Elderberrry - Sambucus Nigra & Sambucus Canadensis

Elderberry shrubs grow wild in many climates and are commonly found in Minnesota where our family lives.  The variety native to the US is the Sambucus Canadensis.  Elderberry shrubs with Europe origins are Sambucus Nigra. According to herbalist, Matthew Wood, both varieties can used interchangeably.

Clusters of elderberry flowers.

You may have notice shrubs in ditches or wet land areas sporting beautiful clusters of flowers in early to midsummer.  Although elderberry bushes have been growing in my backyard for over 20 years, it was just within the last 5 years that I learned to identify the plant and take advantage of its wonderful medicinal properties.


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Both the flowers and the berries of the elder can be used medicinally.

Leaves of the elderberry bush.

Finding Elderberry Flowers and Berries

You will often find elder growing among other shrubs at the edge of a swamp or wet land or even in the woods.  Because birds love the berries they eat them and, when they have made their way through the bird's digestive system, they are "planted" along with dollop of organic fertilizer (bird poop).  So you will find elderberry bushes sprouting up in new areas on a regular basis.

Flowering elderberry tucked in between other wild trees and shrubs.

Elder stays tucked away unnoticed until the big showy blossoms appear in early summer.  This is an excellent time to take a walk in the woods and wet lands in your area to learn where to find elderberries.

The easiest way to enjoy the benefits of elder is to harvest the flowers by breaking off or cutting off the stem and collecting the whole cluster (umbel). You can almost always find the flowers, but have to compete with birds to get the berries in the fall. 

Processing your Elderflower Harvest 

Pick flower heads when the flowers are open and at their peak.  Set them outside in the shade for a bit so the insects who have made the flowers their home can fly or crawl away.

Elderflowers can be preserved in a variety of ways;

Fresh

• Make a tincture by infusing fresh flowers (stems removed) in 100 proof vodka for at least 6 weeks.  For detailed instructions check out this post; Herbal Tincture Making Basics

• Elderflower cordial can be made by infusing fresh flowers in a sugar water and lemon juice syrup. 

Dried 

Bind the ends of several clusters together with a rubber band and hang the bunch upside down in a spot that is well ventilated and out of direct sunlight.

When flowers have completely dried, remove the stems and place blossoms in a glass canning jar, remove the air and seal (with a vacuum sealer) and store in a cool dark place.

Dried elder flowers sealed in a glass canning jar.

Dried flowers can be used a number of ways;

• Make a tea by infusing the flowers in boiling water.  Put flowers in a canning jar, add boiling water, cover, and allow to steep anywhere from 5 minutes to overnight (as time allows).  The longer the tea steeps the more potent it will become.

• Infuse dried flowers in organic olive oil.  Instructions are here.

Green berries.

For the past 5 years the birds have always eaten the berries before they were ripe enough to harvest, so this year I placed bird netting over a few bushes.

Ripening berries protected by bird netting.

I also found some bushes with berries hanging under the leaves and protected from our feathered friends.

Harvested berries.

Processing Your Berry Harvest

After you have picked the ripe berries they will need to be removed from the stems, which can be a tedious job.  The stems contain compounds that can be harmful in consumed in large enough quantities.  Here are a few suggestions for speeding up the process;

Hold the stems in one hand and a fork in the other and "comb" the berries off the stems.

Freeze the berries and they will release from the stems with less effort.

Remove most of the stems, then use a juicer to extract the juice Juicing Elderberries.

Elderberry juice can be used to make elderberry syrup.  Read this post for recipes; Elderberry Syrup

Use a fork to remove berries from the stems.

You can also make a tincture from the fresh berries.  For instructions check out Herbal Tincture Making Basics

Berries can be also be dried, by simply placing them single layer on a plate and setting them in a well ventilated spot out of direct sunlight.  When they are dried they can be store in a sealed canning jar in a cool dark room.  Dried berries can be boiled in water, then strained to make elderberry juice, extracted in 100 proof vodka to make a tincture, or steeped in hot water with other herbs and used as a medicinal tea.

Eating raw berries can cause nausea in some people, so if you use your berries fresh, but sure to cook them first.

Medicinal Properties

The flowers and berries of the elder are both highly recommended for use during the cold and flu season, but have other applications as well.

Flowers

Elder flowers can be made into a tea and used at the first sign of a cold or flu. Their antiviral activity can help shorten the duration of the illness.  

Dried elder flowers with a leaf.

The diaphoretic properties of elderflowers are especially helpful for high fevers as they help to open the pores so heat can be released through the skin.  This results in toxins and impurities being eliminated from the body.  Some people use the expression, "sweating out a cold".

The cooled tea can be used as a skin wash to soften and rejuvenate the skin, soothing skin eruptions and swelling.  The infused tea can also be added to oils to create a lotion for the skin. The lotion can be used to soothe chapped hands and lips.

Elderflowers can be infused in oil and used to treat ear infections.


Berries

Elderberries have the ability to prevent colds, flu, and upper respiratory infection and shorten the duration by inhibiting the ability of bacteria and viruses to replicate.  Elderberries have been shown to help prevent herpes break outs.

The flavonoid rich berries stimulate the immune system and are anti-inflammatory in nature and have been used to strengthen the eyes as well as decrease arthritic pain.

Check out herbalpedia more in depth information about elder.

Please note: The objective of this blog is to raise awareness of alternative ways to achieve wellness and to empower you to take an active role in your health decisions.  To accomplish this, you will need to explore these subjects in greater depth and then determine what makes sense for your life.  My hope is that this information will inspire you to start your own search into ways to make your life happier, healthier and more fulfilling.