Elderberry Elixir is a product inspired by the native Idaho shrub that has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, my family would head out on seasonal foraging excursions. Spring brought morel mushrooms, summer days were filled with sun-warmed huckleberries, and in late fall—just after the first hard frost—we’d comb the forest for purple-black clusters of elderberries. These mouth-puckeringly tart little berries are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them an invaluable immune-boosting staple in any herbal medicine cabinet.
I grew up helping my mother make elderberry tincture and syrup to treat those inevitable winter colds, and carried the practice into adulthood. Eventually, I introduced the Vitamin C packed wild rosehip to my tincture formula for added immune support, which is now a part of the ANTHEA Wellness line.
For years, I have wanted to put the healing properties of elderberries to work for the skin. Elderberries contain high concentrations of Vitamins A (a retinoid), B6 (great for treating inflammation and redness) and C (promotes the synthesis of collagen), pantothenic acid (a form of Vitamin B particularly suited to hydrating and soothing skin), and they are loaded with beneficial minerals and antioxidants. In other words, elderberries are not just immune system superheroes—they are tremendously good for our skin too.
I began tinkering with topical elderberry formulas in 2015. I tried creating a mask from mashed berries, used the juice in a night cream and later a toner, and eventually landed on a serum as my preferred way of delivering the benefits of these berries to the skin. I chose a serum—which is essentially a water or oil-based fluid containing a high concentration of active ingredients—because they are elegantly simple and effective, allowing their star ingredients to shine.
ANTHEA’s new Elderberry Elixir is a water-based serum containing the juice of wild harvested elderberries, organic aloe vera juice for its soothing properties and hyaluronic acid, which is one of the most effective moisture-boosters found in nature. It’s produced by our bodies to help lubricate our skin and connective tissue, but as we age our bodies become less efficient at producing it.
I chose to pair hyaluronic acid with elderberry because the berries contain such high concentrations of vitamins and minerals that the juice can tend to be a little astringent. When paired together, they work in harmony to improve skin texture and tone while also providing a deep hydration boost. Elderberry Elixir contains large molecule hyaluronic acid, which binds to moisture and sits on the surface of the skin, resulting in a lovely plumping, dewy effect.
As with all ANTHEA formulas, the essential oil profile of Elderberry Elixir is not just aromatherapeutic—it’s also a key component of the serum’s skin benefits. I chose lavender for its soothing and calming qualities, bergamot for its toning and anti-inflammatory properties, and fresh ginger for its ability to stimulate and rejuvenate the skin.
The combination of elderberry juice, aloe, hyaluronic acid and essential oils makes for a gentle, soothing and highly effective serum that reduces the appearance of sun spots, scars and fine lines, helps repair damaged skin, and provides a serious hydration boost. I am thrilled with how the Elderberry Elixir formula came together, and honored to offer it to you!
Bloom,
Anna Demetriades,
Botanical Alchemist
