Herb Series: Elder

Sambucus nigra

Sambucus nigra and s. Canadensis
Family: Adoxaceae (Viburnaceae)
Parts Used: Flower and fruit

Elder is a favorite around here and one that I use regularly, whether in our Heal All blend, which I use for everything, or the kiddos favorite, elderberry syrup and elderberry glycerite, which we use all winter long for both prevention and treatment of illness.  This plant is a two for one, giving the healing power of the flower in the summer and the illness fighting power of the berry in the fall, just in time for winter. I use it so much I started my own plant last year and anxiously await the day it starts producing for our everyday uses.  For now, I just order my elderberries dried from either Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store and the elder flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Properties

Flowers

• alterative
• anti-inflammatory
• diaphoretic
• diuretic (cold infusion)

• demulcent
• anti-catarrhal
• anti-spasmodic
• febrifuge
• aperient
• vulnerary
• cooling (cold infusion)

Berries

• alterative
• anti-inflammatory
• diaphoretic
  
• diuretic
• expectorant
• laxative
• aperient
• anti-rheumatic
• antiviral
• antioxidant
• nutritive

Definitions of herbal properties

Beauty and Personal Care

The flower is used for these purposes

• soothing to the skin
• cools hot skin
• softens skin
• clears the complexion

Uses

• facial wash
• toner (infuse in vinegar or witch hazel)
• compress
• facial steam

Combines well with lavender, rose petals, or calendula. 

Medicinal Uses 

Flower

• Clears heat from the body, promotes sweating to clear “channels”
• Fevers, cold, and flu with accompanying symptoms (hot tea)
• Respiratory and sinus issues, sore throat (cold tea)
• Allergies and hay fever
• Earache, headache
• Helps reduce excessive amount of mucus, restores balance
• Eyes: sore, strained, leaky, inflammation, infection (cold)
• Mouth sores, gum disease, cold sores
• Blood cleanser
• Skin care: clears, moistens, softens, balanced complexion
• Bruises, burns, swelling, rashes, etc.
• Sunburn, night sweats and hot flashes (compress or spritz with cold tea)
• “…for a dozen miseries”

Berry

• Antiviral: strengthens cell walls, inhibits viral penetration into cells, interferes with virus replication = can reduce duration of illness and aid in prevention
• Nutritive: antioxidants, vitamins A and C, iron, etc.
• Tonic for illness prevention and treatment
• Viruses of all types: flu, herpes, shingles, etc.
• Enhances immune system function
• Lung and sinus congestions, tonsilitis, sore throat, etc.
• Blood building and cleansing
• Cardiovascular tonic: strengthen arteries and capillaries
• Inflammatory conditions: joints, bowels, etc.

Methods of Use

• Tincture, vinegar
• Syrup, honey
• Herbal oil, salve, cream (flowers)
• Tea and herbal drinks (flowers only steep for about 3-5 minutes)
• Compress (flowers)
• Poultice (all parts can be used)
• Bath, foot soak, face steam, sitz bath
• Toner, face wash, gargle (flowers)
• Food: jams, jellies, preserves, pies, soda, or juice

how to prepare herbs

In the Kitchen

• Jams, jellies, preserves
• Pies
• Sodas and juices
• Desserts

In the Garden

Traditionally elder is planted at the edge of the garden as the "protector", I love that imagery rather it is true or not. In any case this "bush" can get quite large, even up to 30 feet (though usually 5-12 feet) so you do want to give it plenty of space to grow.

• Likes moist, rich soil and part shade to replicate it's natural habitat of growing next to rivers and by water in forests.  Keep roots moist, although elder will still survive if it gets dry and hot.
• Propagate from a cutting or purchase a transplant from the nursery.  I got mine from Rolling River Nursery online, they cultivate their plants using only organic means. 
• To harvest the flowers, pick on a dry, sunny day when fully open.  They should smell lemony and fresh.  Pick the whole head of flowers and dry or use fresh. Remove flowers completely from the stems.
• Berries are ripe when they look almost black in color, usually  around August and September.  They need to be prepared immediately or dried with gentle heat (dehydrator on low). Remove berries completely from the stem with a fork or fingers. My favorite way to prepare and use elderberries is making an herbal glycerite and a syrup. 

Caution

Raw, ripe berries can cause upset stomach, so it is best to cook or dry them before use. The leaves and bark can be toxic, but when used under professional care can be a strong antiviral for SARS and coronavirus. 

printable for herbal

Recipes

Heal All Herbal Blend

Immune Boosting Herbal Tea

Immune Booster Honey

Cold Kicker Herbal Blend

Chocolate Orange Elderberry Syrup

Herbal C Blend

Resources

Benefits of Elderberry by Dr. Axe
Herbal Legacy - Elder
​https://www.ahpa.org/herbs_in_history_elderberry
​Botany in a Day, p. 176
The Herbal Academy: Botany & Wildcrafting Course, p.58
The Herbal Academy: Recipes Monographs: Intermediate Herbal Course, p. 126
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies, p. 130
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody, p. 96
Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, p. 273
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, p. 110
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, p. 61
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, p. 134
Mountain States Medicinal Plants by Briana Wiles, p. 99
The Herbal Kitchen, p. 60
Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains, p. 55
Practical Herbalism (full list of constituents and actions, preparations and dosages) p. 153
A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma Hutchens, p. 84
A Kid’s Herb Book by Lesley Tierra, p. 137
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, p.161
The Healing Garden by Gayle Povis Allerman, p. 120
Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra, p. 158
Herbal Health Secrets by Richard M. Lucas, p. 69 (constituent list)
Backyard Medicine (quotes from old herbals and recipes, with dosages), p. 57
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James A. Duke, p. 92
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of herbs, p. 178 (history, uses, cultivation, fun facts)
The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey, p. 37
Back to Eden, p. 212
A Modern Herbal Mrs. M.Grieve, p. 265

Updated: 10/2024