Elderberry
- Nicole Dawson Cullinan
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
Everyone needs an elder in their midsts for support... and here is the elderberry!
I invite you to go on a plant safari with me... growing with the seasons and learning with plants ;)
My distress calls for guidance were answered when an elder grew out my wisteria!
I have tried planting one in my garden in the past but it died. Gardening is so humbling in that way… Proving over and over to me that some things you can’t control and that gardening requires knowledge and patience.
My self seeded elder is absolutely thriving and I have minimally harvested the blossoms for cordial and ‘hay fever tea’ so that we will have more berries later in the summer. Read my blog on Elderflowers here.
The latin name for this elder is Sambucus nigra but it is commonly known as “black elder”. This is a truely wise weed as it is both edible and medicinal. You can read all about these uses in my book Wild Summer.
elderberries for immunity
Think of using elderberries for acute upper respiratory illnesses that hit around season changes and after starting back at school and work. They have even been shown in a scientific study, to significantly reduce the duration and severity of colds in air travelers.
Elderberries can be especially supportive against the common cold and influenza. This is due to their antimicrobial activity against human respiratory bacterial pathogens (Gram-positive bacteria of Streptococcus pyogenes and group C and G Streptococci, and the Gram-negative bacterium Branhamella catarrhalis), and also displays an inhibitory effect on human influenza viruses according to other research.
some facts
Elderberries have the following medicinal properties: antioxidant , antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating, as well as antidepressant properties.
The ripe berries are dark violet drupes that grow in bountiful clusters. Their colour comes from Anthocyanins which are the blue-purple plant pigment and, a group of phenolic compounds including flavonoids. Elderberries also contain a variety of micronutrients including vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, B9, C and E), trace elements and minerals such as Cu, Zn, Fe, K, Ca and Mg and phytochemicals such as carotenoids, phytosterols and polyphenols.
medicinal forms
There are many medicinal forms available from Herbal tinctures, capsules, tablets, lozenges and Homeopathic remedies made from Sambucus Nigra to store bought and homemade syrups.
In Wild Summer you will find my recipe for elderberry ice lollies made from elderberry syrup. It is super easy to make from scratch and much cheaper than buying it ready made. So give it a try!
If you are lucky like me to have your own elder, you can pick your own fresh ripe berries. If you have wild elderberries growing in abundance in your green spaces and foraging is allowed, this is also a wonderful experience to harvest directly from the wild. But you can also buy the dried elderberries in healthfood stores and online to make your own syrup and teas etc.
meal ideas
Elderberries taste sweet, tart and floral. You can use them together with or in place of blueberries, blackberries and other fruits. Besides Elderberry syrup, if you are looking for meal ideas, you can use them to make baked goods like crumbles & pies, jams, chutneys, juice, wine, liqueurs, mocktails, as an ice cream drizzle and in ice lollies.
caution
Avoid eating unripe berries and fresh berries as they are toxic. Always remove stalks and cook elderberries before consumption.
I invite you to go on a plant safari with me... growing with the seasons and learning with plants ;)
books
Elderberry is featured in my book Wild Summer.
Click the link below for more info
Elderflower is featured in my book Wild Spring.
Download a sample here
From my wild heart to yours
nicole
#elder #elderberry #elderflower #elderflowercordial #elderberrysyrup #ethicalforaging #anthocyanins #culinaryherbalism #wiseweeds #plantsafari #wildspring #wildsummer #wildseasons
Disclaimers
Please note that the information in this blog is not intended to diagnose illnesses or replace the advice of a qualified health professional. It is intended as an introductory guide for my community and complementary info for the clients I work with. I can in no way be held responsible for any adverse effects and negative consequences that arise from ingesting wild plants or using medicinal products made from them, or for errors in plant identification and self -diagnosis. Please seek help if you are concerned about your health.
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