elderberry

I imagine you have begun to notice a shift in the seasons.

Leaves are beginning to change color, flowers are beginning to die off.

Depending on where you are geographically, the end of summer can mark the harvest of things like berries, seeds and roots.

Once plants have put all their energy into flowering, edible parts like leaves can become tougher and more bitter.

This can be a signal that it is time to prepare for the harvest of other edible parts. In summer you may begin to notice those beautiful white, umbrella flower clusters of Elder turning into green berries. As fall approaches you will begin to see the berries change into a deep purple or black-signaling they are ready for harvest.

This is specifically in reference to sambucus nigra; as there 20-30 varieties of elderberry in the sambucus genus.

Some of which have red berries!

The sambucus nigra is what is most commonly used in North American & Europe in syrups & tinctures, for immune and respiratory support.

Elder is known as a shrub but can easily grow into small trees ranging from 10-30 ft high. Elder can be identified by their pinnately, compound leaves with 5-11 leaves along a singular stem. These leaves themselves are serrated and appear opposite of each other along the terminal stem while a central leaf along the terminal stem.

The flowers reveal themselves in white umbrella like clusters, and have a very floral scent. The berries come after the flowers.

We can look to the seasonal changes, to decipher what medicine we may need in the season(s) ahead. This is why the end of summer marks a good time to begin prepping our medicines for fall/winter.

Elderberry is an immunostimulant that has an affinity for the respiratory and immune system. These berries can be heated to remove cyanogenic glycosides and turned into nourishing syrups and tinctures. When making a tincture with alcohol as the solvent there is no need to heat the berries as the alcohol will neutralize that toxic compound.

Since elderberry is an immunostimulant this is not a plant you want to over use. Rather, this plant part is great to use during the duration of a sickness- or when fighting off an illness; but not for an extended period of time. I hope you find this information on Elderberry as interesting as I do, and that maybe it inspires you to make your very own elderberry syrup for this fall/winter.

——————-

Parts Used:

-berries, flowers

Energetics:

-warming, drying

Tastes:

-tart/sour, bitter, sweet

-berries- sour, sweet, bitter

- flowers-sweet, bitter

Herbal Actions:

-immunostimulant, antioxidant, diuretic, diaphoretic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory

Contraindications:

-contains cyanogenic glycosides and should be cooked before consumption

-people with autoimmune diseases should exercise caution & check with their physician before use

-may interfere with immunosuppressant medications

-elderberry may effect blood sugar levels

-may intensify effects of laxatives or diuretics

Please remember to always use at least 3 identification sources when wildcrafting. Also be mindful of where you are harvesting. For example, making sure the plants are not near roadways or somewhere they can become polluted by exhaust or pesticides.

Disclaimer: These articles are for educational purposes only, they are not a substitution for professional medical advice, and as the reader you are responsible for your own health decisions.