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European Elder
- European Box Elder Tree, Elderberry, Sambucus
The medicinal herb European Elder as an alternative herbal remedy for skin conditions - European elder is a tree native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, and it also grows in the United States. There are several different types of elder, such as American elder, but European elder is the type most often used as a supplement.Common Names--European elder, black elder, elder, elderberry, elder flower, sambucus
Latin Names--Sambucus nigra
The leaves are pinnate with 5–9 leaflets (rarely 3 or 11). Each leaf is 5–30 cm (2.0–11.8 in) long, and the leaflets have serrated margins. They bear large clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white).
Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Cures for Diseases, Ailments & Illnesses that afflict Humans and Animals
Aloe Vera •
Astragalus •
Bankoro •
Bilberry •
Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya) •
Bitter Orange •
Black Cohosh •
Cat's Claw •
Chamomile •
Chasteberry •
Coconut •
Cranberry •
Dandelion •
Echinacea •
Ephedra •
European Elder Tree •
Evening Primrose •
Fenugreek •
Feverfew •
Flaxseed •
Garlic •
Ginger •
Ginkgo •
Ginseng (Asian) •
Golden Seal •
Grape Seed •
Green Tea •
Hawthorn •
Hoodia •
Horse Chestnut •
Kava •
Lavender •
Licorice •
Malunggay Moringa Oleifera •
Milk Thistle •
Mistletoe •
Passion Flower •
Peppermint Oil •
Red Clover •
Ringworm Bush (Akapulko) – Cassia alata •
Saw Palmetto •
St. John's Wort •
Tawa Tawa •
Turmeric •
Valerian •
Yohimbe •
accept the bitter to get better
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 Elderberry Trees | |||
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What European Box Elder Tree or Elderberry, Sambucus Is Used For
- Parts of the elder tree--such as the berries and flowers--have long been used for pain, swelling, infections, coughs, and skin conditions. *Today, elderberry and elder flower are used for flu, colds, fevers, constipation, and sinus infections.
How European Box Elder Tree, Elderberry Sambucus Is Used
- The dried flowers (elder flower) and the cooked blue/black berries (elderberry) of the European elder tree are used in teas, liquid extracts, and capsules.
What the Science Says about European Box Elder Tree or Elderberry, Sambucus
- Although some small studies show that elderberry may relieve flu symptoms, the evidence is not strong enough to support this use of the berry. *A few studies have suggested that a product containing elder flower and other herbs can help treat sinus infections when used with antibiotics, but further research is needed to confirm any benefit.
- No reliable information is available on the effectiveness of elderberry and elder flower for other uses.
- According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), elderberry may help ease pain, swelling, infection, cough, skin conditions, flu, cold, fever, constipation and sinus infections. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says there are few side effects associated with short-term use of elderberry. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate elderberry; the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends consulting a physician prior to taking elderberry.
Side Effects and Cautions of European Box Elder Tree, Elderberry, Sambucus
- Uncooked or unripe elderberries are toxic and can cause nausea, vomiting, or severe diarrhea. Only the blue/black berries of elder are edible. *Because of elder flower's possible diuretic effects, use caution if taking it with drugs that increase urination.
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This helps to ensure coordinated and safe care.
Folklore, Superstition, Legends and tales about magic referring to the Elder Tree, Sambucus
- Source verbatim from: www.answers.com
Many superstitions and legends are associated with the elder tree and shrub (genus Sambucus). In some cultures, it is identified with the tree on which Judas hanged himself as well as with the wood used for the Cross. In some parts of Scotland and Wales, it was believed that the dwarf elder grew only on ground that had been soaked in blood. Elder was not used for a child's cradle because it could cause the child to pine or be harried by fairies. In Germany it was considered unlucky to bring an elder branch into a house, because it might also bring ghosts, or, in England, the Devil himself.
However, elder was also believed to protect against evil, and it was thought that wherever it grew witches were powerless. In England gardens were sometimes protected by having elder trees planted at the entrance, or in hedges around the garden. In some parts of the United States, an elder stick was burned on the fire at Christmas Eve to reveal witches, sorcerers, and other evil wishers in the neighborhood. In the Tyrol, it was believed that an elder stick cut on St. John's Eve (June 23) would detect witchcraft.
Many old gardens in Britain retained into the twentieth century some of the protective elder trees. The folklorist James Napier recalled: "In my boyhood, I remember that my brothers, sisters, and myself were warned against breaking a twig or branch from the elder hedge which surrounded my grandfather's garden. We were told at the time as a reason for this prohibition, that it was poisonous; but we discovered afterwards that there was another reason, viz., that it was unlucky to break off even a small twig from a bourtree bush [old name for elder]."
In some parts of Europe, this superstition was so strong that before pruning the elder, the gardener would say, "Elder, elder may I cut thy branches?" If no response was heard, it was considered that permission had been given, and then, after spitting three times, the pruner began his cutting. Another writer claimed that elderwood formed a portion of the fuel used in burning human bodies as protection against evil influences, and drivers of funeral hearses had their whip handles made of elder for a similar reason.
In some parts of Scotland, people would not put a piece of elderwood into the fire. Napier observed one instance where "pieces of this wood were lying around unused when the neighbourhood was in great straits for firewood; but none would use it, and when asked why? the answer was: 'We don't know, but folks say it is not lucky to burn the bourtree."'
Elderberries gathered on St. John's Eve were believed to ward off witchcraft and to bestow magic powers. If the elder was planted in the form of a cross upon a new grave and it bloomed, this was a sure sign that the soul of the dead person was happy.
Various magic powers against illness were claimed for elder. In Massachusetts, elder pulp in a bag worn around the neck was thought to cure rheumatism. Elsewhere elder was also used as an amulet, small pieces being cut up and sewn into a knot and hung around the neck or sewn in a knot in a piece of a man's shirt. Elder was also believed to be of medicinal value for deafness, faintness, strangulation, sore throat, ravings, snake and dog bites, insomnia, melancholy, and hypochondria.
Medication Interactions of Elder berry
According to the UMMC, elderberry can react with numerous prescription medications. Elderberry has diuretic properties, and users should not combine it with other diuretics because of the risk of dehydration. Those who take diabetic medications that lower blood sugar should not take elderberry, because elderberry has blood sugar-lowering capabilities that can lead to hypoglycemia, a complication of diabetes characterized by extremely low blood sugar. Elderberry may also increase the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and interfere with the drug theophylline, an asthma medication, and immunosuppressants like prednisone.
News About Elder Tree
Elderberry and Sugar Combat Viral Infections
- By Akam Anyangwe (Care2 Healthy Living Guest Contributor)
Remember those remedies from the old days? At the first sign of a cold or flu, some grandmothers gave out sweetened elderberry syrup. According to recent research at Yale University, that elderberry syrup remedy may be even more potent than we knew.
- Should we eat when we have an infection?
Published in the Cell, a science journal, the Yale University study showed that the answer to the old question, “Is it starve a cold, feed a fever — or is it feed a cold, starve a fever?” are both true, and false. It depends on the cause of the infection. Illness commonly causes a loss of appetite — and once the fever starts to rise, food becomes a distant thought. But as the Yale study found out, if you’ve got a viral infection, the role of food is quite different than if you’ve go a bacterial infection.
The Yale researchers conducted the study on mice. For mice with a bacterial infection — or listeria monocytogenes, when they were fed a meal without sugar, or other carbohydrates that are metabolized to glucose, the mice survived. But when fed a meal containing sugar or other carbohydrates that are metabolized to glucose, they got worse.
On the contrary, for mice infected with an influenza virus, not being fed led to increased mortality, while eating helped them recover.
Essentially, eating food containing sugar made the bacterial infection worse, but protected against lethality of an influenza virus infection. And while the research was done with mice, there is good reason to expect similar results in humans.
Like mice, our bodies undergo physiological changes during an infection. In the case of a bacterial infection, we lose appetite and stop eating. Faced with an absence of glucose, our body starts breaking down lipids instead. It turns out that one of the products of this lipid breakdown are ketone bodies. These molecules work to protect against reactive oxygen species — which cause oxidative stress —and also protect against bacteria. But when we consume foods containing glucose and carbohydrates, the presence of sugar signals the body to stop the fat breakdown, and we lose the protective action of those ketone bodies.
But what about a viral infection? It’s a very different scenario. In the case of viruses, an antiviral inflammation process ensues in the body, which can initiate cell death — or apoptosis — as a result of inflammation-induced stress. But the presence of glucose stalls the initiation of this cell death, helping the body to better adapt to, and survive, the viral infection.
In other words, that old-fashioned glass of elderberry syrup that many a grandmother offered against respiratory infections was spot on. Recent tests and human studies have shown that elderberry contains powerful flavonoids that have been shown to be potent antiviral compounds. The human study completed and published in 2016 involved 312 people who took a long-distance flight from Australia to overseas. Some of the passengers were given elderberry capsules (produced by Iprona AG, Italy), and some were given a placebo. Those who took the elderberry were less likely to have a cold — and if they did get infected, their illness lasted far shorter (it lasted about a third shorter as in the placebo group), and their symptoms were significantly less severe.
We have to credit our grandmothers, certainly, for what they knew. But combining elderberry with glucose to stave off a viral cold or flu makes even more sense now that we know the science. In viral infections, the glucose has a protective effect against cell death caused by antiviral inflammation. Combine that with the powerful immune support and antiviral effect of elderberry’s potent flavonoids, and that’s a very effective combination against flu or colds indeed.
The Size of a Mature Elderberry Plant
- (San Francisco Gate)
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a large shrub that can sometimes grow to the size of a small tree. Though elderberry bushes are not the smallest shrubs in the plant world, even the largest of their kind are cozy enough to look at home in a small garden. Hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 9, they seem to come alive with clusters of white flowers in summer, with fruit appearing later that makes excellent wine or jam. Their berries also attract hungry birds, while their leaves are food for white-tailed deer in some regions.
- General Size
Elderberry shrubs typically grow 5 to 12 feet tall, but some can soar to heights of 20 feet. These taller elderberry bushes often appear more like multistemmed trees in the garden. They are also rapid growers with a spread that's typically 6 to 12 feet across. Because of their quick growth, they are smart choices for filling a dead space in a garden.
- Leaves, Flowers and Fruit
Elderberry bushes have deciduous leaves that grow 5 to 9 inches long. Though their pale flowers are tiny, they grow in sizable clusters that can span up to a foot. These showy clusters make elderberry bushes especially recognizable in summer, when the flowers blossom. The dark, berrylike fruit also grows in clusters in summer and early fall; each fruit is approximately 1/4-inch in diameter.
- Training Elderberries as Trees
If you want to train an elderberry shrub into a tree, it's best to start early, before the shrub reaches maturity. Look for strong stems or a single central branch, then remove the remaining vertical stems. If new stems develop, trim them immediately. Also remove side branches that are close to the ground, to give the shrub the look of a bare tree trunk at the bottom, as desired.
- Pruning
Pruning elderberry bushes helps control their size. It can also encourage more flowering, as cuts trigger fresh bud growth. If you don't need to control elderberry size, the main reason to prune is to remove old stems, which makes your elderberry shrubs appear healthy and dense. To maintain your elderberry bushes, remove dead and broken canes along with canes that are more than three years old during the dormant period in late winter.
Difference Between American Elder & Elderberry Tree
- By Sarah Moore
The American elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) is an elderberry (Sambucus), but is only one of many. Although there are several differences between the American elderberry and others, most elderberries are fairly similar, and can be treated similarly both in the garden and in the kitchen, where they are often used to make preserves.
- American Elderberry
The American elderberry is a deciduous shrub. Like other elderberries, it can grow tall and treelike, but is not technically a tree. Native to eastern North America, as the name suggests, it is winter hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. White flowers form in June or July and are followed by clusters of bluish-black fruits in late summer or fall. These fruits are berrylike in appearance, but are actually drupes.
- Other Elderberries
Other types of elderberries, which used to have their own distinctions, are now classified as types of European elderberry (Sambucus nigra). This elderberry is native to parts of Europe, Africa and southwestern Asia, and is winter hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8. The blueberry elder, or blue elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. Cerulea, formerly Sambucus glauca), hardy to USDA zones 4 through 9, is native to parts of North America but most closely related to the European elderberry. These berries also exhibit the blue-black color elderberries are known for. There are seven species native to the United States.
- Culture
Elderberries grow in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist, humusy soils, and will even grow in conditions that are verging on wet. It will also tolerate clay soil, but in either case, soil should be well-drained to avoid drowning the plants. For a naturalized effect, allow plants to sucker freely. In springtime, clear out dead branches to help maintain the health of the colony.
- Uses
Both American and European elderberries can be used in food preparation, though many people regard the American elderberry as having the better flavor. They may be used to make pies, jams and jellies, and wine. Some people, however, have exhibited reactions to elderberries (especially raw), including nausea, vomiting and cramps. In the garden, elderberries are best grown where they can naturalize by suckering and provide wild interest.
Can this berry make your jet lag a little better?
- (Agencies, The Health Site)
A new study has suggested that the common elderberry can provide some relief to international air travelers.
Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) researchers have completed a clinical trial showing that an elderberry supplement can provide some protection from cold and flu-like symptoms following long-haul flights. Whilst jet lag and fatigue remain the best-known problems, holidaymakers also often experience upper respiratory symptoms. Read: Natural remedies for jet lag
Presenting their results at the 21st Annual International Integrative Medicine Conference in Melbourne, the research team showed how elderberry appears to reduce the duration and severity of the cold. The randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 312 economy class passengers travelling from Australia to an overseas destination. Cold episodes, cold duration and symptoms were recorded in a daily diary and participants also completed surveys before, during and after travel. Read: Jet lag no more! Stay right on the clock!
They found that most cold episodes occurred in the placebo group, but the difference between the placebo and active group was not significant, but the placebo group had a significantly higher number of cold episode days and the symptom score in the placebo group over these days was also significantly higher, says Associate Professor Tiralongo.
An Abundance of Elderberry Uses
- By Marion Lillie
Upon moving from the Midwest to the Idaho mountains, I was faced with the task of learning to recognize scads of new woodland plants. Somehow, though—no matter where I might look—one particular shrub kept catching my eye. At first I simply noticed the plentiful plant's showy compound leaves, each with 5 to 11 leaflets. But then in June (after everything else had bloomed) this tall bush suddenly became a striking hillside ornamental packed with clusters of delicate white flowers. Still later—right at the ragged end of summer—the blossoms were transformed into bunches of tiny purple berries. Some of those tasty-looking, double-handful-sized fruit clumps became so heavy their stems drooped down with the weight!
When I quizzed my nearest neighbor about this abundant yet mysterious shrub, she said, "Why, they're plain ol' good-eatin' elderberries, child." So I decided to harvest a few fruity clusters and kitchen-test them. The berries were so easy to pick that I was able to gather a bagful in no time at all. I soon found out, though, that the tedious task of separating the individual fruits from their tiny twigs more than made up for the "pickability" of the many-berried clumps. And to tell the truth, the little morsels didn't taste all that good to me raw, either (though I've learned since then that some folks like 'em fine that way).
I was beginning to wonder if this particular wild food wasn't better left in the woods. But I quickly reversed my opinion when I started cooking with them and discovered a multitude of elderberry uses. The tidbits were downright delectable when baked (especially if I added a touch of lemon to my fixings): I just substituted elders in my blueberry recipes and turned out dandy pies, cobblers, and muffins. (The fruits became naturally mellow and mouthwatering as soon as I'd dried a few bunches, too.)
Once I'd achieved these culinary successes, I became so enchanted with elderberries that I even researched the curious plant in a field guide ... and learned that blue, purple, and black specimens of Sambucus canadensis are common all over the U.S., and all are renowned for being finer sources of vitamin C than even oranges or tomatoes! There is also a less-common red-fruited variety—Sambucus racemosa—that's been reported to make some folks sick. However, since the good elders are all blue, purple, or black when ripe, the racemosa berries are easy to avoid.
After my initial enthusiastic elderberry spree, I had to catch up on a number of neglected homestead chores and pretty much forgot about the foraged fruit for a couple of weeks. Then one morning the same neighbor who first told me about elderberries sent her two boys over with some shopping bags stuffed with the purple clusters. The fruit actually looked a little old and dull to me, but when I called up to thank the kind woman—she explained that those elder rounds came from her special patch, and that the dusty look of the berries meant they had reached the peak of ripeness. "That 'bloom' is caused by the light frosts we've been having," she told me. "You watch. The birds will gobble up all the berries now."
- Elderberry Jelly
I was glad to have such an abundant supply of berries, but I didn't feel like "detwigifying" every single purple fruit, so I decided to simply clean out the leaves and larger branches and make juice. I boiled and mashed the clumps in small amounts of water, and then I hung the pulp—twigs and all—in jelly bags until all the liquid dripped out.
Then, since an old childhood jump-rope jingle ("Elderberry jelly, huckleberry pie. That's what we like, me oh MY!") kept running through my head, I started making jelly. I simply combined a cupful of elderberry juice with two-thirds cup of honey and boiled down the mixture until it sheeted. Lo and behold, I ended up with a tender, firm, sweet-tart product that would have made my mother (the cooking queen of my childhood's county fairs) proud!
That batch was a great success with my family and friends, so I kept experimenting with the juice. I soon discovered that elderberries are low in natural pectin and that if I added some of the commercial gel-aiding substance, I could get a lot more jelly for the same amount of work. Better yet, I found that I could mix a naturally pectin-rich fruit juice—like grape or green apple—with equal parts of my elderberry drippings, to give my concoctions a brand-new tangy flavor!
- Elderberry Slump
After stuffing my shelves with a variety of elder jellies, I still had a kegful of juice, so I tied my apron back on and created a juice-and-dumpling dessert: elderberry slump. First I mixed together 2 cups of elderberry juice, 2/3 cup of honey, a sprinkle of cornstarch (for thickener), and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. I let that combination simmer slowly in a pot while I started on the dumplings.
To fix these dough morsels, I measured out 1 cup of cake flour (3/4 cup of bread flour and one tablespoon of cornstarch could be substituted), 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. I mixed these ingredients and sifted them three times to make the dumplings light and airy. Then I filled a 1/2-cup measure with one beaten egg and milk, and stirred that liquid combination into the dry "siftings" to make a stiff batter.
I dropped spoonfuls of the tasty paste into my simmering elder juice and then cooked the dumplings—covered—for two minutes on each side. The last step was to serve the finished elderberry slump with whipped cream ... and watch my family scrape the plates clean!
- Elderberry Wine
However, even after my whole family ate their fill of elderberry slump I still had lots of juice. So I set out to brew up a batch of that legendary inebriant: elderberry wine. Unfortunately, my earlier vinting attempts had earned me the title of "li'l ol' winewrecker." Nevertheless I figured the possible rewards would certainly be worth the effort, so I altered a simple grape wine recipe that my parents had used into my own formula for elderberry balloon wine.
I started off by sterilizing a gallon jug (to be sure that no vinegar-making bacteria would subvert my efforts) and combining—in this container—1 quart of elderberry juice, 1/4 teaspoon of dry yeast, and 3 cups of sugar. Then I filled the vessel with water and tied a big, heavy balloon—as firmly as possible—over the neck of the jug.
The readily made concoction frothed and bubbled wildly, and the balloon became so inflated I thought it would burst. But it held together somehow, and—amazingly enough—when I took the air bag off six weeks later I had a tart, scarlet berry wine with no vinegar taste!
- Frozen Concentrate
Since my pantry was nigh onto overflowing with elderberry goodies by this time, I decided to freeze the rest of my juice until midwinter when the fruity liquid could be used for special cold weather treats.
I did take measures to save space, though, by placing blocks of frozen juice in cheesecloth and letting the thawing product drip down into storage containers. The elder fluid melted first (leaving the water content still iced), and gave me a low-volume elderberry concentrate to refreeze and put away.
- Flowers, Too
That September gave me an elderberry harvest I'll never forget. However—as I learned the following June—I had completely missed out on half of the amazing plant's food products: the flowers!
The white-petaled clusters—called "elderblow"—can be used to make tea; added to muffins, pancakes, and custards; cooked up as fritters (just dip an unshucked cluster in your favorite batter and fry); and more.
All in all, I bless the day my neighbor told me about elderberries. I still wonder, however, how the generous plant came by its name. Perhaps it's because the "elder" berries ripen when the other wild fruits are pretty much gone, or just because folks have known about the source of good eating for so long. But one thing's for sure: Since I keep on learning new culinary uses for the delectable fruit and flowers, elderberries will never get old for me!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Marion has discovered a great deal about elderberry "eats", but she's right when she says there's more to be learned! Here are some good leads for further food and drink fixing ideas:
[1] There is an easy way to pick the ripe berries off all those twigs! Simply put a small piece of 1/2" mesh hardware cloth over a bucket or large bowl and rub the berry bunches across this screen. The fruit will come off cleaner (and with less bruising) than if you'd picked them all by hand!
[2] If you want to absorb some helpful knowledge about other elderberry—and elderblow—wines, you'd do well to read Sandra Oddo's "Homemade Wine Recipe: Make Elderflower Wine."
[3] And for more elderberry and flower recipes—covering everything from cough syrup to chutney to exquisite elder-sumac jelly—the best resource just has to be that old forager's masterpiece: Stalking the Wild Asparagus by Euell Gibbons.
Eating ELDERBERRIES can help you avoid catching a cold on long flights, new trial reveals
- By Laura House (For Daily Mail Australia)
- • Trial shows that elderberry extract reduces cold symptoms in travelers
- • The trial was conducted on 312 economy passengers on long-haul flights
- • People who developed colds post-flight suffered for two days less
- • Their symptoms were also less severe than those who didn't take it
- • Elderberry has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties
- • It has been used in traditional medicine overseas for centuries
- • Elderberry also had a positive effect on passengers' physical health
Long-haul flights take a significant toll on passengers, with recycled air, close proximity and fatigue impacting their well being upon arrival.
A new study has found that an elderberry supplement can provide some protection from cold and flu-like symptoms following long-haul flights, as well as reducing passengers’ colds by up to two days if they get one.
Dr. Shirley Wee and Associate Professor, Evelin Tiralongo, from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute in Queensland, completed a study of the effects on 312 economy class passengers, travelling from Australia to a destination overseas.
‘Elderberries, which are widely available small purple berries, have been used for centuries as a traditional medicine overseas and as a German pharmacist I came across them very often,’ Professor Tiralongo told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Past research has identified that it has been effective against human flu viruses and bacteria that causes respiratory infections…as well as some clinical trials that showed a reduction in cold and flus.’
Over two years, trials were conducted on Australian passengers to test the effect of elderberry on their overall health post-flight.
‘We know that long-haul flights cause nasal dryness and the enhanced chance of respiratory tract infections due to the close proximity to other passengers,’ Professor Tiralongo said.
‘We wanted to know specifically if elderberry could be effective in some beneficial effect for people who travel to reduce those symptoms.’
Passengers consumed 900 milligrams of elderberry extract every day, beginning 10 days before they boarded the plane and continued four days after their arrival.
While the occurrence of colds wasn't significantly different between participants who took it and those who had a placebo, the trial found that those who took elderberry were not as severely impacted by them.
‘People who took the elderberry had a lower number of cold episode days and also had a significantly lower symptom score…if they got colds they were shorter in duration by two days and their symptom severity score was 1.5 points less than the placebo group,’ Professor Tiralongo said.
Additionally, we found that while all participants suffered a health decline between boarding the plane and arriving, the placebo group had a significant decline where as the elderberry participants’ physical health seemed to stabilise.’
Even though the elderberry had a strong anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effect on the passengers, it had no clear effect on their mental health.
‘Everyone involved had an improved mental health throughout the process…they were all happy because they were going on holidays,’ Professor Tiralongo said.
--- Your health: Remedies for croup in children
- By Sanda Clair (Sandra Clair 's Opinion)
Are there any plant medicines to keep croup in children at bay?
Croup is a childhood illness caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold and infect the upper airways. However, in cases of croup, after a few days of typical cold symptoms, the infection progresses to a seal-like barky cough, hoarseness and noisy breathing. The child's airway swells, making breathing difficult. They may also have a temperature. Croup can be distressing for both children and parents alike.
Croup is most common among infants and toddlers between six months and three years of age. It usually lasts for 5-6 days and is more likely to occur in colder weather.
Children with croup can become seriously ill so it is important to seek medical help immediately if your child is struggling to breathe or speak, has difficulty swallowing, or becomes frightened and anxious.
The best situation is to prevent the progression of a cold to croup. This is where plant medicines that enhance the activity of the immune system and are active against viruses can facilitate recovery. It's also worthwhile to give the child a preventative dose of immune strengthening herbs during the colder months and shoulder seasons.
One of our best plant allies in recovery from viral infections is Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea). This wonderful herb has been proven in clinical trials to reduce the severity and duration of colds and influenza. It assists the body's natural healing process during infection and helps to clear mucus build up from the nasal and bronchial passages.
Another excellent plant for cold and flu is Elderflower (Sambucus nigra). Used medicinally for over 2500 years, its flowers and berries have proven antiviral and antibiotic properties and help to manage fever. A pleasant herb for children, it is specifically useful for head colds, catarrah and sinusitus, helping to clear up runny noses and post-nasal drip.
Plant medicine works best when used at the earliest onset of infection. For best results in an acute situation, frequent dosing is needed: usually between 2-5 doses daily until there is clear improvement.
If the cold has already progressed to croup, the addition of plant medicines that have an affinity for chest complaints will provide targeted relief.
One of the best plants for giving relief to spasmodic coughs, Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) helps to expel infectious phglem as well as providing a cleansing antiseptic action.
Similarly, Licorce (Glycyrrhiza glabra) helps to relax spasm in chest complaints by forming a protective layer upon irritated mucus membranes, relieving inflammation and pain.
Croup can improve during the day only to worsen again at night. Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) has been used for many generations to relax children and ease distressing spasms. It has pain relieving properties which are especially useful for the barking cough specific to croup. It is not a chemical sedative, but rather allows the child to relax and get the healing sleep they need to recover.
Steam inhalations with essential oils such as thyme, eucalyptus and mint (check instructions for correct dose), taking the child to a steamy bathroom whilst running a hot shower, or running a bath are old medical tools to provide instant humidity and relaxation to the airways and keep them open for easier breathing.
If the condition worsens or does not improve, consult your lead healthcare professional without delay.
Ample rewards for planting elderberry
- By Carol Shirk (For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Fruits grown in the home landscape always seem to taste better than anything purchased. Even better is something grown in natural surroundings. Elderberry is native to Wisconsin, although few people have been introduced to its fragrant, edible flowers and delicious berries.
Elderberry (Sambucus) is native to Central Europe and North America. It grows freely along roadsides, forest edges and in abandoned fields. It prefers cool, moist locations, high in organic matter, with full to part sun. These plants can tolerate some shade, but will not tolerate drought or hot, dry conditions.
The American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) grows wild in zones 3-8 and reaches a mature height of 10 to 12 feet. The European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is hardy in zones 4-8, blooms earlier than the American and is significantly taller, up to 20 feet. There is a red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), however those berries are poisonous.
Efforts to improve the native elderberry began in the 20th century and in 1926, the “Adams” cultivars were introduced through research in New York. Further breeding in New York and Canada resulted in “Johns,” “Nova,” “Scotia,” “Kent” and “Victoria” being released in the '50s and '60s that still are widely planted today as reliable, vigorous producers.
If elderberry is not available in the wild, planting one in the landscape is a good option and there is more than one reward for growing elderberry. The 8- to 10-inch white, spring-blooming flowers, can be made into a delicious fritter. The dark purple, fall-produced berries, although bitter on their own, make tasty pies, jams, juices, teas and wines. The berries contain more vitamin C than oranges, and also are high in vitamins A and B as well as antioxidants. Historically, they have been used to treat respiratory problems, colds and flu.
Birds and wildlife are particularly fond of the berries as well, so they never go to waste. If the homeowner doesn’t want to go to the trouble to harvest, the birds will happily take care of the task.
Although spring planting is best for these bushes, preparing the planting area in the fall is ideal. Remove all weeds, especially quack grass and any other aggressive-type plants; incorporate organic matter including well-rotted manure, compost or chopped leaves. As always when planting a new specimen, take a soil sample and send it in for analysis. Instructions for doing so may be obtained in the bulletin “Sampling Lawn and Garden Soils for Soil Testing” (A2166), available through the county Extension office.
Elderberry needs two cultivars planted near each other for cross pollination in order to get good berry production. Space plants about 5 feet apart and plant them with the lowest branches at or just below soil level. Water thoroughly at planting and any time moisture is lacking. Fruit will not set consistently until the second year.
Flowers and fruit are produced on both the current season’s shoots and on older wood. So, pruning is not as complicated as some fruit-bearing bushes. Prune out any broken or dead canes and leave six to eight canes per bush to continue to produce. The second and third year laterals will produce most heavily.
Continue to cultivate lightly to maintain good weed control; add 3 to 4 inches of good organic mulch to improve weed suppression and moisture retention. There are a few pests known to affect elderberry; however, good weed management and pruning will largely keep them at bay. When harvest time comes, enjoy the bounty of your work!
Happy gardening.
Herb to Know: Elder
- By Betsy Strauch
- • Sambucus caerulea, S. canadensis, S. nigra
- • (sam-BYOO-kuss suh-ROO-lee-uh, kan-uh-DEN-siss, NY-gruh)
- • Family Caprifoliaceae
- • Shrub, small tree
The big, creamy, flat-topped flower clusters of elders punctuate early-summer landscapes throughout much of North America. Any flowers left to mature will develop into berries of red, dark purple, blue, or black, depending on the species. Leave the red ones for the birds—they’re bitter and/or poisonous—but harvest the ripe purple, blue, or black ones to make wine, pies, and jellies.
The genus Sambucus comprises some twenty-five species of perennial herbs, deciduous shrubs, or small trees native to temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Africa, South America, Australia, and Tasmania. The species of interest to herb enthusiasts are mainly shrubs or small trees. To read the accounts of some European herbalists, you’d think there was only one elder, the European common elder (S. nigra), but North America has herbal elders of its own: the eastern American elder (S. canadensis) and the western blue or blueberry elder (S. caerulea).
Common and blueberry elders may reach 30 feet in height, but American elder tops out at about 12 feet. The stems are covered with lenticels—small pores that admit air into the plant. The leaves are pinnately compound, the leaflets as large as 2 to 12 inches wide by 6 inches long.
Elders are planted both as specimens and hedges. Common and American elders spread rapidly by suckering and thus are unsuitable for small yards, but many cultivars are better behaved and more glamorous as well. Breeders have had a field day developing elders with dissected, solid gold, gold-splashed or gold-margined green, or black-purple foliage; black stems; double flowers; and/or bigger fruits. You can buy pyramidal elders as well as dwarf forms including the 3-foot-tall S. nigra ‘Nana’ and the minute (8-inch-tall) ‘Witches Broom’.
The name “elder” probably comes from the Old English ellærn. The English herbalist Maud Grieve, however, has suggested that the word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon æld, “fire,” on the grounds that the elder stem is filled with pith, and when this is pushed out, the resulting pipe might be used to puff air toward a fire to get it blazing.
Hollow elder stems have been fashioned into popguns, whistles, and panpipes. Curiously, the generic name Sambucus seems to refer to an ancient stringed instrument rather than a flute. Caerulea means “dark blue” (the fruit color); canadensis, “Canadian”; and “nigra,” black (the fruit color).
The close-grained wood of elders has been used for butchers’ skewers, shoemakers’ pegs, and netting needles; pith balls were once staples in science-class electricity experiments. Decoctions or infusions of the rank-smelling leaves of common elder have been used to keep insects off vegetables and people alike. The bark and root yield a black dye; the leaves, a green one; and the berries, blues and purples, depending on the mordant used.
The belief that the traitor Judas was hanged on an elder tree (later identified as a different species) may be the basis for the association of elder with sorrow and grieving. In some European cultures, cutting an elder was thought to bring bad luck. The Danes believed that a dryad called the elder-tree mother lived in the tree and would haunt anyone who cut it down without first asking her permission. Others held that elder branches would ward off illness and evil spirits.
- Medicinal Uses For Elder
Common elder was once so esteemed for its curative properties that one great physician never passed an elder without raising his hat to it, according to Grieve. All parts of the tree, as well as a fungus sometimes found growing on it, were considered therapeutic. One author listed some seventy diseases that elder would cure. Of course, in olden times, purging was thought to cure nearly every ill, and elder bark, roots, and leaves are all strong purgatives.
Women also dabbed on distilled elder-flower water in hopes of removing freckles and softening the skin. A tea made from the flowers might be used the same way or taken as a mild laxative and blood purifier. Infused with peppermint, elder-flower tea taken at the first sign of a cold or flu promoted sweating and was reputed to vanquish the disease within three days—move over, echinacea!
Elderberry wine had uses similar to those of the flower preparations. In 1899, an American sailor claimed that getting drunk on fine aged port relieved his rheumatic pains. When the beverage proved to be cheap port adulterated with elderberry juice, the combination enjoyed some popularity as a sciatica remedy.
Native Americans found many medicinal uses for American elder, using a bark tea internally as a purgative, emetic, and diuretic, or externally to relieve skin eruptions. They also used a poultice of the leaves to stop bleeding.
Despite elder’s long history of medicinal use, all parts but the flowers and ripe (purple, blue, or black) fruits contain cyanogenic glycosides; ingesting bark, root, or leaf preparations can cause severe diarrhea.
A few recipes using elderberries and flowers appear in modern cookbooks but are more abundant in older ones. The “Elder” entry in Grieve’s Modern Herbal (1931; reprint, Dover, 1992) contains recipes for a rob (a thickened, sweetened juice) and a syrup (both considered medicinal), wines, jellies, a flower vinegar, and chutneys. Fernald and Kinsey’s Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America (1943; reprint, Dover, 1996) offers recipes for a spiced rob, a chutney, and brandied elder-flower fritters.
- Growing Elderberry
Blue elder is hardy to Zone 5; common elder, in Zones 5 to 7; and American elder, in Zones 3 to 9. All are easy to grow and prefer moist soil. The cultivars with golden foliage will appreciate a position in partial shade in the South. Prune back gold- or purple-leaved cultivars in late winter to stimulate the growth of colorful new shoots. Aphids and spider mites may be a problem, especially in hot weather. Depending on how abundant they are, ignore them or spray them with water or insecticidal soap solution.
Seeds germinate most readily if sown in moist sand and held at 68°F for two months, then at 41°F for three to five months longer. Propagate the cultivars from cuttings.
Elderberry Recipes: Elderflower Syrup
- By Margie Gibson
Makes about 3 pints
For a delicious elixir any time of the year, add 2 tablespoons of this syrup to a champagne glass, then fill with prosecco or Sekt. For a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, pour several spoonfuls of the syrup (to taste) into a tall glass and fill with sparkling water.
- • Elderflowers (enough to loosely fill a half-gallon jar), rinsed and cleaned
- • 2 lemons, washed and sliced
- • 4 1⁄8 cups water
- • 5½ cups sugar
- • 1 packet (5 grams) citric acid
1. Stuff flowers and lemon slices into a large glass container with a lid. You should have enough flowers to almost fill the jar.
2. Make syrup: In a 2-quart saucepan, bring water to a boil, then add sugar and boil several minutes. Remove pan from heat, let cool; stir in citric acid.
3. Pour syrup over flowers and lemon slices. Close jar and let it sit in a sunny spot for two or three days.
4. Remove flowers and lemon slices, but first squeeze out their flavored syrup. Bottle the syrup in clean glass jars with tight lids. Store in refrigerator.
The Many Health Benefits of Elderberry
- By Alison Stanton
If you are a fan of the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, you may already be familiar with the elderberry tree from the memorable quote “your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.” Although I’ve seen the movie several times and have always found that line to be highly amusing, it wasn’t until just recently that I learned that the plant has been used for centuries to enhance health in a variety of ways.
Many parts of the elderberry tree, including the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, and berries, have been used in traditional folk medicine. The berries are a rich source of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as amino acids, flavonoids, and tannins. Wine made from elderberries, particularly when warmed up a bit, has been used as a natural remedy for sore throats, the chills, the common cold and the flu (so maybe the father in the above quote wasn’t feeling too well and turned to elderberries for comfort and relief?).
The berries may also help with inflammation of both the bladder and the urinary tract. Please don’t go out and find an elderberry tree and start eating the fresh berries, as the seeds are toxic. But people who drink elderberry juice without any seeds have reported it has helped their colds feel better, as well as bronchitis and asthma.
Elderberry leaves are rich in both rutin and quercetin, vitamin C, and alkaloids, among other things. The flowers of the elderberry have natural astringent properties and are sometimes found as an ingredient in skin care products like facial washes. The flowers, when added to water, can be an effective gargle or soothing rinse for strained eyes.
Elderberries, which sometimes go by the nickname of “the medicine chest of the common people,” presumably because they seem to be useful for so many different ailments, appear to have some clinical research supporting their health benefits. For example, at the Bundesforschungsanstalt research center for food in Karlsruhe, Germany, researchers conducted studies on elderberries to see if they truly enhanced immunity.
The scientists found that the anthocyanins present in elderberries improved the function of the immune system by increasing the production of cytokines, which are proteins that work in the immune system to help it respond properly and defend our bodies against incoming germs. Additional study showed that elderberries are a more potent antioxidant than either vitamin C or E.
Another study of elderberries, this one at the University of Graz in Austria, showed that elderberry extract lowers the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. The 2000 version of Mosby’s Nursing Drug reference has elderberry on the list for nasal and chest congestion, flu, colds, and other ailments.
Have you ever taken elderberry? If so, what did you use it for? Did you find that it helped you?
Elderberry Benefits
- By Kathleen Roberts
You owe it to yourself to learn about elderberry benefits. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) may help your body stay strong when others around you succumb to the common cold, flu or other health issues. If you are already sick, elderberry can help your body fight off illness faster than if you took nothing and faster than certain prescription medications.
- Elderberry
Elderberry is native to Europe where it is a popular landscape specimen. The berries are commonly used in herbal medicine as well as for wine and jelly; the flowers are used to make tea. The stem of the black elderberry contains cyanide and should be avoided. Other varieties of elderberry are also poisonous, so be sure of what you are using if you decide to harvest your own berries.
In some parts of the US, elderberry grows like a weed but properly managed it is pretty and useful. Those who know about elderberry benefits appreciate having such a valuable "weed" growing nearby. It can also be purchased from various nurseries and cultivated at home. A hardy plant, elderberry can grow in climates as cold as zone 3.
- Elderberry Benefits
Elderberry demonstrated success in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory infections including bronchitis, flu and sinusitis. It may also be helpful for those with asthma and high cholesterol. Elderberry benefits appear to be from substances called Sambucus nigra agglutinins, or SNAs, which have the ability to "lock" the receptors of certain flu viruses, preventing them from invading human cells. Furthermore, Sambucus nigra has the ability to protect against as many as eight flu strains, as opposed to the flu shot which protects against only one strain.
According to WebMD, studies have shown that those taking elderberry extract for treatment of flu recovered within two to three days. Those who took nothing recovered in a minimum of six days and needed more painkillers to manage the symptoms.
- Using Elderberry Extract
The most popular brand of elderberry extract is the brand Sambucol. When taken at the first sign of symptoms, Sambucol can help dramatically reduce the duration of illness and is the only elderberry extract that is used in clinical studies. It can be safely taken by children and adults.
The recommended dose is two teaspoons daily to maintain health. If you are ill, you should take two teaspoons, four times a day. It can be diluted with water if the thick, sweet syrup is too intense, but this may also make it much easier to get children to take it.
- Make Your Own
There are various recipes available so that you can make your own elderberry syrup and still enjoy elderberry benefits. Some require vodka or other alcohol. This can pose a problem for those who prefer to not ingest alcohol.
The simplest recipe is found in the book Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by famed herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Gladstar says to place a half cup dried or one cup fresh elderberries in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low, allowing the mixture to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
Mash the berries and strain through fine mesh. Add a cup or so to honey, according to taste. Store in a jar with a tight lid in the refrigerator. This syrup is good for two to three months.
5 Amazing Health Benefits Of Elderberries
- By Shaista Zafar
Elderberries are one among the most tempting and scrumptious fruits on our planet. The visual beauty of this purple, juicy fruit is simply irresistible. It is packed with countless benefiting nutrients and hence, offers innumerable beauty and health benefits.
Scroll down and find the nutrition values and popular health benefits of the soft and plump elderberries.
- Elderberry: Health Benefits:
1. Immunity Booster:
Hosting dense concentrations of vitamin C, flavonoids, anthocyanins and several other powerful antioxidants, elderberries have been promoted as an immunity-boosting ingredient. It is a great natural remedy for preventing viral and bacterial infections like cough, cold and flu as well as tonsillitis.
2. Cancer Prevention:
Thanks to being a powerhouse of antioxidants, elderberries work wonders to prevent and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Not only this, these antioxidants also put a fierce fight against the free radicals which tend to become cancerous and deteriorate healthy cells, if left unchecked.
3. Regulate Body’s Cholesterol Level:
Elderberry extract contains generous amounts of cynidine glucosides, a substance known to reduce the level of bad LDL cholesterol in the human body. Those experiencing cholesterol problems are often recommended to incorporate elderberries in their routine diet.
4. Healthy, Youthful Skin:
Infused with innate anti aging and free-radical fighting properties, the elderberries keep your skin radiant and juvenile for a long period. Furthermore, acting as a natural detoxifying agent, elderberry also helps keeping away distressing skin conditions like breakouts, boils and scars at bay.
5. Robust Eyes; Lasting Vision
For centuries now, carrots have been known for their vision enhancing properties. But if carrot doesn’t suit your palate, think about substituting it with elder berry. Crammed with vitamin A and B6, these berries assist alleviation and prevention of various eye conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma, ensuring you a lasting vision.
- Elderberries: Nutrition Value
Elderberries are a powerhouse of essential vitamin and minerals. These potent nutrients make elderberries a healthy snack with excellent healing properties. A standard 100 gram serving of elderberries is known to contain 60% Vitamin C, 12% Vitamin A, 11% Vitamin B6, 5% Thiamin and 4% Riboflavin. All these vitamins work collectively to keep your body fit and healthy always.
These edible berries also hold a remarkable mineral content. Packed naturally with 9% iron, 8% potassium and 4% of calcium and phosphorus each, elderberries ensure the smooth functioning of all the bodily systems.
Additionally, elderberries can be a great addition to your diet if you’re looking for a fiber rich fruit that can boost your digestive system. A single serving of elderberries is just enough to satisfy 28% of your daily fiber requirements and keep your digestive system working efficiently!
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 305 kJ (73 kcal) Carbohydrates 18.4 g Dietary fiber 7 g Fat 0.5 g Protein 0.66 g Water 79.80 g Vitamin A equiv. 30 μg (4%) Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.07 mg (6%) Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.06 mg (5%) Niacin (vit. B3) 0.5 mg (3%) Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.14 mg (3%) Vitamin B6 0.23 mg (18%) Folate (vit. B9) 6 μg (2%) Vitamin C 36 mg (43%) Calcium 38 mg (4%) Iron 1.6 mg (12%) Magnesium 5 mg (1%) Phosphorus 39 mg (6%) Potassium 280 mg (6%) Zinc 0.11 mg (1%)
- Warning:
- • Despite the numerous health and beauty benefits, one should go easy on its use as it also contain a little amount of poisonous cyanide-like chemical, which may prove detrimental in the long run.
- • Always cook the berries before using them because they are not suitable for consumption in raw form. Also, make sure that the elderberries you’re using are fully ripe.
- • Among the countless varieties of elderberries, black one is most suitable for eating. Other types may contain toxic substances.
- • Expecting moms and patients suffering from autoimmune diseases should strictly steer clear away from consuming elderberries.
Hope you liked reading the article. Remember to buy them the next time you are buying fruits and reap the numerous health and beauty benefits elderberries have to offer!
Medicinal Herbs: Willow, Violet, and Elderberry
- By Corinne Martin
This seasonal herbal medicine guide highlights the uses of willow, violet, and elderberry species.
The following suggestions provide enough basic information for you to use the herbs listed here in various ways. Do not feel limited by them—the nature of herbal medicine is experimentation. Within the firm margins of safety, let yourself be guided by the plants and by your own instinct. Remember that medicinal herbs are potent and that their use requires you to be respectful of your body and of the plants. Above all, know that wellness is one of your natural birthrights, and that healing comes from within. The plants are simply herbs, ready to guide you toward internal balance.
- Willow
Last year I took willow for the first time. A fierce and unusual headache struck one day, and there was no aspirin in the house. I did, however, have a jar full of willow bark given to me by a friend. I simmered a small handful of the strips in boiling water for a few minutes. The tea tasted bitter, but I drank it anyway, a few swallows at a time. Half an hour later, singing through my household chores, I remembered my headache. The willow seemed to have worked wonders; I think it even improved my mood. Since then, I reach for willow whenever pain strikes.
Another time, black flies discovered me in the garden in the first sun after a string of wet and cloudy days. Remembering that willow is anti-inflammatory (and good for pain, too), I rubbed some freshly made tincture on the itchy, burning place. It stung for a moment and then stopped. Later, I realized I had forgotten about the bite, and when I checked it, there was no redness or swelling, and the itching was gone.
Description: A number of willow species occur in New England, and all can be used for the same purposes. Salix nigra is the traditional species for herbal use, but generally all the willows have similar compounds.
Willows may be found as shrubs or small trees, rarely exceeding 80 feet in height. The plant may have a single, central trunk that branches off; most often, it will have several trunks that sprout from the base. Willows are found mostly in moist areas and are common along waterways. Most of the willows have a distinct odor that can be noticed upon crushing the leaves or bark.
Willow leaves in general are long and lance-shaped, with a pointed tip and catkins that erupt from a scale along the branch. Seeds of the various species are generally attached to silky hairs that aid in dispersing them on the wind.
The bark of the willows ranges from gray to brown, and is aromatic and bitter-tasting. In small plants, the bark is smooth, but may become rough and furrowed in older or larger trees. Refer to plant guides for more detailed descriptions of the various species.
Medicinal uses: The willow contains salicin, a compound used as the base in the production of aspirin. Specifically, willow is anti-inflammatory and can help relieve pain and inflammation. These properties make it useful in headaches or arthritic pain. It can also be used to help reduce pain in bladder inflammations or infections. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, willow can be used to help reduce fevers during colds or influenza. It is also helpful in some allergic reactions, such as hay fever, where it acts to reduce swelling and inflammation of membranes.
Willow is also antiseptic, and a poultice of the freshly crushed bark or twigs can be used externally for mild scratches or wounds. Varieties of poplar may be used in place of willow, as they are in the same plant family and share the same compounds.
Harvesting: Strip the bark from the tree or shrub in early spring as the new growth starts, or break off small twigs from the ends of branches. Spread the bark out to dry on screens or to other appropriate material. Bundle the twigs to hang and dry. When the plant material breaks easily, it is ready to store.
Dosages: Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried, shredded willow bark or twigs. Place in 1 cup of boiling water, and simmer at low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out plant material and drink three times a day.
- Violet
Last year I told a friend about taking violets for coughs. Her children couldn't stand the yucky taste of some of the stronger herbs, but liked the idea of using flowers as medicine. They helped their mom with the harvesting and now, each year, they scour the fields for violets to use for "flower medicine."
Description: Violets are a common spring wildflower, and numerous species occur in our region. Their habitats vary, with some species preferring damp, rich woods and meadows, while others frequent fields and roadsides. The sweet violet, Viola odorata, is the violet of herbal tradition, but others may be used in its place with similar results.
Leaves of the species vary in shape, size, and origin of growth. Some plants have only basal leaves, while others have leaves along stems also. In species where leaves occur along stems, the leaves generally grow alternately. Leaves of most species are simple, although in a few, they are deeply lobed. Plant heights vary between two to 15 inches.
Blossoms of most species are composed of five petals. The lower petal is generally larger than the rest and has a spur at its base. The color of the blossoms ranges from white to deep lavender-blue, and some species have yellow blossoms. The flowers of some species are distinctly fragrant, while others have no noticeable scent. Violets may be found in bloom from early spring to early summer.
Medicinal uses: Violet leaves and blossoms act as an expectorant and can be used in respiratory congestion to help soften mucus and remove it from the body. A syrup of violets was often used in cough preparations where its color and mild taste, along with its action on the respiratory system, made it a good base. Violets can be used for mild bronchitis or for coughs of influenza and mild colds.
Violets also work gradually to move the metabolism towards a healthy balance. They have been used as a part of a therapy program for chronic skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Because of their antiseptic properties, violets have been used externally as a poultice for skin irritations or minor wounds. The leaves and blossoms can be added to a salve for the same problems.
Harvesting: Gather the whole plants or just the leaves and blossoms when the plant is just starting to bloom. Spread out to dry on an appropriate material. If the whole plants are harvested, turn every day or so to speed thorough drying. When crumbly, store in airtight containers.
Dosages: Make an infusion by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried violet leaves and blossoms. Steep 10 minutes, then strain out plant parts. Drink three times a day. For skin conditions, crush the fresh plant, and apply directly to the area, or use dried plants in a salve.
- Elderberry
Last year's supply of elderberry flowers went to friends for fevers, especially for their children. It made a nice, good-tasting tea, with no bitterness. I dried lots to have on hand, and used the tincture in formulas for flu and colds to help break fevers.
Description : The elderberries are tall, woody-stemmed shrubs that bear profuse white or ivory blossoms and are common to moist thickets and alongside roads. The elders are found in moist soils, and the red-berried variety is often found in rocky areas. Two species of elder are used interchangeably for medicinal purposes. The common elder, Sambucus canadensis, bears tart, edible, purplish-black berries that are often used in making wild jams and jellies. The red-berried elder, Sambucus pubens, produces very acrid-tasting red berries that are known to be somewhat toxic, causing digestive upsets.
The leaves in both species are divided and sharply toothed. Each divided leaf is composed of five to 11 leaflets in the common elder, and five to seven in the red-berried elder. All leaflets are lance- or egg-shaped and are sharply pointed.
In the common elder, flowers are tiny five-lobed blossoms that are up to 1/6" wide and fragrant. They occur in a flattened cluster at the ends of leafy branches. Clusters are from two to 10 inches wide. In the red-berried variety, flowers are fragrant, 1/4" wide, with five white or ivory petals. They occur in tall, roughly triangular clusters atop terminal branches. The red-berried variety can be found in bloom first, in spring through early summer. Common elder blooms a week or so later, in early summer.
The fruit in both species is a juicy berry. In the common elder, fruit appear as flat-topped clusters of purplish-black berries, while in the red-berried species, red berries grow in pyramid-shaped clusters.
Medicinal uses: The blossoms of both species can be used as a tea to help lower fever. The herb is diaphoretic, producing a sweat and thereby allowing the body to cool in a natural way. A tea of elderberry blossoms is useful in colds or flu when temperatures are raised. The herb is especially nice to use for children, as it makes a tasty tea that works gently.
Elderberry benefits air travelers
- (Griffith University)
The negative health effects of international air travel are well documented but now it seems that the common elderberry can provide some relief.
Associate Professor Evelin Tiralongo and Dr Shirley Wee from Griffith's Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) have completed a clinical trial showing that an elderberry supplement can provide some protection from cold and flu-like symptoms following long-haul flights.
Intercontinental air travel can be stressful and affect a passenger's physical and psychological wellbeing. Whilst jet lag and fatigue remain the best known problems, holidaymakers also often experience upper respiratory symptoms.
Presenting their results at the 21st Annual International Integrative Medicine Conference in Melbourne, the research team showed how elderberry appears to reduce the duration and severity of the cold.
The randomised, double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted with 312 economy class passengers travelling from Australia to an overseas destination. Cold episodes, cold duration and symptoms were recorded in a daily diary and participants also completed surveys before, during and after travel.
"We found that most cold episodes occurred in the placebo group, but the difference between the placebo and active group was not significant. However, the placebo group had a significantly higher number of cold episode days, and the symptom score in the placebo group over these days was also significantly higher," says Associate Professor Tiralongo.
"Complementary medicines are used by two in three Australians, thus increasing the evidence base of these medicines should be at the forefront of our efforts. It's often forgotten that the evidence for various herbal medicines is extract specific," says Associate Professor Tiralongo.
The trial used capsules containing 300mg of a standardised, proprietary membrane-filtered elderberry extract which has shown to be effective in working against respiratory bacteria and influenza viruses.
The Griffith study follows recent European research published in the open access journal Current Therapeutic Research which suggests that a combination of Echinacea herb and root extract supplemented with elderberry can be as effective as the conventional antiviral medicine Tamiflu for the early treatment of influenza.
A tried and true healer: Elderberry Elixir
- By Karen Madorin
Despite the fact I had a flu shot the minute the doctor made them available, one of those germs invaded, took up residence in my ears, lungs, and sinuses, and has hung around with his buddies far too long. I’ve taken antibiotics and added a few homeopathic treatments to see if I can send this invader packing. Some of my self-care, which includes slathering Vicks on my feet and wearing cotton socks to bed, has offered comfort but not a cure. Several sympathetic friends recommended taking elderberry elixir, and one provided a bottle of his homebrew. When I looked up elderberries, it appears science agrees that syrups made from this native fruit have successfully evicted this nasty attacker and its accompanying symptoms.
The friend who gave me the tiny bottle of potent purple syrup started growing elderberries on his property so that he can manufacture enough immunity-boosting tonic to share with family and friends. After using it for several years, he swears it either prevents or reduces any number of respiratory illnesses along with other ailments. Research supports his personal anecdotes. In addition to curing these conditions, Chinese practitioners use medicines made from this plant to treat rheumatism and traumatic injuries. The bad news is that an 8 oz. bottle of elderberry syrup at a health food store dents a checking account considerably. For the same price he would have spent for tonic someone else concocted, our buddy bought plants from a local nursery to add to his landscaping and researched how to make his own brew.
Elderberries grow wild around most of Kansas so cultivating them doesn’t require extreme effort. According to our acquaintance, he planted a few roots the first year, and, in no time, they grew three to six feet high, bloomed, and produced fruit. Soon, he harvested stems full of dark purple berries, knocked the fruits loose against the sides of clean five-gallon buckets, and began simmering the plump ovals into concentrate. He’s still experimenting with the perfect recipe, but following his initial success, he’s expanded his garden.
After looking up this therapeutic powerhouse, I learned folks use both blossoms and berries to make teas, wines, cordials, tonics, jams, and syrups. This single plant probably helped many a prairie granny woman or native healer fill a medicine bag with cures for various ailments. I can see where the jams and syrups would prevent scurvy and other conditions caused by vitamin deficiencies. Before antibiotics, flus and chest colds could turn deadly, so pioneers and Native Americans welcome d a syrup that reversed or shortened symptoms.
Not only are these fruits good medicine, elderberries taste good. Anyone who likes making homemade jellies, jams, and syrups will love adding this flavor their selection. Add a pie filled with these succulent goodies to the menu and guests will salivate.
People need to know something else about this native plant. For all its benefits, those consuming it should be aware its fruits and flowers need to be fully ripe and heat processed. Individuals who consume raw products have found themselves suffering from a form of cyanide poisoning. Other wild berries produce similar concerns, so cooks need to educate themselves before tossing raw fruit in a salad.
Nearly out of my bottle of homemade elixir, I either need to find a stand of wild elderberries that I have permission to pick or take a lesson from our friend who grows his own and start my own berry garden. With such a flavorful treatment, there’s no reason to suffer through weeks of upper respiratory infections in the future.
The Benefits of Sambucus
- By Tracey Roizman, D.C. (Demand Media)
Sambucus, also known as elderberry, is found in many parts of the world and grows in climates ranging from subtropical to temperate. Its dark berries are used as a food source and for purported medicinal benefits. Consult your doctor before using sambucus or any herb to treat a medical condition.
- Antioxidant Content
Antioxidants in sambucus are what give the plant its purported medicinal benefits, according to Purdue University. These substances protect against cell damage that can lead to heart disease, cancer and other chronic health conditions, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Possessing among the highest antioxidant capacity of berries and other small fruits, elderberry offers robust ability to neutralize free radicals, highly reactive molecules that can damage cells. Content of vitamin A, an antioxidant vitamin, in American elderberry is 10 times that of cranberry and more than 10 times that of blueberry. American elderberry also contains three to four times the amount of vitamin C found in cranberry and blueberry.
- Antiviral
Antiviral benefits of sambucus may, in part, come from its ability to inhibit a protein that helps viruses, such as those that cause the flu, to attach themselves to and infect your cells. A laboratory animal study published in the September 2012 issue of the journal "Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry" found that concentrated elderberry juice stimulated the immune system and prevented influenza virus infection. Elderberry may also help you get over a flu infection quicker by promoting sweating, which helps kill pathogens, according to Rush University Medical Center.
- Diabetes Management
Elderberry may help protect against oxidation and prevent osteoporosis in diabetics, according to a laboratory animal study published in the September 2012 issue of the journal "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine." Elderberry supplementation decreased levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, or HbA1c, a marker for blood sugar levels over three months preceding the test. Elderberry also decreased oxidation of lipids; replenished levels of glutathione, an important antioxidant used by the liver to detoxify the body; and improved bone density. Researchers concluded that elderberry may be a useful natural supplement for the management of osteoporosis in diabetics.
- Reduced Blood Pressure
Elderberry, which acts as a natural diuretic, was listed among the most promising botanical products that may be useful as potential blood pressure-lowering supplements in a study published in the October 2007 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology." A combination of elderberry juice, flower extracts, berry powder and asparagus powder significantly decreased weight and blood pressure in participants of a study published in the July 2008 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy." The supplements were well tolerated and volunteers reported improved overall quality of life in addition to the physical benefits.
Wild Elderberry fruit, flowers and stems provide a lot
- By John Hageman
Even though the elderberry has long been recognized as a versatile plant used for a variety of culinary, medicinal and utilitarian purposes, it wasn’t until I found some growing along the edges of some local creeks and wetlands that I got interested in trying the berries.
While driving the countryside as the plants are blossoming in June, it's easy to spot the large white flower heads at great distances from the road. It was surprising to see how widespread these plants are on the back slope of road ditches, adjacent to railroads and in fence lines.
The foliage of all elderberry plants consists of compound, opposite, saw-toothed leaves with 3-to-13 leaflets. The thin bark easily peels away and also sports small bumps providing additional clues for its identification.
The berries and blossoms of the American elderberry — also known as the sweet, black or common elderberry — are considered to be safe to use. Most plant guides report that red elderberries are considered mildly toxic.
In July, as the berries turn from green to their mature color, it pays to frequently check the plants as harvest time approaches — because if you wait too long, birds will get most of them. There may be a week or two between the time that the first and last berries are ready.
Rather than pick each ¼ inch berry individually, it is common practice to use scissors to cut off the entire fruiting head to process at home. The stalks are brittle and break quite easily.
It is quite a trick to pull berries off of their thin, fragile stems by hand without smashing them or breaking the outer stems off the main cluster, still firmly attached to the berry.
I place the clusters into a freezer until the berries are hard. Then, I take them out and tap them on a shallow-lipped baking sheet pan, which allows many to fall off and roll to the edge. Then, I reach behind the remaining berries and carefully pull them off the stems. Sweep them with a soft brush into a container.
While every effort should be made to use soft ripe berries, a small percentage of hard, but dark berries are OK. Try to avoid using too much of the green fruit and limit the amount of the bitter woody stems.
The best way to produce the juice is through the use of a steam juice extractor. Then, it can be processed into jelly, jam and other featured fruit products. Some blend it with wild or domestic grape juice, lemonade or other fruit juice.
The berry is very high in vitamins, protein, potassium and phosphorous. Its compounds have been shown to enhance the immune system and shorten the duration of colds and flu, reduce infections and increase energy levels.
The berries are rarely sweet enough off the bush for snacking, but can be sweetened to taste for fresh use, mixed into ice cream or frozen to be used later. Some claim that uncooked berries lead to stomachaches and have to be cooked before use. Pies, pancakes and muffins are excellent ways to feature them.
Elderberries can be combined with other fruits such as blackberries, raspberries, grapes, mulberries, peaches or other favorites to create some unique blends. Other, more exotic products that elderberries are used for include ketchup, mush and a fruit scramble with pears and plums. Adding them to vinegar creates a unique salad dressing.
Most edible fruits and blossoms can be made into wine, and those provided by elderberries are no exception.
The blossoms have a fair number of recipes that have been developed, including battered and deep-fried, fritters, wine and tea. Elderberry tea has traditionally been used to address a variety of ailments such as headache, indigestion, irregularity, bladder and kidney infections, improve circulation and as a topical treatment to slow bleeding, treat burns and improve skin complexion.
Native Americans used the straight stems for arrow shafts and fire-starter sticks and by hollowing out the soft pith, made spouts to collect maple tree sap, whistles, flutes and to blow air through to fan tinder to help get a young fire going. The berries were used to dye fabric and weaved baskets or dehydrated to provide sweet nourishment all winter.
The European elder bush was traditionally planted near homes to ward off evil spirits. Folklore said lightning never strikes elderberry trees, so people sought them for shelter during a storm.
The Many Health Benefits of Elderberry
- (Care2 Healthy Living Guest Blogger)
Thousands of years ago, in ancient Greece, Hippocrates would gather elderberries, crush them, and apply the poultice to treat wounds. Elderberries were so widely used across Europe for their health-promoting properties that the “father of medicine” himself referred to them as his “medicine chest.” If he only knew…
European elder is a tree native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, and it also grows in the United States. There are several different types of elder, such as American elder, but European elder (Sambucus nigra, or Black Elder) is the type most often used as a nutritional supplement. European elder grows as either a large bush or small tree, and is characterized by clusters of dark-red berries that turn black when ripe.
- Health Benefits
Parts of the elder tree—such as the berries and flowers—have historically been used for immune stimulation, against pain, swelling, infections, coughs, and skin conditions. Current folk or traditional uses of elderberry and elder flower include flu, colds, fevers, constipation, and sinus infections.
- How Elderberries Work Their Magic
Elderberries are rich in antioxidants—substances that may help prevent or delay some types of free radical damage to cells. Free radicals can cause “oxidative stress,” a process that can trigger cell damage. Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in a variety of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Antioxidants are free-radical scavengers that have been shown to counteract oxidative stress in laboratory experiments.
Elderberries are a terrific source of polyphenols, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids. These are potent antioxidants. Polyphenols are found in many plants and gives some flowers, fruits, and vegetables their color.
- Colds and Flu
If you’re like most people, you know at least one person, maybe even yourself, that’s gotten sick with an upper respiratory infection when they fly on a plane. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention back this up—about 20 perent of all air travelers experience respiratory infections that require them to seek medical care.
Elderberry to the rescue! A study was recently published in Nutrients that followed air travelers for two years. One group was given a proprietary elderberry formula, and the other group took a placebo. If participants in either group contracted a cold, those who took the elderberry formula were sick for only 5 days, versus 7 days in the placebo group. The elderberry group also reported far less severe symptoms and experienced better overall health after their travels.
The same elderberry formula used in this trial was previously the subject of a clinical study by Dr. Christian Krawitz at the University of Giessen. In that study, the formula was found to have clear inhibitory effects against influenza A and B viruses, as well as against four bacteria known to cause upper respiratory infections.
- Blood Circulation
Vascular disease includes any condition that affects the circulatory system. The inner layer of the blood vessels is referred to as the endothelium. According to a recent study in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, elderberry anthocyanins can protect the inner layer of blood vessels from oxidative stress. The researchers concluded that elderberry extract “conferred significant protective effect against oxidative insult.” This is an important finding because the more protected the blood vessels are against oxidative stress, the greater their integrity and structure, which improves blood flow throughout the body.
- Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, a staggering 29 million Americans have diabetes. It’s no wonder that researchers are scrambling to find treatments to help manage what is fast becoming an epidemic. Traditionally, elderberry is one of many herbal treatments that have been studied to help manage blood glucose levels. For example, according to a recent study in Phytotherapy Research, substances such as naringenin and linoleic acid in elderberry juice may activate insulin-dependent uptake of glucose, which could help manage diabetes. Herbal treatments for diabetes holds promise—the World Health Organization recently called for more research to be done.
- Precautions
Because of elder flower’s possible diuretic effects, use caution if taking it with drugs that increase urination.
Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This helps to ensure coordinated and safe care.
Do not stop taking any medications prescribed by your physician unless your healthcare provider directs you to do so.
Antioxidant-Rich Elderberry Can Help with Weight Loss
- By Carl Thompson Become a fan (Research writer for IPRONA)
Effective, safe weight loss is about more than dieting. It's about maintaining a healthy lifestyle: good nutrition and often, regular exercise. But sometimes the ability to stay active can be hampered by injuries or fatigue -- and one of the main causes of such discomforts is inflammation. Luckily, elderberry can help: the fruit is among the top sources for antioxidants, which play a proven role in reducing inflammation. A dose of elderberry may help keep you on your feet and on track with your fitness and weight loss goals.
This natural substance is anything but a recent fad: the healing qualities of European black elderberry, (Sambucus nigra), have been known for thousands of years. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates called it his "medicine chest." In the Northern Europe of the middle ages, it was considered the staple of countless salves, balms, extracts and elixirs; a curative so vital that an entire book, Anatomy of the Elder, was devoted to its use -- and has recently been reissued for modern readers.
- Reducing inflammation, improving circulation
The most notable use of elderberry today has been as an ally against colds and flu: a host of studies have proven the fruit's antiviral and antibacterial properties. But recent research also points to its ability to reduce inflammation, a beneficial effect primarily due to the presence of the natural pigments, called anthocyanins, that give the elderberry its dark color.
These natural antioxidants are highly effective at destroying the free oxygen radicals increasingly created during exercise. The oxidation that results from free radicals can cause tissue and DNA damage, and has also been linked to the development of degenerative diseases such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
A 2013 study, conducted by a team of German researchers and published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that elderberry was among a range of plant extracts that significantly reduced inflammation. Researchers worked with a group of obese women on a program of exercise over the course of eight weeks. The study tracked how these women's bodies dealt with circulatory issues and inflammation. One group of women was given a placebo, and the other capsules made from plant-derived antioxidants, such as elderberry extract. Those given antioxidant capsules had markedly less inflammation and oxidative stress. They also showed significant improvement in microcirculation to the skin.
That's great news for people trying to improve their health and lose weight in a natural and safe way. Given elderberry's ability to improve the microcirculation to the skin, this means you'll also benefit from a palpable glow of health, looking younger and fresher (since one of the known causes of premature aging of the skin is poor microcirculation).
- Powerful extract
Black elderberry is readily available in a number of soluble and drinkable forms, which are a better bet than the fresh variety, according to nutrition experts. That's because a standardized commercial concentrate is made to maximize the potency of the fruit, and will tend to use the nutraceutical-rich Haschberg variety of elderberry. A high-quality, 15 per cent membrane enriched extract, for instance, is an optimal choice. It's created using a process that standardizes the natural variations in the contents of fresh berries that result from varying soil, climate, and seasonal conditions.
Yoga, walking, dancing, fitness classes or trips to the gym: there are endless ways to get up and move. However exercise, with its multiple benefits, is but part of a quest for overall health. Being able to maintain a fitness program and move freely without pain or inflammation is not only a boon to weight loss, it may well help keep up morale as well. With natural antioxidant tools like elderberry extracts, which counter any harmful effects of exercise, the quest just got even easier.
Missourians pushing elderberry as superfruit
- BY GEORGINA GUSTIN
Hartsburg, MO. • First it was the ruby red, Middle Eastern pomegranate. Then came Brazilian açaí, followed by the Himalayan goji berry.
In the past few years, a procession of "it" fruits has marched into American groceries, each bursting with antioxidants and vitamins, their respective industries say, and each as exotic and tempting to health-conscious consumers as the last.
Now, some Missouri farmers hope, the next member in this healthy fruit parade will be a deep purple, BB-sized orb that hails from more familiar terrain.
"We want to turn the elderberry into Missouri's superfruit," said Terry Durham, standing near some elderberry bushes last week. "We can create an industry right here."
An indigenous fruit that grows wild throughout much of North America, parts of Europe and North Africa, the elderberry has been deployed in folk remedies for centuries. But it was just in the past couple of years that Durham and his fellow elderberry fans saw its commercial prospects brighten.
"We didn't realize the health benefits until now," Durham said.
Four years ago, Durham planted a few acres on land he leased from friend-turned-business-partner Roger Lenhardt. Today he grows elderberries on 22 acres, making his farm the largest in the country. Within two years, Durham hopes production will more than double to 50 acres.
"There'll be fruit as far as the eye can see," he said. "This is just the beginning."
Homegrown effort
Most of the elderberries consumed in the U.S. are imported from Europe, Durham said, and are usually turned into wine or juice. There are small commercial growers in the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest and Canada, but most growers and researchers say they believe Missouri is well ahead of them, both in knowledge and volume.
"The University of Missouri has been doing research for about 12 or 13 years, and that's really put us in the forefront," said Joe Wilson, who started growing elderberries on his farm in Nevada, Mo., two years ago. "We're leading in production, too, but it's so small right now. It's like saying I have three pennies and you have two."
Durham, the driving force in Missouri's fledgling elderberry industry, is determined that will change.
He recently launched a cooperative, called River Hills Elderberry Producers, which is collecting wild and cultivated berries from growers around the state, processing them into juices and jam, and selling the products under the River Hills Harvest label. The group built a purple-roofed barn that will house a processing facility, which will be the first elderberry-dedicated facility in the country, Durham believes.
"We knew that the value in the juice was the way to go," Durham said, "and we wanted to own our own processing."
Durham and his colleagues also have started to preach the elderberry gospel.
This summer, he and university researchers conducted their fifth elderberry workshop to teach people how to grow and commercialize elderberries. The conference drew growers from 13 states and Canada.
"The first year we had eight people, then we had 32, then we had 64," Durham said. "This year we had 100."
After the conference, Durham and friends hosted the first Elderberry Festival on the farm. They built a stage under an old sycamore tree, a dance floor in the grass, and invited conference attendees and friends to camp to listen to bluegrass and celebrate the festival's namesake fruit.
"The flowers were blooming and the lightning bugs were out, all over the field," Lenhardt said. "It looked like a Hollywood marquee."
- Testing for benefits
Researchers at the University of Missouri and Missouri State University began studying elderberry production in 1997, launching the Elderberry Improvement Project with a government grant. They took more than 60 exemplary elderberry bushes from around the country and tested them for yield and health, then narrowed the field down to two promising varieties.
"We tested them for many years, and the testing is pretty involved," said Patrick Byers, a regional horticultural specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, and a lead elderberry researcher. "Two looked very good, and we're in the process of making those available in the Midwest."
The next step, Byers said, is to expand on research that demonstrates the berries' health benefits. So far, research has shown that the fruit has high levels of antioxidants, can boost immunity, can lower cholesterol and has some anti-viral properties. (The leaves and stems of the shrub are toxic; only the berries are edible, researchers say.)
But before producers tout the elderberry's "nutraceutical" promise, researchers want to know more.
"For centuries we've known elderberries possess healthy qualities. The question is: What exactly is going on?" Byers said. "...What is it about elderberries that is healthy?"
The makers of the popular pomegranate juice, POM Wonderful, were recently charged by the Federal Trade Commission with making health claims that the government said the company's research didn't adequately support. So, growers and producers of elderberries say they want to be especially cautious.
The more immediate challenge is taming a wild fruit — finding systems that will make the plants more consistent and reliable. Research and experience has given growers some management techniques, but difficulties remain with even ripening and pests.
"It's still a puzzle to get a good crop year after year," said Denis Charlebois, a researcher with the North American Elderberry Alliance. "People manage to do a good product, but growing it consistently is difficult."
Growers have the ability to mechanically plant 1,000 plants an hour. But there is no way to mechanically harvest the berries, so everything has to be picked by hand. (It takes 2,000 berries to make a pound, and 20 pounds to make a gallon of juice. River Harvest's juice retails for $12 per 11-ounce bottle.)
But a mechanical harvester is under development, and the berries yield quite a bit of juice. "It's a small berry but they can be quite productive," Byers said. "Some have yielded 8,000 pounds per acre."
For the state's estimated 25 elderberry farmers, however, the appeal of growing the fruit goes beyond yield.
Durham and Wilson interplant other native species in their elderberry fields in an effort to create a native permaculture — a sustainable, diverse agriculture of native plants.
"It's a unique opportunity in agriculture because we rarely grow native fruit," Durham says. "It's meant to grow in this environment."
He and Lenhardt walk along a row of bushes, each wearing Elderberry Festival T-shirts. They say the elderberry's time has come. "We can sell a lot of this stuff," Lenhardt says. Durham then adds: "We just need more people to grow it."
Elderberry Tonic for Cold and Flu Prevention
- Source:http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/elderberry-tonic-for-cold-and-flu-prevention-zbcz1508.aspx
- By Lyndsay Dawson Mynatt
Elderberry, Sambucus, is a seasonal berry that fruits in time for the prevention of cold and flu season. A member of the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae), elderberries are perennial shrubs with pithy stems that are typically found in valley bottoms or along streams.
Leaves are oppositely arranged on the stems with 5 to 9 strongly pointed and sharply toothed leaflets that are 2-5 inches long.
Flowers are white with many tiny flowers in clusters.
Fruit is in the form of pea-sized berries that ripen from green to dark blue or black with a waxy coating.
- Health Benefits of Elderberries
North American, European, Western Asian and North African cultures have known the medicinal properties of the elderberry plant for thousands of years. The health benefits of the plant are widespread:
- • Antioxidant
- • Lowers Cholesterol
- • Improves Vision
- • Boots Immune System
- • Improves Heart Health
- • Fights Bacterial and Viral Infections
Most notably, the fruit ripens in time to make an elixir to prevent and treat the common cold and flu.
- Elderberry Tonic Recipe
(adapted WellnessMama.com)
Tip: Freeze freshly picked elderberries in clusters after harvesting to simplify the de-stemming process.
Ingredients
- • 2/3 cup Elderberries (fresh or frozen)
- • 3-1/2 cups of water
- • 2 tbsp fresh or dried ginger root (or powder)
- • 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- • 1/2 tsp cloves or clove powder
- • 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
1. Pour water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.
2. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer until the liquid reduces to almost half (about 45 minutes to 1 hour).
3. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
4. Discard the elderberries (feed to chickens or compost) and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
5. Add 1 cup of honey and stir well. (Note: honey is added after the mixture has cooled to keep raw enzymes intact).
6. Pour mixture into glass jars to be stored in the fridge for up to three months. Recommended Doses
Prevention (can be taken daily)
1. Kids (13 months-12 years old): 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
2. Adults: 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon
Recovery
Take the normal dose every 2-3 hours until symptoms disappear.
Don’t get caught off guard by cold and flu season this year. Prepare this easy elderberry elixir for a natural alternative for flu prevention and recovery.
Special Notes:
1. NEVER give Elderberry Tonic to infants 12 months/under.
2. Elderberries can be used as any other berry for pies, jams, breads, stuffing, etc.
3. Consuming raw elderberries causes extreme GI distress in many people. Try a few berries raw before overindulging. from WellnessMama.com)
Tip: Freeze freshly picked elderberries in clusters after harvesting to simplify the de-stemming process.
Beat A Cold With This Homemade Elderberry Elixir
- By Lisa M. Rose (Rodale's Organic Life)
Forage this tasty berry, and make it into an all-natural, affordable syurp that’s proven to shorten the duration of a virus.
It’s 4 a.m. You wake up, chilled and feverish. In denial, you toss and turn, hoping that you haven’t caught that cold going around the office. Instead of ignoring the symptoms, reach for this homemade elderberry elixir. Medical research has shown that taking an elderberry-based tincture within the first 48 hours of a virus’ onset can shorten the duration of symptoms by as much as four days. Keep a stockpile of this syrup on hand for whenever illness strikes. It tastes way better than the cherry-flavored stuff, it’s all natural, and in under an hour you can make a batch large enough to keep you and your family healthy all winter long. Or if you’re too sick to make a bottle, there are store-bought versions like Urban Moonshine’s Herbal Immune Zoom that are quite nice, too.
- DIY Elderberry Elixir
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is abundant across North American, and its berries can be foraged from the wild across much of the United States. No time for foraging? Order dry elderberries online from reputable herbal sources like Mountain Rose Herbs, or choose to buy local from an herbalist in your area.
Makes 1 quart
- •1 cups dry or fresh elderberries
- •2 cups water
- •2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- •1 cup 40 percent alcohol
- •1 cup raw local honey
- •1 quart size canning jar
- Small bottles for dispensing
1. In a large saucepan, combine the water, elderberries, ginger. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, then simmer for 20 minutes. Press and strain elderberry-ginger mixture into a quart-size canning jar. Stir in 1 cup honey and 1 cup alcohol to preserve the mixture. Shake well to mix. Divide into smaller containers, if you like. The elderberry elixir will keep in the refrigerator for 6 months.
2. At the first signs of a cold or flu, take 2 tablespoons of elderberry every hour for up to 5 days.
Elderberry: a Workout Partner with Triple Benefits
- Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/carl-thompson/elderberry-health-benefits-exercise_b_8171086.html
- By Carl Thompson (Research writer for IPRONA)
Looking for a great workout partner who can get you through bouts of low energy, help you recover faster and keep you healthy? Elderberry's got you covered. Concentrated elderberry extract has long been known for its immune-boosting, cold and flu-fighting abilities -- an athlete's best ally for keeping healthy all season.
But recent studies show that elderberry has even more benefits for athletes. Rich in anti-oxidants and magnesium, elderberry can enhance physical performance, shorten recovery time and combat cell damage and aging. Furthermore, it's been shown to possess antimicrobial properties that protect athletes from illness.
- Protection from free radicals
Take a dose of elderberry before and after a workout for its antioxidant benefits, which combat the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals rob healthy cells of electrons, raiding and destabilizing them in the process. Research has found a link between exercise and the increased production of these harmful radicals: during heightened physical activity, the body's intake of oxygen can increase by as much as 1,500 per cent, leading to a proportional increase in the production of free radicals. In addition, the inflammation created by muscle damage (which causes muscle soreness after a workout), also creates free radicals, further delaying recovery.
Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals, thereby stopping the radicals from stealing these electrons from other cell components. The antioxidants, however, remain stable even after losing an electron -- which is one reason they're so important to our overall health. By reducing the level of free radicals in the body, they can help reduce post-exercise muscle damage and soreness, and enable athletes to train more often, increase endurance and gain competitive edge. Elderberry's specific antioxidant power comes from the presence of anthocyanins -- the plant compounds that give the berry its dark pigmentation. A 2014 study shows that elderberry is also a superior source of antioxidants compared to other fruit. The antioxidants derived from elderberry were shown to be 10.7 per cent more effective than black chokeberry as scavengers of free radicals.
- Rich in magnesium
Elderberry is also high in magnesium, a vital mineral that the body counts on for no less than 300 biochemical reactions. And the Haschberg variety of the European black elderberry -- of which the Italian company Iprona AG is the largest processor worldwide -- is known for a particularly high concentration.
Magnesium assists with nerve and muscle function, helps keep the immune system working, helps maintain a uniform heartbeat, and contributes to bone strength. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aids in the production of energy and protein. And combining magnesium with antioxidants may also result in less build-up of lactic acid, further shortening recovery time after a workout or major physical effort.
Iprona´s unique membrane ultra-filtration technology enriches the polyphenols and retains the magnesium, vitamins and trace elements present in the fresh elderberry fruit. Conventional chemical extraction processes only concentrate single compounds -- at the expense of many other healthy nutrients.
- Respiratory health
Breathing easy is always a factor in athletic performance. Another study, conducted in Australia, indicated that just a 600 mg-900 mg dose of a membrane filtered elderberry formula (the Haschberg variety) significantly reduced both the length and severity of colds. Those who took part in the study also experienced a benefit to their overall health due to the anti-oxidative and antimicrobial potency of this particular strain of elderberry, coupled with the high magnesium content in the extract.
Whether reducing soreness and muscle damage or staying flu-free, elderberry is a go-to health booster for any athlete. It's just one of the many natural substances rich health- and strength-giving nutrients. Available in fresh or powdered forms, it can be ingested as a lozenge or mixed into drinks or yogurt. And as science is showing us, this traditional ingredient, long known for its health benefits, is ever better for us -- and for enabling us to handle the rigors of our modern lives -- than we could have known.
Elderberry: The power fruit
- By Chris Kilham
Father Hermann Josef Weidinger conveys the contentment of a man who has performed great works.
Austria's most beloved herbal healer, the 82-year-old Catholic priest has penned a dozen books, and more than 100 botanical products bear his imprimatur. High on the list of his most favorite plants is elderberry.
"Elderberry cleanses the digestive system and promotes healthy elimination," he explains. "I believe that elderberry protects the body from serious diseases, and it balances the emotions. Elderberry is good for the soul."
Father Weidinger's reverence for elder Sambucus nigra, recalls the Austrian folk expression "tip your hat to the elder," connoting the respect that should be extended to the bush whose berries and flowers are used for health purposes. This reverence can be traced back to 400 BC when Hippocrates called elder his "medicine chest." Renowned classical healers Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Galen also declared the elder and its rich purple berries among nature's greatest healing plants. Employed for a plethora of ills from arthritis and asthma to colds and constipation, elderberries occupy an esteemed position in European plant medicine.
But elderberry is not lost in a romantic past of bygone herbalists. Today at Germany's research center for food, agriculture and forestry, Dr. Gerhard Rechkemmer is investigating the anthocyanins - purple antioxidant pigments - in elderberry. His research shows that elderberry enhances immune function by boosting the production of cytokines.
"In vitro the anthocyanins in elderberry show very high antioxidant activity. But they are extremely hard to track in blood plasma, so we do not know exactly what they are doing in the body."
When asked if he thinks that further elderberry research will reveal additional health benefits, Rechkemmer nods. "I believe so, but we must go beyond belief to certain knowledge."
With scientific examination of elderberry's biological activity underway, Austrian elderberry production is increasing rapidly due to strong market demand. At 8,000 tons of cultivated elderberry per year, Austria's commercial production is strong. Much of this is due to the work of Kurt Kaufmann, a seemingly indefatigable elderberry proponent who has organized one thousand Austrian growers into a co-op, and built Berenfrost, an immense non-profit berry freezing facility where elderberries are cooled immediately after harvest.
"In September at harvest, the elderberries must be cooled immediately, or they spoil. Here at Berenfrost elderberries are chilled to -20A,C in less than 24 hours."
I ask Kurt how much tonnage of berries he can take in on one day. "We can handle about 600 tons per day, but last year one day we took in 1,600 tons in 24 hours."
I ask him if he sleeps.
"Not during harvest," he replies with a wide smile.
Austria's Haschberg variety of elder produces a high yield of sweet, richly purple berries. After freezing at Berenfrost, the berries move into the food and beverage industry, where they are used in juices, jams, fruit yogurts and wines. Demand is also growing for high anthocyanin elderberry extracts for the nutraceutical field. Amidst this berry boom, Doctors Werner Pfannhauser and Michael Murkovic at Austria's University of Graz have conducted research showing that elderberry extract reduces oxidation of LDL cholesterol and exhibits a beneficial antioxidant effect in the body.
These results do not come as a surprise. In vitro, anthocyanins from elderberry demonstrate unusually high antioxidant activity- much greater in fact than highly touted bilberry.
"I am certain that elderberry is beneficial," notes Murcovic.
Endocrinologist Dr. Sepp Porta describes an exciting stress study he conducted using elderberry concentrate on a group of volunteers.
"We only gave these people the elderberry for 10 days," he notes with expressive hand gestures. "We put them through typical stress tests, and the results were so remarkable, I checked them over and over."
In the study, various bio-markers of stress, including glucose, magnesium and other plasma chemical levels, were analyzed. "What we found was that elderberry has this extraordinary effect for reducing stress," notes Porta. It is for this reason that researchers from the US Air Force sit with us. Elderberry may hold promise for stress reduction among military personnel.
Austria's largest elderberry producer Josef Holler smiles at Porta's words. "We are involved in a very good thing. It is good for people's lives. This is satisfying." He raises a glass of dark red Austrian wine for a toast to the noble elderberry, and we all drink to that.
Elderberry: a Workout Partner with Triple Benefits
- Source:http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/carl-thompson/elderberry-health-benefits-exercise_b_8171086.html
- By Carl Thompson
Looking for a great workout partner who can get you through bouts of low energy, help you recover faster and keep you healthy? Elderberry's got you covered. Concentrated elderberry extract has long been known for its immune-boosting, cold and flu-fighting abilities -- an athlete's best ally for keeping healthy all season.
But recent studies show that elderberry has even more benefits for athletes. Rich in anti-oxidants and magnesium, elderberry can enhance physical performance, shorten recovery time and combat cell damage and aging. Furthermore, it's been shown to possess antimicrobial properties that protect athletes from illness.
- Protection from free radicals
Take a dose of elderberry before and after a workout for its antioxidant benefits, which combat the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals rob healthy cells of electrons, raiding and destabilizing them in the process. Research has found a link between exercise and the increased production of these harmful radicals: during heightened physical activity, the body's intake of oxygen can increase by as much as 1,500 per cent, leading to a proportional increase in the production of free radicals. In addition, the inflammation created by muscle damage (which causes muscle soreness after a workout), also creates free radicals, further delaying recovery.
Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals, thereby stopping the radicals from stealing these electrons from other cell components. The antioxidants, however, remain stable even after losing an electron -- which is one reason they're so important to our overall health. By reducing the level of free radicals in the body, they can help reduce post-exercise muscle damage and soreness, and enable athletes to train more often, increase endurance and gain competitive edge. Elderberry's specific antioxidant power comes from the presence of anthocyanins -- the plant compounds that give the berry its dark pigmentation. A 2014 study shows that elderberry is also a superior source of antioxidants compared to other fruit. The antioxidants derived from elderberry were shown to be 10.7 per cent more effective than black chokeberry as scavengers of free radicals.
- Rich in magnesium
Elderberry is also high in magnesium, a vital mineral that the body counts on for no less than 300 biochemical reactions. And the Haschberg variety of the European black elderberry -- of which the Italian company Iprona AG is the largest processor worldwide -- is known for a particularly high concentration.
Magnesium assists with nerve and muscle function, helps keep the immune system working, helps maintain a uniform heartbeat, and contributes to bone strength. It also helps regulate blood glucose levels and aids in the production of energy and protein. And combining magnesium with antioxidants may also result in less build-up of lactic acid, further shortening recovery time after a workout or major physical effort.
Iprona´s unique membrane ultra-filtration technology enriches the polyphenols and retains the magnesium, vitamins and trace elements present in the fresh elderberry fruit. Conventional chemical extraction processes only concentrate single compounds -- at the expense of many other healthy nutrients.
- Respiratory health
Breathing easy is always a factor in athletic performance. Another study, conducted in Australia, indicated that just a 600 mg-900 mg dose of a membrane filtered elderberry formula (the Haschberg variety) significantly reduced both the length and severity of colds. Those who took part in the study also experienced a benefit to their overall health due to the anti-oxidative and antimicrobial potency of this particular strain of elderberry, coupled with the high magnesium content in the extract.
Whether reducing soreness and muscle damage or staying flu-free, elderberry is a go-to health booster for any athlete. It's just one of the many natural substances rich health- and strength-giving nutrients. Available in fresh or powdered forms, it can be ingested as a lozenge or mixed into drinks or yogurt. And as science is showing us, this traditional ingredient, long known for its health benefits, is ever better for us -- and for enabling us to handle the rigors of our modern lives -- than we could have known.
Fight Cold And Flu The Natural Way With Elderberry
- By Carl Thompson
News of the upcoming flu season includes an unsettling statistic: as of early November only 39 per cent of the U.S. population had gotten a flu vaccine, according to the Center for Disease Control.
One reason is that flu season has been relatively mild so far this year, but that's likely to change. An annual research project forecasts that flu season is likely to peak in February, as the temperature drops and the air becomes more cold and dry. How can we protect ourselves from this inevitable onslaught of flu and colds? One proven, natural way is with regular doses of elderberry, a fruit known for its health-giving and preventative powers since ancient times.
Recent studies have confirmed that elderberry can bolster immunity, counter flu and cold symptoms, and is particularly beneficial when dealing with respiratory infections. While synthetic pharmaceuticals focus on dealing with infections after they have developed -- and may have negative side effects as well -- elderberry has natural stopping power.
The fruit's potency lies in the pigments that give the berry its nearly black color. The darker the color, the richer the pigments, scientists have found -- which means that these dark fruits -- particularly in the European Haschberg variety of black elderberry -- are filled with natural healing power. Formed in groups of molecular chains known as anthocyanins, these pigments have been found to be capable of preventing viruses from reproducing and infecting new cells. They also kill many of the bacteria that cause chest and respiratory infections.
A recent two-year study conducted in Australia (soon to be published) found that extract from the European elder (Sambucus nigra L.) also shortened the duration of cold and flu symptoms. When a group of long-distance air travelers were divided into two groups, with one (154 people) taking a placebo and the other (158 people) taking a propriety elderberry extract, the group given elderberry showed far better results.
After taking daily doses of 600 to 900 milligrams of elderberry extract for 15 days, they showed half the rate of respiratory infection, reported being sick for only half as long, and had symptoms that were half as severe as those who did not take the extract. Moreover, they also reported better health overall.
The study's findings verified with modern science what centuries of healing traditions have long understood about elderberry's impact on colds and flu. But the Australian study was also noteworthy as it factored in the atmosphere of airplanes -- cold, and dry. The same environment has been shown to play a role in our vulnerability to colds and flu as well.
It turns out that the colder and drier the air, the more susceptible we are to respiratory infections. As we come into contact with cold air -- whether by breathing it in or via skin contact -- our core temperature is reduced. As a result, the blood vessels in the protective mucous tissues of our respiratory system constrict -- and that makes it more difficult for the immune system to respond to invading bacteria and viruses.
A recent study also found that cool, dry air also allows cold and influenza viruses to survive longer outside the body than they do during summery conditions. An apt example is found in a simple sneeze. One sneeze produces about 40,000 droplets of mucous, which exit the mouth and nose at 62 miles an hour and can travel a distance of 52 feet.
A virus contained in droplets can survive for up to 24 hours if it lands on a hard surface in a cold and dry environment with an ambient temperature of about 41 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity between 35 to 50 per cent. In these conditions, the rate in which colds and influenza are passed from one individual to another thus increases significantly.
Given these findings, seeking natural preventatives and health-boosting options seems more pertinent than ever. And given that there are up to five million cases of severe respiratory illness in the world in a given year, according to the World Health Organization, it may be a good time to turn to nature's pharmacy. So the next time you hear a sneeze (or a cough) nearby, consider adding elderberry to your medicine cabinet, and you'll be well prepared for the coming season.
Healthy Living cooking series begins for 2016
- (Staff Report)
KANNAPOLIS — The New Year often allows time to reflect on lifestyle choices that can lead to a happier, healthier life.
The Healthy Living Cooking Series, offered by N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI), focuses on disease prevention and healing through food choices and preparation methods.
Aubrey Mast, Extension associate in nutrition, at PHHI at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis, will lead the three-part series, to be held Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., Jan. 27, Feb. 3 and 10.
Because cooking demonstrations and sampling are an integral part of the series, the classes will be held in the Community Kitchen at Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA), 300 Mooresville Road, Kannapolis.
The series is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so registration is required. Reserve a spot by calling 704-250-5400 or emailing phhi_info@ncsu.edu.
Mast incorporates research-based information about food crops studied at the Plants for Human Health Institute and the health-related findings of her colleagues.
Topics covered include prebiotics and probiotics, gut microflora, inflammation, pH, preservation and fermentation.
Each week will include a lecture, discussion and a cooking demonstration and tastings using whole food ingredients.
Participants will take home recipe cards and samples of the prepared dishes to help them integrate these healthy choices into their meal planning and preparation.
While PHHI has researched more than 20 food and herb crops, including favorites such as blueberries, sweet potato and watermelon, some of the crops may be less familiar. The health benefits, however, may entice class participants to consider new foods or new preparation methods.
An example of a more obscure crop is elderberry. Elderberries have been a folk remedy for centuries, but have also been the focus of research by PHHI scientists, as the beneficial plant compounds are analyzed more closely.
Fruit extracts from elderberries (Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis) demonstrated bioactivity that inhibited the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis — essentially, elderberries have anticancer properties.
Elderberry syrup and elderberry tea are two common methods of elderberry consumption. Elderberries can be found in health food stores dried, as a tincture, or as a syrup.
Elderberry Tea
1/2 cup dried elderberries
2 cups water
2 Tbsp. honey
Boil. Steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Drain elderberries. Enjoy hot or cold.
The N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute is leading the discovery and delivery of innovative plant-based solutions to advance human health.
N.C. Cooperative Extension is the outreach component of the institute, which is part of the N.C. Research Campus, a public-private venture including eight universities, one community college, the David H. Murdock Research Institute and corporate entities.
that collaborate to advance the fields of human health, nutrition and agriculture. Learn more at www.plantsforhumanhealth.ncsu.edu.
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Stems of the Elder Tree, Sambucus
Trunk of the elder Tree
Bark of the elder tree
Shoot with lenticels
Tiny Elder Tree shoot
Core of the Elder Tree branch
Damaged by Myodes glareolus
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Flora / Flowers of the Elder Tree
Sambucus Nigra Flowers
Flowers
Sambucus Nigra
Sambucus Nigra
Sambucus Nigra
Sambucus Nigra
Flowers and green fruit
The Elderberry: Fructus / Fruits of the Elder Tree
Fruits of the European Elder Tree (Sambucus Nigra)
Green Elder berries
Green fruit
Elderberry bunch
Sambucus Nigra - Europeon elder Tree berries
Elder Berries
