This Winter season I want to introduce to you…and give you SAFE herbal education on ELDERBERRIES…a very potent and revered herb…known for its immune boosting properties…and a powerful herbal medicine in the Winter season for Winter illness such as colds…flu etc. plus Elderberries taste incredible…and makes the medicine go down easier!!!

There are not many medicinal recipes for Elderberries…but I have included an Elderberry Syrup for cold and flu…and how to make a cup of medicinal Elderberry tea.

ELDERBERRIES (Sambucus nigra)

***CAUTION PLEASE READ SEVERAL TIMES TO COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND

*** PREGNANT WOMEN OR WOMEN NURSING THEIR BABY SHOULD NOT CONSUME ELDERBERRIES

***YOUNG CHILDREN OR THOSE WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE SHOULD NOT CONSUME ELDERBERRIES AS ELDERBERRIES CAN OVERSTIMULATE IMMUNE SYSTEM

***AS WITH ANY HERB OR HERBAL SUPPLEMENT PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR NURSING A BABY

Elderberries eaten raw…this includes the berries…stems… roots…bark…and flowers are POISONOUS EATEN RAW…because they contain cyanogenic glycoside…which causes nausea…vomiting and serve diarrhea. ONLY INGEST THROUGHLY COOKED ELDBERRIES…the cooking process thoroughly REMOVES toxins from raw Elderberries.

Elderberries have been used by virtually every human culture and cultivated since around 2000 B.C.E. Historically…Elderberries were known as “the medicine chest of the country people.” Elderberries contain high amounts of Vitamin C…A and B…carotenoids…flavonoids and quercetin. Elderberries are antioxidant…diaphoretic…immune boosting…diuretic…anti-inflammatory…antiviral and a nervine.

Elderberries grow on a shrub or small tree like shrub….that can reach 6-20 feet tall. The leaves…bark…flowers and Elderberries themselves are all used…making Elderberries an important and honored plant. There are 3 varieties of Elderberries…American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)…Blue Elderberry (Sambucus cenulcea)…and European Elderberry (Sambucus nigra.)

Elderberries are used for colds…flu…bacterial infections…viral infections…bronchitis and to reduce inflammation in the urinary tract…Elderberry is a known and trusted immune booster.

Elderberries can be used to make teas…tinctures…vinegars…cough elixirs…syrups…wines…pies…and jam.

ANCIENT USES OF ELDERBERRIES
Elderberries are loaded with medicinal properties…and the berries…flowers…leaves and bark have all been used medicinally for thousands of years.

The celebrated Greek physician Dioscorides (40-90CE) wrote in text De Materia Medica about Elderberries…that included remedies for boiling the leaves and stems to purge phlegm and bile…treat burns and dog bites.

In ancient times the inner bark from the young Elder trees was collected and used for a variety of ailments. The bark is a very strong purgative and in high doses can cause vomiting and increased urination. Hippocrates used the bark infused in a pint of water to rid bodies of toxins for this very reason…it induces waste to leave the body…with vomiting etc.

The leaves of the Elder tree were harvested in early Summer and dried for use in ointments and then applied for sprains…bruises and other wounds.
Native Americans used Elderberry to heal the body…mind…and spirit through medicine…foods…beverages…making baskets from leaves and bark…inks…dyes…body paint…and also insecticides and fish poisons.

The Romans created hair dye from the dark juice of Elderberries…by boiling the berries in wine to make the hair black.

FOLKLORE AND SUPERSITIONS ABOUT ELDERBERRIES
The Elder tree or Elder shrub…has long been associated with magic and mystery. Much of these associations go back before Roman times…the Celts…Anglo-Saxons and Vikings were knowledgeable about the medicinal uses of the Elder tree and of Elderberries. It is known to have been used as food by the Neolithic people and used for medicine by the Ancient Egyptians.

In Denmark…it was thought that a dryad lived in the Elder tree and watched over it. She was known as the Hylde-Moer…or Elder tree Mother and if anyone cut down the Elder shrub or tree she would follow the Elder wood…which was her property and haunt the owners of whatever they made or used the Elder tree wood for. Putting a child in a cradle made of Elder wood was very… very…bad luck.

Not all ancient folks viewed Elder with suspicion. Early folklore says the Elder tree or shrub gave protection from bad spirits…and it was thought that the Elder could break a fever if used in a spell. In England it was believed that if a twig from an Elder tree or shrub was tied with 3 or 4 knots…it would act as a charm to drive away rheumatism. The Elder tree or shrub…and Elderberries were treated with respect…as its uses and medicinal purposes were highly valued.

ELDERBERRY SYRUP
Makes 32 servings
Elderberry syrup is a must have in the cold and flu season…and this Elderberry syrup recipe is easy and safe to use…because the Elderberries are thoroughly cooked.
4 cups water
1 cup dried Elderberries
1 one-inch knob of fresh Ginger
1 four-inch cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon whole Cloves
1 cup quality honey (not plastic bear honey)

In a medium size pot…add 4 cups water…Elderberries…Ginger…Cinnamon…and cloves. Bring mixture to a boil…over medium-high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Simmer gently for 40 minutes or until the mixture is reduced by about half.

Take off heat…and allow the cooked mixture to cool to room temperature . Strain mixture into jars or bottles with airtight lids. Keep stored in the fridge for up to 2 months. Take 1 teaspoon each morning and evening when you feel a cold…sore throat or flu coming on…and up to 2 teaspoons during the duration of illness.

***DO NOT CONSUME ELDERBERRIES IF YOU ARE PREGNANT…NURSING A BABY…DO NOT GIVE TO CHILDREN OR IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE OF ANY KIND

ELDERBERRY TEA
Makes 2 cups
A really yummy cup of immune boosting Elderberry tea
2 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons dried Elderberries
½ teaspoon ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
Honey to taste

Place water…dried Elderberries…Turmeric power…and Cinnamon into a saucepan…bring to a boil…reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. The lengthy brewing time allows the beneficial properties of the Elderberries to be released and reduces any bitterness of Turmeric.

Remove from heat and allow to cool for a bit. Strain out through a wire mesh strainer and pour into cups…add honey to taste…sip slowly and enjoy this immune boosting herbal tea.

CULINARY ELDERBERRY RECIPES
Anything with Elderberries is going to be really yummy…so I encourage you to try these easy Elderberry recipes

ELDERBERRY VINEGAR
Vinegars are a great way to use herbs…and Elderberry vinegar makes an exceptional vinegar to use in meat marinades…salads…drizzle over veggies.
Makes 2 cups
2 cups Elderberries
1 ½ tablespoons sugar or honey
2 cups white wine vinegar
2 clean and dry bottles with lids

Mix the Elderberries and sugar or honey in a pan over medium heat. Mash the Elderberries and stir to help blend the sugar into the berries. Bring to a boil…and immediately remove from heat and let cool down. Once completely cooled…mix the Elderberries with the vinegar and cover and let sit for 3-5 days in a cool…dark place to steep. Strain with wire mesh strainer into another clean…dry bottle or lid that you can easily pour out the Elderberry vinegar. This Elderberry vinegar can be stored and used for up to 2 years.

ELDERBERRY FOOL
This recipe dates back to medieval times…and was originally a custard type dessert…so when you make and eat it…you will be eating a piece of medieval culinary history. Modern recipes for this Elderberry Fool use whipped cream instead of the custard.

2 cups heavy cream
1-2 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup Elderberries
Grated zest of 1 lemon

Combine cream…sugar… and salt…and whip until cream holds peaks. Gently fold in ½ cup of Elderberry compote or cooked Elderberries…creating a pretty effect in the cream…but being careful to make sure the whipped cream stays firm. Divide among 4-5 bowls or glasses and top with lemon zest. A very yummy and easy dessert.

ELDERBERRY MUFFINS
Makes 6
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour…divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup sugar
½ cup melted butter
¾ cup buttermilk or 1 cup sour cream…room temperature
2 large eggs…room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen Elderberries

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour standard 12-cup muffin pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl…whisk together 2 ¼ cups of the flour…baking soda…salt and sugar. Add the melted butter…buttermilk…eggs and vanilla. Whisk until the batter is just combined and there are no longer and dry areas in batter.

Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pan…filling about 2/3 way full. Bake the muffins for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and baked through the middle. Use a toothpick to test for doneness. Take out of oven and let the muffins cool a bit in the pan before taking them out of the muffin pan. To store muffins…keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to about 4-5 days…if they are not all eaten up!

Create An Herbal Life…

Victoria Clinical Herbalist