Let’s talk about the Elderberry, Sambucus nigra and S. canadensis immune support.
The Elderberry tree is in the Adoxaceae, mosschatel family.
Elder is one of the most traditionally used immune support herbs. The Elder is a common staple in the apothecary and garden. Not to mention it is a beautiful tree to grow. The S. nigra is native to most of Europe, northwest Africa Southwest Asia regions.
Sambucus canadensis, commonly called American elder, is native to eastern North America. It is a deciduous, somewhat sprawling, suckering shrub that typically grows to 5-12’ tall. It typically occurs on streambanks, moist woodlands, thickets, fence rows and roadsides throughout the State of Mississippi. Tiny lemon-scented white flowers appear in large flat-topped clusters (cymes to 10” across) in June.
I have an herbal friend share with me a method of identifying S. canadensis from S. nigra by counting the leaflets on the leaf. I have practiced this over the past few years. At this time, for me, I can say this is not a consistent method of identifying our true native species S. canadensis. At times in my garden, I can see a difference in the trees but not enough to claim distinctions.
Identification is important as Elder has a few look-alikes. I have seen Pokeweed, Devils’ Stick and other berries are mistaken for the sought out elderberry. Elder does have to tell, tell signs of who she is. It thrives in rich soil, like moist areas. There typically a lot of them growing together. The bark starts green and then goes brown. Tender with raised lenticels. Elderflower clusters can be harvested from the tree as they come into bloom and then garbled from the flower cluster stems. Be sure to only remove a few clusters so that the tree can produce berries later in the year! There are two forms of elder, those with blackberries (S. nigra and S. canadensis) and those with red berries (S. racemosa); the red is smaller and somewhat toxic, while the blackberries are slightly larger and edible. Elderberries should be fully ripe before harvesting. Do not pick green or unripe berries. Unripe berries contain cyanogenic glycoside. Harvest the berry stalk and then separate the berries from the stems. Black elder particularly likes its feet in moist soil so you will often find it growing near creeks, river, or wetlands, but it also grows in forest gaps, fields, roadsides, farmyards, and suburban gardens. Around our area Elder is popular around powerlines and farm field ditches. Sadly, these Elder have been exposed to pesticides and other chemicals used in weed control and farming. I find with love, lots of water and time Elder can be established anywhere except in the pond areas that stay submerged.
Let’s talk about Elders Medicinal actions. The Berry: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, immune stimulant; Flower: Alterative, anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine.
Elderflower is commonly used to address colds and influenza with a specific indication for catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, including hay fever, sinusitis, and tonsillitis. Elderflower has been used for viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. One study observed the antiviral activity of elderflower in a formula with St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) aerial parts, and soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) root against influenza viruses A and B both in vivo and in vitro, and against herpes simplex type I in vitro. An ideal herb to draw from either at the onset of a cold or the flu or after a virus has already taken root, elderflower helps clear signs of heat in the respiratory system and promotes sweating through its diaphoretic action.
Its anticatarrhal action can help reduce excessive amounts of mucus production and restore the mucosa to moderate levels. This is one of the reasons elderflower is used for both acute and chronic forms of bronchitis. The flavonoids rutin and quercetin in elderflower are the constituents that lend elderflower its anti-inflammatory action. Rutin and quercetin make elderflowers also useful for allergic and inflammatory conditions of the upper respiratory tract including rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, and asthma.
Like elderflower, elderberry is also an exceptional ally during colds, the flu, and respiratory infections due to its immune stimulant and antiviral actions. Elderberry tincture or syrup is a mainstay in many an herbalist’s apothecaries as the go-to herb at the very initial signs of a cold or the flu. The studies speak for themselves the amazing abilities Elder has to increase our immune systems.
Elderberry has been the subject of numerous research studies. In one placebo-controlled, double-blind study, significant improvements in flu symptoms were seen in 93.3% of an elderberry-treated group of individuals. Only 91.7% of the patients in the control group showed improvement within 6 days. An in vitro study of elderberry extract and H1N1 flu infection identified the antiviral components of elderberry and established that Elderberry flavonoids bind to H1N1 viruses and, when bound, block the ability of the viruses to infect host cells. The researchers concluded that the H1N1 inhibition activities of the elderberry flavonoids compare favorably to Tamiflu and Amantadine.
Let’s talk about Elder’s toxic properties as well. Elder bark, leaves, roots, seeds, and unripe berries are considered toxic (they may cause nausea, diarrhea, and depression of the central nervous system) due to the presence of cyanide-producing glycosides called sambunigrin. (American Botanical Council, 2004). Fresh elderberries also contain cyanogenic glycosides; however, the ripe fresh berries are considered safe unless consumed in high quantities or by someone sensitive to the compounds in the plant (Buhner, 2013). Cooking or drying elderberries reduces the cyanogenic glycoside content (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).
Let’s talk about preparations. The all famous syrup, my favorite tincture, infusions, decoctions, compress, mead, wine, honey, and vinegar. Not to forget the children’s favorite gummies!
Decoction: 4-6 g dried berry/day divided into 1-3 doses; Tincture: 4-6 mL (1:2, 25%) 4-6x/day
Tincture: Flowers fresh 1:2, Berries dried 1:4
Syrups: immune tonic 5ml, 3x daily, acute infections 10ml every 2 hours up to five days.
Let’s make a Recipe: Simple Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
3 cups of filtered water
180 grams of dried organic or ethically wild-harvested elderberries
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
5-6 whole cloves
1 stick of organic cinnamon
1 cup of local organic unpasteurized raw honey
Directions: Bring herbs and water to a boil and simmer gently for 35-45 minutes, or until 2 cups of liquid remains. Keep a close eye on this decoction while it simmers lest it evaporates entirely! To make a clinically recommended concentration we need a 38% extraction. Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Strain herbs through a fine mesh filter or several layers of cheesecloth over a bowl or wide-mouth jar. Press the plant material (marc) to squeeze out every last drop of decoction. Pour into a quart-sized glass jar. Stir the honey into warm room temperature liquid. Mix well. Label, refrigerate and use within 4 months. Again, Refrigeration is required. To use, take 10ml every 2 hours at the first sign of a viral infection.
Stay well this winter!