Herbs of the Field - Elderberry

Herb - Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra)

Elderberry, Common Elder or Elderflower Tree is a commonly known herb Smbucus nigra. It is a large shrub or small tree of the Viburnaceae family. Name is derived from the word for fire, because the elderberry tree was known for its usage of the stems as tinder to start fires. Elderberry is high in vitamin C, dietary fiber, phenolic acids, flavonoid, and anthocyanin. Elderberries are high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, aids for heart health, decreases cholesterol, fights harmful bacteria, supports the immune system, and helps to fight cancer.

Traditionally, indigenous people have used Elderberry for the treatment of fever and rheumatism. It was known to the ancient Egyptians for usage on skin and for burns. Today, Elderberry has been approved for the treatment of colds and flu. The flowers and leaves have been used as pain relievers, reduce swelling and inflammation, stimulate urine and induce sweating. The barks is used as a diuretic, a laxative, or to induce vomiting. Fold medicine states Elderberry is useful for treating infections, sciatica, headaches, dental pain, heart pain, and nerve pain. Lastly, berries can be cooked to make juice, jams, chutneys, and pies, whereas, the  flowers can be boiled to make syrup or infused in teas.

Identification - Elderberry plants have compound flowers, creamy white spring to summer, turning yellow in the fall, giving way to a small, black, berry fruit. Extremely easy to propagate and resistant to pests. Plant grows up to 30 feet tall. Berries are either small black or bluish black bunches.

Harvesting - Elderberry shrubs bloom summer from June to August, berries follow. Most berries ripen August to September. Berries need to be fully ripe when harvested. Cut entire clusters with pruning shears, just below the base of the fruits. Collect clusters into a basket or  bucket. Remove berries from stems. To harvest flowers, collect them when full bloom, but if harvesting flowers you will not have berries.

Usage - Common usage of stems: skewers, mathematical instruments and toys and valued medicinally. Cook to consume. Dry or Infuse. Cook berries to make syrups, tinctures, gummies, or cough drops. Berries can be decocted for tea or infused in honey.

Cautions - Taken raw, berries, bark and leaves are known to be poisonous and cause stomach problems.