Using Elderberry for the Winter Months

🌿 A Winter Tradition

Every fall, as the air starts to cool and the leaves begin to change, I find myself reaching for one plant again and again — the elderberry.

Elder (Sambucus nigra or Sambucus canadensis) has long been a part of seasonal traditions, especially through the colder months. Our great-grandparents likely didn’t think of it as trendy or exotic; it was simply one of the household staples they turned to when the weather changed.

There’s something comforting about that kind of old-school wisdom — a plant that bridges the gap between nourishment and simple home care. Elderberry has that special place for me, too. Each year I make time to gather berries from my bushes, or order dried ones if I missed the harvest, and prepare a few batches of syrup, tincture, and other elder-based creations to keep on hand for my family.

🍵 Getting to Know Elderberry

Elderberries grow on small trees or large shrubs that produce clusters of dark purple berries in late summer. Here in Western Colorado we have Red Elderberry, Sambucus racemosa growing wild which are toxic and should never be consumed. You may also see white or cream-colored blossoms earlier in the year — those are Elderflowers, another part of the plant used in traditional herbal practices.

While the berries must always be cooked before use, elder has a long history of being crafted into syrups, teas, cordials, and vinegars.

Traditionally, elderberries have been valued for:

• Their rich flavor and natural sweetness (making them perfect for syrups)

• Their deep purple color, indicating the presence of beneficial plant compounds

• Their role in seasonal herbal tonics for the colder months

What I love most about elder is how approachable it is — easy to work with, easy to find, and full of personality.

🌸 Gathering and Preparing Elderberries

If you’re lucky enough to have elder growing near you, harvest the berries when they’re a deep, almost black purple. Always make sure you have correctly identified the plant — there are several look-alikes that can be confusing for beginners.

A few harvesting tips:

• Use pruning shears to snip entire clusters of ripe berries.

• Spread them out to dry or freeze them for later use.

• Always cook or dry elderberries before using them in recipes. Raw berries can be hard on digestion.

If you don’t have access to fresh berries, dried elderberries are easy to find from reputable herb suppliers and work beautifully in most recipes.

🍇 Crafting with Elderberry

There are so many simple ways to enjoy elderberry through the winter season. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Elderberry Syrup (Classic and Simple)

A homemade syrup is one of the most beloved ways to use elderberries. It’s delicious on pancakes, stirred into sparkling water, or drizzled over yogurt.

Basic Elderberry Syrup Recipe:

• 1 cup dried elderberries (or 2 cups fresh)

• 4 cups water

• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

• 3–4 whole cloves (optional)

• 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced (optional)

• 1 cup honey (or to taste)

Instructions:

1. Combine berries, water, and spices in a saucepan.

2. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat and cook until the liquid has reduced by about half (30–40 minutes).

3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible.

4. Let cool slightly, then stir in honey.

5. Store in the refrigerator in a clean glass jar for up to 2 months.

The result is a beautifully rich, dark syrup — naturally sweet, a little tart, and perfect for everyday use during the colder months.

2. Elderberry Vinegar

This is one of my favorite ways to preserve the flavor and benefits of elderberries without using sugar.

To make:Fill a clean jar halfway with dried or lightly crushed elderberries. Cover with apple cider vinegar, ensuring all berries are submerged. Cap with a plastic lid or line a metal lid with parchment paper. Let steep for 2–4 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain and bottle.

Elderberry vinegar is delicious splashed into sparkling water, added to salad dressings, or used as a base for a herbal “fire cider” style tonic.

3. Elderberry Tea

Perfect for cozy evenings. Simply simmer 1 tablespoon of dried berries in 2 cups of water for about 20 minutes, then strain. Add honey or lemon if you like.

It’s rich, comforting, and naturally full of the deep purple color that makes elder so distinctive.

🌿 Pairing Elderberry with Other Herbs

Elder pairs beautifully with other seasonal herbs that help support balance during the winter months. Some of my favorite companions include:

• Ginger – adds warmth and flavor

• Cinnamon – a comforting, aromatic spice

• Rose hips – for a touch of tartness and natural vitamin C

• Echinacea – often used in traditional winter blends

• Lemon balm – for a gentle, uplifting note

Experiment and find the blends that speak to you — herbal crafting is as much about intuition as it is about recipes.

🍂 Old School Wisdom

Part of what I love most about working with herbs like elderberry is how it connects us to the past.

Generations before us used what they had — berries from the hedgerow, flowers from the garden, roots from the field. They didn’t need fancy formulas or imported ingredients; they relied on observation, tradition, and the steady rhythm of the seasons.

That’s what The Herbal Schoolhouse is all about: slowing down, noticing what’s growing around you, and using that knowledge to create something useful and nourishing.

Elderberry reminds me that herbal learning doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just about paying attention to what nature is offering, right when you need it most.

🌸 Learning and Living with the Seasons

If you’re new to learning herbalism, elderberry is a wonderful plant to start with. It teaches so many valuable lessons: seasonal timing, safe preparation, simple preservation, and the joy of crafting something meaningful with your own hands.

Start by making one small batch of syrup or tea this winter. Notice how it feels to work with the berries, smell the steam, and taste the finished result. That sensory experience — not perfection — is what roots herbal skills deeply.

🌿 Bringing It All Together

As the days get shorter and the chill settles in, having a few homemade herbal preparations on hand brings comfort and connection. Elderberry, in all its deep purple richness, feels like a little piece of the summer sun saved for winter.

Whether you grow your own, gather locally, or buy dried berries, I hope this post inspires you to spend a little time crafting with this classic plant.

Because at the heart of every herbal project is something simple and profound — the reminder that we can care for ourselves and our families in mindful, meaningful ways, guided by the wisdom of nature.

Thanks for joining me here at The Herbal Schoolhouse — where herbal skills take root. 🌼