Elderberries for Taste and Health

Hardy shrub or small tree reaching up to 12 feet in height with shallow roots. The mature bark is light brown to gray, but the young branches are green. Leaves are ovate, densely serrate, odd 3-7 pinnate, green on the topside and blue-green underneath. The flowers, which bloom in June, range from creamy white color to yellow and possess a strong scent. Individually, they are small 5-petaled flowers, but grow in large umbrels that measure up to 8 inches in diameter and face upwards. The berries are violet to black in color with dark, red juice and face downwards when ripe.

The elder flowers in June in large, flat plates of flowerheads (called umbrells) made up of many tiny cream-white flowers. If you make sure they are clean of bugs, they can be eaten sraight off the branches on a hot summers day.

Uses:

The first shoots of the Common Elder boiled like asparagus, and the young leaves and stalks boiled in fat broth, do mightily carry forth phlegm and choler. The middle or inward bark boiled in water, and given in drink works much more violently; and the berries, either green or dry, expel the same humour, and are often given with good success to help the dropsy; the bark of the root boiled in wine, or the juice thereof drank, works the same effects, but much more powerfully than either the leaves or fruit. The juice of the root taken, mightily procures vomiting, and purges the watery humours of the dropsy... Nicholas Culpeper, 17th century herbalist

The berries can be considered ripe when the clusters begin to turn upside down. Avoid picking berries that have become over-ripe. Wash well and strip from the stalks using a dining fork. The berries can be added to apple pie (40 elderberries:60 apple) or blackberry jam (50:50). The elderberry is often known as the Englishman's grape, and it's nutritional values show that it is similar to the grape and more so...

This is a comparison chart of the nutrients found in grapes compared to elderberries.

Recipes:

• Elderberry Jam and Jelly Recipes.
• Basic Elderberry Flower Lemonade.
• Elderberry Cordial.
• Basic Elderberry Wine.
• Pontack Sauce.

Warnings: Do not use any parts of this shrub except the flowers and the berries. There are no known health risks associated with the use of this herb when it has been cooked.