Elderberry

Locations
Found in warmer parts of Europe and North America. It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations. Commonly associated with water.

How to Identify
Characteristics: The flowers are in flat corymbs (flower clusters whose lower stalks are proportionally longer so that the flowers form a flat or slightly convex head - dense flattop) and the berries are small and black to dark blue, growing in a parachute-like formation. They are larger shrubs, reaching 10 - 26 feet tall, occasionally small trees up to 49 feet tall and with a stem diameter of up to 12 - 24 inches. Elderberry has opposite compound leaves, feathery. Most of the veins on the leaf either fade after leaving the midrib or terminate at the tip of the teeth (which are small and feathery), not in the notches. Elderberry bark is brown and woody with small brown flecks or notches on it. Elderberries are perennials.

Uses
FOOD USES: The flowers of Sambucus nigra are used to produce elderflower cordia. Elderberry syrup is used in many drinks throughout central, eastern, and southeastern Europe. This syrup is also used to make elderberry marshmallows. In Germany, yoghurt desserts are made with both the berries and the flowers. The flowerheads are often used in infusions. In Romania, a slightly fermented soft beverage (called "socata" or "suc de soc") is traditionally produced by letting the flowers macerate, with water, yeast and lemon for 2-3 days. Both flowers and berries can be made into elderberry wine.

UTILITARIAN USES: Branches have been used to make fujara, koncovka and other uniquely Slovakian flutes. The foliage is very pungent in smell and has been tied to horses’ manes to keep away flies.

MEDICINAL USES: Used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis. Stembark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and root extracts are used to treat bronchitis, cough, upper respiratory cold infections, fever. Elderberry juice was used to treat a flu epidemic in Panama in 1995 (effective against Influenza B). Elderberry is very effective against the flu; a study published in 2004 asserts that 93% of flu victims were completely symptom free in two days, while those not given Elderberry continued showing symptoms for six days. Bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice inhibit the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell. Studies show that elderberry anthocyanins enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines (small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by numerous cells and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication). Flowers can be used to make an herbal tea, if you simmer the dry flowers for 15 minutes and then strain them. The medicinal Jelly Ear Fungus often grows on the Elderberry shrubs and trees. Elderberry provides nourishment for wild game such as elk and deer and for small birds including hummingbirds and warblers.

Cautions & Look Alikes
Elderberry is often mistaken with the lethally toxic Water Hemlock, which is the most deadly plant in North America. All parts of this plant are toxic. Water Hemlock is distinct in that it has ALTERNATE compound leaves which are coarse and toothy, while the Elderberry has OPPOSITE compound leaves which are feathery. The teeth on the Elderberry leaf are small, and the veins are quite light in color. The veins fade or terminate at the tips of the teeth. The teeth on the Water Hemlock are larger than on the Elderberry leaf. The veins terminate in the distinct notches on the Water Hemlock leaf. The Water Hemlock grows only up to two to seven feet tall, and cannot survive in dryer areas. Therefore, while both Elderberry and Water Hemlock can grow on quite damp ground and are associated with water, one is less likely to find a Water Hemlock growing on dryer ground than Elderberry. Elderberries are shrubs, so they have bark which is green and smooth when young but grow to be rough and brown. Water hemlock has reeds with nodes. Often streaked and splotched with purple. The main stem of a Water Hemlock is hollow.

Pokeberries and Elderberries can also be mistaken for one another. Elderberries are tiny and grow in small clusters, while Pokeberries are the size of peas with a dent in the middle of the berry. Elderberries grow in umbrella like clusters, while Pokeberries hang in a long thin cluster. The stems of Elderberries are thin and woody with brown flecks, while the stems of pokeberries are purply red.

Elderberry can be dangerous in itself. The wood is toxic and has poisoned folks who have made whistles out of the green wood. Unripe elderberry fruit is toxic. The ripe fruit is better used dried, cooked or made into wine or jelly than consumed raw, as the berries may be mildly poisonous if consumed raw. The leaves, twigs, branches, seeds and roots can contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside.

Helpful External Information
Eat The Weeds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXFVfQMfZ8w

Making Elderberry Syrup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOYzWyFGkqM

Making Elderberry Wine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMzdLIGlmFI

Sources: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-elderberry.html http://www.herbalrootszine.com/articles/elderberry-vs-pokeberry/ http://www.eattheweeds.com/ufos-2/look-alikes/elderberry-or-water-hemlock/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus_nigra