Elderberry

ELDERBERRY, Sambucus nigra

Family: Adoxaceae (moschatel)

Habitat: North America, Mexico, Central America

Flavor: Tart

Parts Used: Berries will be discussed in this blog; however, the flowers may be used both internally and externally, the leaves may be used externally.

How to Grow: Stratify the seeds before planting in full sun to partial shade with moist, rich, and well-drained soil of the pH around 5.5 to 6.5. Best grown in zones 3 through 10.

Method of Medicine: Infused honey, tea, syrup, tincture, poultice, compress, and vinegar.

Contraindications: Only consume cooked or dried ripe berries. If eaten fresh, they can induce vomiting.

Herbal Actions: Antiviral, Diaphoretic, Anticatarrhal, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Alterative, Anti-Inflammatory, Cardiovascular Tonic, Immune Stimulant, and Nervine.

Helps Heal:

• ·       Cold/Flu
• ·       Arthritic complaints
• ·       Allergies
• ·       Sinus infection
• ·       Works as an immune tonic for prevention, as well as an immune stimulant at the beginning stages of illness
• ·       Blood building and iron-rich for those with anemia
• ·       Prevents cardiovascular disease and cancer
• ·       Lowers cholesterol

Before I tried Elderberry as a medicine, I had seen it in many other forms: from Monty Python’s ingenious insult (Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberry!) to concentrated juice for drink mixes. It wasn’t until I studied it in my class that I learned its health benefits and became a true fan of this gorgeous little fruit.

My first true experience with using Elderberry as a medicine was a few days after compiling the syrup for homework. My throat was hurting, and I felt like I was coming down with something. This provided the perfect opportunity to test the new syrup out and see if it was all it was cracked up to be! Sure enough, one teaspoon and few bitter shivers later, my throat was coated, my chest was infused with the warmth of the alcohol, and my head was sleepy and begging for a pillow. After a short nap, I woke up feeling better, even energized!

Fast forward about six months, and I’m in Salt Lake with my boyfriend. Both of us have caught a bug and are laid out in bed, pretty miserable. The Elderberry syrup (along with Marshmallow tea—see my Marshmallow blog for details) provided a few hours’ respite from coughing, allowing us to get some much-needed rest. Its decongestant properties allowed us to breathe, and the warming effects of the alcohol was soothing to our tense, congested lungs.

Elderberry is a wonderful medicine; however, be cautious in using the fresh berries—actually, just avoid it. The fresh berries (as well as young leaves and flowers) contain cyanogenic glycosides, which—when consumed—can convert into cyanide in the system; therefore, the safest route to take when consuming Elder berries or flowers (do not consume the leaves) is to either dry or cook them first. These processes remove the dangerous toxins from the plant material. As always, do your own research on this plant based on your own body before consuming, and take in low doses when first trying it out.