Elder

Oh the elder plant. What can I say about it that you haven’t already heard? It’s truly a wonderful ally to have on hand for a myriad of reasons. While the elderberry is by far the most used part of the plant, the flower can also be used. Traditionally the entire plant was used including the bark and leaf. I personally use the leaf in one of my salves to help heal bruises, but I don’t believe this is done very often. And it’s too bad because it’s a powerful healer.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is important that you do thorough research from multiple reliable sources before using herbs. While herbs are generally considered very safe there are exceptions. This is by no means a complete monograph of this particular herb. My intent is to peak your interest enough to begin a lifelong journey using herbs. 

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Botanical Name

Sambucus nigra

Family

Adoxaceae

Parts Used

Berries, flowers, leaves (external use only)

Plant Properties

Berries: antiviral, antioxidant, immunostimulant, antiinflammatory

Flowers: antiviral, nervine, antioxidant, diaphoretic (relaxing), 

Energetics

Cooling and drying

Preparations Used

Berries: tea, tincture, syrup, elixir

Flowers: tea, tincture, infused oil, hydrosol, salve, syrup

Leaves: salve

Uses For

The antiviral property found in elderberries is extremely beneficial in preventing and shortening the duration of the common flu. Symptoms such as fevers, chills, sore throats, muscle aches and fatigue all can be healed quicker if elderberry syrup is taken at the first sign of the flu. Elderberries have even shown to prevent more strains of the flu than the flu vaccine. Possibly even H1N1. 

The anthocyanins (a flavonoid) are responsible for the anti-inflammatory property of elderberries. They also promote the production of cytokines which are proteins that help to normalize the immune system. Sinusitis can be eased by the anti-inflammatory property as well. 

Elderberries have the ability to help with respiratory tract infections and stop the spread of viral conditions throughout the respiratory system. In some cases it has helped with asthma. 

Elderberries are high in vitamins A and C both of which are beneficial in fighting and warding off both the common cold and flu. Both are directly related to boosting the immune system and keeping it in top working condition. 

Elder flowers appear to help with fevers by raising the temperature of the body and helping to "sweat out" the fever and the poisons in the body. 

Coughs can be eased with elderberry due to its expectorant property. 

No studies can scientifically "back" this, but due to its anti-viral property, it makes sense that elderberries can help fight off and prevent herpes related conditions such as cold sores, chicken pox and shingles. I, personally, strongly believe it to be true because for several years I struggled with chronic cold sores from stress. Once I started taking elderberry syrup faithfully I now only get them occasionally.

Things to Note

You may have heard that elderberries are toxic. Below is an excerpt from the Franklin Institute of Health. I would also like to note that, as far as I can tell, the main adverse effect is feeling a bit nauseous. As a child I used to eat the fresh berries by the handful and never once felt nauseous.

"The elderberry plant can contain a cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin which must be deactivated by heat prior to ingesting medicinally to avoid adverse effects. (A cyanogenic glycoside contains a cyanide group attached to a sugar. When digested, it is released, and can harm the body.) The berries also contain an alkaloid, sambucine, which causes nausea and vomiting. So why do we ingest elderberries? Because these components are easily deactivated through heat, which enables us to produce a finished product that does not contain any of the dangerous types of alkaloids or glycosides."

Put it Into Practice

Where to Purchase

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If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:

And this place is pretty cool for finding organic and/or heirloom seeds:

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