Imagine a plant that provides wine and champagne, cough medicine and flu remedies, weaving needles and musical instruments. The elder tree, a member of the honeysuckle family, provides all of those things and more. A mainstay of herbal medicine since the time of Hippocrates and Pliny, the elderberry and the tree on which it grows have a long history in folk medicine and a growing respect among modern scientists.
Features
The European and American elders grow in temperate zones in North America and Europe. They flower from May to August, and the fruit appears in late summer and early autumn. The various species of the Sambucus genus range in size from 4 feet to 20 feet tall. Most have white or cream-colored flowers called umbrels. At least one hybrid, Elderberry Black Lace, features deep purple flowers. The best known elderberry trees are the Sambucus nigra, which is native to Europe, and the Sambucus canadensis, more commonly called American elder.
Medicinal Uses
Elderberries, elder flowers and elder leaves all have medicinal properties, though they have different uses. Germany's Commission E, a government agency responsible for approving herbal remedies, approves elder flowers to treat coughs, colds and other respiratory problems. Both the berries and the flowers appear to have antioxidant properties, according to a report on black elder from the University of Texas-El Paso.
A standardized extract of elderberry leaves has proved effective in treating flu symptoms. In a double-blind study conducted during a 1993 flu outbreak at an Israeli kibbutz, 93 percent of patients taking the elderberry extract reported significant improvement in flu symptoms four days sooner than those taking a placebo.
Elderberry juice and extract may reduce stress, according to an article published in Better Nutrition magazine in October 2000, as well as limit the damage done by LDL--bad cholesterol. The author cites studies conducted in Italy and Austria that seem to show the purple berry's antioxidant properties.
Culinary Uses
Country cooks have baked elderberries into pies and made elderberry jams and jellies for centuries. Elder flower fritters are a country delicacy, made by dipping fresh, cleaned elder flowers into batter and deep-frying them. The best-known culinary use of elderberry, however, is probably elderberry cordial and wine, which were originally taken medicinally. Elder flowers also make a light, citrus-tasting wine infusion called elder flower champagne, as well as elder flower tea.
Cosmetic Uses
The Romans dyed their hair black with elderberry juice, notes Maud Grieve in her 1931 book, "A Modern Herbal." Grieve also gives a recipe for making elder flower water, which she writes is "mildly astringent and a gentle stimulant." It was historically used to make eye and skin lotions, and to keep the complexion clear. She also recommends elder flower water added to the bath to soften the skin. You can buy shampoo and soap made with elderberry extract from many natural product distributors.
Warning
Raw elderberries and elderberry leaves contain a chemical called sambunigrin, which may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Do not ingest uncooked elderberries. No studies have been done to establish the safety of elderberry extract for pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor before using herbal products to be sure they will not interact with medications you are taking.
References
- "101 Medicinal Herbs"; Steven Foster; 1999
- Better Nutrition journal; "Elderberry Herbal Medicine Chest?"; Chris Killham; October 2000
- University of Texas El Paso: Black Elder
- Botanical.com: A Modern Herbal--Elder
- Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine; "Inhibition of Several Strains of Influenza"; Zakay et al; winter 1995
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