American & Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra; Sambucus canadensis)
Elderberry is a fan favorite throughout the Winter months. A traditional remedy to aid influenza, colds & bronchitis. Sambucus is a deciduous shrub, native to the North America, Europe & parts of South America. Known as the "medicine chest of the people", almost every part of the Elder Tree has uses; from medicine to instruments to natural dyes. The Elder Tree is such an acknowledged plant that it is has spiritual folklore calling it "The Elder Tree Mother". Even today individuals that come to harvest the plant, first ask for permission to use its medicine.
Medicinally the flowers & fruits are most commonly used by herbalists & foragers. The bark, roots & leaves also have traditional uses but are only recommended for experienced herbalists. Elder Trees contain toxic a cyanogenic glycoside (sambunigrin) in varying amounts throughout the plant. These compounds can cause digestive upset - vomiting, nausea & diarrhea - & are neutralized by cooking or processing the berries. The flowers & berries have the lowest content of these glycosides but use caution while eating raw, ripe berries. However Elderberry is a nutritive, tonic herb with an abundance of bioflavonoids, anthocyanins & beta-carotenes. The ripe berries can be dried for teas, syrups & tinctures and cooked into tasty jams, infused honeys, wine & mead. The dainty, delicate blossoms have a gentle buttery flavor & can be baked into muffins, pancakes & bread. They also make a delicious cordial, tea, syrup, infused liquor or can be eaten raw on salads. The young shoots, leaves, bark & roots do have traditional use but are not edible & have much higher quantities of cyanogenic glycosides.
Elderflowers & Elderberries make a very safe & effective wellness aid for folks of all ages. Elderflowers are antiviral, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, astringent, diretic, diaphoretic & a gentle nervine. They are an amazing remedy for children's fevers & can support recovery of measles, colds, chicken pox & influenza. The flowers can alleviate stuffy noses, aches of the head & ear along with stimulating the immune system. Elderberries stimulate the immune system, are antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, nervine, cardiovascular tonic & a diaphoretic. Full of antioxidants & nutrient rich compounds, they make an ideal herb for wellness support. Great supplement to support recovery from colds, flus & other viruses. They also have an affinity for the respiratory system, aiding bronchitis & other respiratory infections.
We adore using Elderberries in a vary of our products; from teas, to tinctures to our Elderberry Syrup! They embark a tasty, fruity quality to our herbal medicine products & pack a great immune boosting punch! You can use Elderflowers & Elderberries daily to protect yourself from illnesses floating around or take when you are feeling under the weather to speed up recovery. Elderberry isn't too stimulating of an herb, so safe for long term use unlike other great immune boosting plants. A tasty way to sneak immune support for children & a safe aid for pregnant women! Keep in touch, we plan on offering identification & foraging trips in the future! Until then, get your Elderberry on this Winter!
Many Herbal Blessings.