How to Make Sambucol

Sambucol is a commercial preparation described as an extract of the fruit of the black elderberry. It is touted to be effective against H5N1 avian flu and to have antiviral properties. The black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is common in Europe and can be cultivated in the United States. A subspecies called the American or common elderberry (Sambucus nigra canadensis) grows wild in the US, but its berries can sometimes cause nausea. An extract is a concentration of the active part of an animal or vegetable drug into a liquid, solid or powder. Sambucol claims to use a special proprietary method of extraction, but similar homemade preparations of this useful fruit have been used as home remedies for centuries.

Things You'll Need

• Dried black elderberries (Sambucus nigra)
• Water
• Grain alcohol (or vodka, brandy or white rum)
• Sweetener (table sugar, honey or white corn syrup)
• Jelly bag or cheesecloth
• Jars or bottles

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Instructions

Infusion

• 1

  Prepare an elderberry infusion by steeping the dried berries in boiling water, like making tea.

• 2

  Place half a cup of dried elderberries in a saucepan.

• 3

  Cover with one and a half cups of water.

• 4

  Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes.

• 5

  Mash the berries and strain through the jelly bag or cheesecloth, squeezing the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible.

• 6

  Cool, bottle and refrigerate.

Syrup

• 7

  Prepare elderberry syrup by adding a sweetener to the infusion that also thickens it slightly.

• 8

  Put the elderberry infusion in a saucepan.

• 9

  Add half a cup of sweetener.

• 10

  Bring to a boil while stirring and remove immediately from the heat.

• 11

  Cool, bottle and refrigerate. As this is a homemade remedy and not subject to laboratory analysis, the amount of active ingredients may vary, so the dosage is variable. For children or adults, 1 tsp. a day as a preventive and 1 tsp. every 3 hours while awake for cold or flu is suggested.

Tincture

• 12

  Prepare a tincture of elderberry by marinating the dried berries in alcohol.

• 13

  Place one and a half cups of dried elderberries in a clean quart jar with a screw-on lid.

• 14

  Fill the jar with the alcohol solvent of your choice (grain alcohol or unflavored vodka would be best, because they have no taste, but brandy will do if you like it).

• 15

  Screw the cap on tightly and store in a cool, dark place. Dispense to adults only at the same dose as the syrup, or as much as the patient thinks (s)he can handle.

Elder Flowers

• 16

  Make an infusion of the flower clusters of the elderberry to clean the skin, soothe a sunburn and fade freckles.

• 17

  Steep them in oil and use it to massage sore muscles.

• 18

  Dip them in a light fritter batter and fry for a delicate dessert.

• 19

  Boil them in vinegar to make a black hair dye.