The first herb that captured my imagination and my taste buds was Elder (Sambucus nigra). I was twelve years old, and it was the first summer at my grandparents new home in rural Ontario.  My grandfather called me to the backyard to meet him near the lake bayou.  There, growing elegantly amidst wild grasses was an old Elder tree. Before my grandfather even told me about this elegant tree used medicinally in his native home of Germany, I was in love.  I was in love with its slender bark, soft leaves, and deep purple-black berries.  In its presence, I grew quiet and felt myself drift into what I now know is plant communion consciousness. This was the first time I was aware of a plant communicating with me.  I knew the essence of what my grandfather was about to share: "Traditionally, the flowers are used to cool a fever and the aches of arthritis" he said.  "The berries make the most delicious cough syrup, it fills up that empty place inside that makes you vulnerable to sickness: it'll stop a cold in its tracks if you take it when you're tired.  Just don't cut the tree down, or the Hydemoder will come and get you." The Hydemoder is a Fairy that is said to live in the wood of this tree, some say preparing to guide the beloved dead to the other side of the veil.

Elder is indeed protective against colds.  This study from 2009 states, "flavonoids from the elderberry bind to the H1N1 virus and, when bound, block the ability of the viruses to infect host cells."
In clinical practice, I've consistently seen the benefits of Elderberry shortening the duration of infection such as the common cold or influenza, and observed its protective benefits. The emergency room nurses in my practice report that if they take Elderberry syrup regularly they don't get their usual 2-3 colds a season. And notably, for the public health workers in my practice who do get sick, they all credit Elderberry for reducing the duration and the severity of illness.

An old German name for the Elder tree is Holunder, referring to the ancient Earth Goddess called by the same name.  Tree worship was common all over Europe, and the Elder tree was among those most sacred to the people and their Gods.  The Fairy that lives within her bark is the protectress of the tree, and cutting the Elder down makes her angry.  Planting an Elder near one's home is protective as the Fairy watches over the people who plant the tree. Plus, the home dwellers could benefit from the medicine of the tree's flowers and berries, gathering them to quell a fever, ease arthritic pain, respiratory illnesses, fatigue from prolonged sickness, and increase overall resistance when immunity is compromised.  Here are some Elderberries that my grandmother harvested and mailed to me last summer from the very same Elder tree I met over two decades ago. When I opened the package, I was deeply moved. I love that she knew the significance of this tree for me. Here they are:

The berries are sour, astringent and slightly sweet.  Astringent herbs dry up mucous membranes and tone tissue. 
 This is a helpful herb for those who suffer from recurrent sinus infections and those for whom every cold turns into a prolonged, annoying, unrelenting upper respiratory infection.
It's one of my all-time favourite herbs for the rundown individual (adult or child) who gets cold after cold, suffers from chronic runny noses, and may have colds turn to bronchitis, and suffer from chronic sinus infections.

This is an important herb for seasonal allergies too.  Begin taking this herb daily six weeks before the start of your allergy season. Combined with Nettle, these two herbs together can significantly reduce - or in some cases, I've seen even eliminate - seasonal allergies.

I also use Elderberry extracts for the treatment and prevention of ear infections (taken orally, not administered in the ear) and herpes virus. I use it to support children's immune systems at the onset of chicken pox and respiratory illness.  While I haven't used it for eye health in my clinic, Elderberry is reputed to strengthen the eyes.  This seems logical given how the berries are rich in flavonoids.

Flavonoids are chemical compounds found in many plants that have an anti-inflammatory action, reducing swelling, pain, and improving the health of tissue.  Flavonoids strengthen blood vessels and capillaries.  The beauty of Elderberry is that it's not an immune stimulant, but rather a modulator, which makes this plant safe for those with auto-immune diseases.

Elderberries can be enjoyed as tea, tincture, elixir, cough syrup, and made into an oxymel (see recipe below).  An oxymel is a mixture of herbs soaked in a combination of honey and vinegar. This is a great alternative for adults or children who want to avoid alcohol. I also like oxymels because they contain less sweetener than syrup. The added benefit of preparing an oxymel is it makes for a great method of delivery for those who forget to take tinctures or who find teas too much of a hassle - just pour the oxymel all over everything you eat! It's delicious, easy to assemble, and relatively inexpensive to make.

I love Oxymel's because they are so quick to make. The vinegar and honey act as solvents, extracting important vitamins, minerals and plant compounds. Both apple cider vinegar and honey are medicinal all on their own. Apple cider vinegar is a naturally fermented product. The good bacteria working their magic on the elderberries.

Elderberry Oxymel 

5-minute recipe

Ingredients:

Elderberries
Honey
apple cider vinegar

Equipment:
1 litre or 1 pint canning jar with a lid
measuring cup
spoon
label
wax paper to line the lid of the jar

Instructions:

Place one cup of elderberries into a wide-mouthed jar.

Warm (but don't cook) 2 cups of vinegar to 1 cup of honey until well combined.

Pour over the elderberries.

Mix, and taste it.

If it tastes too sour for your liking then add more honey by the half cup.

Some people even prefer equal parts honey to vinegar. I like sour things so I tend to add less honey. Adjust the ratio to your personal preference.

Place the piece of wax paper over the opening of the jar to avoid contact between the metal ring of the canning jar and the vinegar (otherwise it’ll rust). Fasten the lid.

Shake vigorously. Label. Let it sit in a dark cupboard or tucked on the kitchen counter for a minimum of 10 days. Shake daily.

The oxymel is ready to use within 10 days though some like to let it macerate for a full month.  When it is finished, strain, bottle, label, and enjoy.  Oxymels do not need to be refrigerated although you can store it in the fridge for a longer life.  Either way, ideally consume within one year.

Use your Elderberry oxymel daily by the Tablespoon for a wellness shot, in a base of salad dressings or added to water (it's great with soda water!)

The beauty of herbal medicine is it's delicious, as well as nutritious.

DOSAGE: For prevention and health maintenance adults take 2-4 TBSP daily and children take 2-4 tsp daily.  At the first onset of illness, or during illness, adults take 2TBSP every two hours, and children over 4 take 2tsp every two hours until relief.  Always consider consulting with a qualified practitioner if you are unsure of safety or dosage.  Children under 2 years old are required to avoid honey. If in doubt, reach out to a qualified health practitioner.

 
Elderberry Syrup Recipe 

Syrups are basically a concentrated tea with sweetener added to make it more palatable and lengthen the shelf-life. Alcohol is sometimes added to make it even more shelf-stable.

Equipment:

A pot with a well-fitted lid

You can make this formula with just elderberries. Or, you can add other favourite herbs which are complementary.

1 cup of the following fresh or dried herbs: elderberries, rose hips, elecampane root, burdock, thyme, marshmallow

Kitchen scale 

Measuring cup

Wooden spoon 

Honey

Brandy (optional)

Clean bottle for finished product

Label

The ratio of herb to water for a syrup decoction is 1 part herb to 4 part water.

• Place 1 cup of dried herbs into a saucepan
• Cover with 4 cups of cold water
• Cover the container and bring your brew slowly to a boil
• Once brought to boil, remove lid
  Decrease the heat and simmer it for 1-2 hours
• Strain, and place the liquid back in the pot to simmer, and reduce to 2 cups
• Once reduced, pour the decoction into a measuring cup to see exactly how much liquid you have.
• Place it back into the saucepan to keep warm, and add that exact amount of honey. For example, if you liquid measures exactly 1.5 cups, add 1.5 cups of honey.
• Add the honey to sweeten, stirring to combine well.
• Traditionally, most syrup recipes add the sweetener to the decoction at the ratio of 2:1 (so 500ML honey to 250ML decoction). This makes for a VERY sweet syrup, however it also makes it shelf stable.
  I prefer my syrup recipes at a 1:1 ratio, so 250ml decoction to 250ml honey. The consistency is fairly nice, and I've never had a bottle spoil.
• Taste it once combined. If you'd like it to be a little sweeter, go ahead and add honey to taste.
• If you want a really thick syrup, GENTLY heat it further until you reach the desired consistency.
• Take it off the stove and add 6 TBSP of brandy (optional but encouraged for shelf-life stability).
• Brandy is added for flavour and further preservation action.  It’s also a gentle muscle relaxant which is helpful if you are making a cough syrup
• Pour the syrup into a clean jar with a lid, label it with ingredients and the date.
• Dose: For adults use 1 TBSP 1 time a day for prevention, or up to 8 times a day when illness strikes. For children, 1 tsp a day for prevention or 1 tsp 6 times a day while sick. Please consult with a qualified health practitioner before giving to children under 5 years of age. Always consult with a qualified health provider if you are on medication.

Seraphina