The nutritional value of the common elderberry, sambucus canadensis, is similar to the grape, but significantly higher in vitamin C, niacin, and protein.
Medicinal Properties
The flowers and fruits are medicinal. Hippocrates recognized this in 400 B.C. (He used a smaller, European species with similar properties that doesn't grow in America.)
Due to their diuretic and detoxifying properties, elderberries have been eaten to aid in weight loss. The flowers have been used in cosmetics since ancient times. Distilled elder flower water is believed to soften and tone the skin. An infusion of elder flowers is believed to lighten freckles and soothe sunburn. Its bioflavonoids promote circulation and strengthen blood vessels.
An infusion or tincture mixed with yarrow and peppermint has been used for colds, flu, and asthma. Herbalists have also used it to soothe children's upset stomachs and relieve gas. It's been applied externally for swelling, rashes, and chilblains (frostbite-like trauma to wet skin), and as an eyewash for conjunctivitis and eye inflammation. The flowers can be steeped in oil to make a lotion for sore muscles, burns, and rashes.
Like the flowers, an infusion of elderberry is astringent and diaphoretic. It is used to treat colds and flu, relieve excessive mucus, and sore throat. The berries can also be boiled in vinegar to make a black hair dye.
Legend has it that in 1899, an American sailor accidentally discovered that cheap port wine, which is colored with elderberries, relieved his arthritis. Other port wines didn't work. This result indicates the elderberry's possible anti-arthritic properties. Elderberries have antioxidant properties and are believed to be useful in cancer prevention.
According to the 17th century herbalist Nicholas Culpepper: "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..."
Elderberry Wine is Not Just a Song by Elton John
Elderberries (or the oil or flowers) and star anise (or liquorice root) are used to make the italian liquor, sambuca, and the berries are also used to make elderberry wine.
(A simple wine recipe that can be used for any fruit)
- 2-3 lb. fruit
- 2-3 lb. sugar
- 3 gallons water
- 1 yeast cake
- yeast energizer, captain and yeast nutrient.
- Put them in a vat (5 gallon pail) until the fermentation stops (about 7 to 10 days).
- Rack it off into wine bottles (gallons).
- Let it sit for three weeks.
- Rack it off again and let it sit for 3 months.
- Then rack if off again and let it age for as long as you can wait.
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