1/4 cup chamomile flowers, and 1/4 cup lemon balm to your mixture. Simmer the tincture for an additional 15 minutes.
4. Cool slightly
   Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool until just warm (not hot).
5. Strain
   Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a glass measuring cup, pressing the herbs well to extract all liquid. You should end up with roughly 1/2 cup of liquid.
6. Add glycerin
   Stir in 1 cup of vegetable glycerin until fully blended. This sweetens and preserves the tincture.
7. Bottle
   Pour into sterilized glass dropper bottles or a clean jar with a tight lid. Use an amber or dark bottle if possible. Label with name and date. Store for 6-12 months.

Dosage (general guidelines)

Take once daily for prevention OR 2-3 times daily during sickness (flu, cold, immune stress)

• Adults: 1–2 teaspoons
• Toddlers (2–4 yrs): ½ teaspoon
• Young children (5–8 yrs): ½–1 teaspoon
• Older children (9–12 yrs): 1 teaspoon
• Teens (13+ yrs): 1–1½ teaspoons as needed (close to adult dose)