Bear in mind that well-meaning folks will caution against using red elderberry species. Stephen Buhner, who has presented some of the most comprehensive reviews of studies done on elder, notes that Native Americans and people throughout the world have used both the blue/black and the red species for food and medicine. (He also shared a rather humorous method for remembering which are which: “The red are smaller, conservative, and somewhat toxic, the blue are larger, more progressive, and people friendly." I guess we know which way he leans politically.[1])
Buhner also notes that over the past 100 years, warnings have popped up against using the inner bark, leaves, or root of elder, but historically, they were all used for treatment. They just need to be prepared correctly.[2] Most articles on elder caution about it being poisonous. Hemlock is poisonous. Deadly nightshade is poisonous. The articles even go on to report that the various parts of the plant contain cyanogenic compounds that can produce cyanide. So do apple seeds, but you never hear anyone screaming about them. Raw elder, especially the berries, are an emetic—if you eat enough they will induce vomiting. If you eat more, they’re a purgative, meaning a lot of waste will come out at the other end. They just have to be cooked. Problem solved. [3]
HARVEST
Keep in mind that the most effective medicine actually comes from the flowers and the leaves. The berries are much less effective, despite marketing claims to the contrary, about 1/3 as effective as the leaf and flower. Remove the last 10-12 inches of growth from flowering branch ends. The flowers should be collected when in full bloom (June-July). They dry easily and quickly. The berries are collected when ripe, usually August and September and should be dried out of the sun and then stored in glass in a cool, dark area. The fresh berries can also be processed into tinctures or syrup. The leaves and inner bark may be harvested at any time. The leaves, if not dried quickly, are likely to mildew, become black, and therefore unusable. Use a dehydrator if possible.[4] [5]
EFFECTIVE AGAINST
- Bacteria
- Bacillus cereus (berries, flowers, leaves) [6] [7]
- Escherichia coli (berries, leaves)[8] [9]
- Haemophilus influenzae (berries)[10]
- Helicobacter pylori (berries)[11]
- Mycobacterium phlei (berries, flowers)[12]
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (berries, flowers)[13] [14]
- Salmonella poona (berries, flowers)[15] [16] [17]
- Shigella dysenteriae (berries)[18] [19]
- Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA (berries, flowers)[20] [21]
- Streptococcus pyogenes (berries)[22] [23]
- Group C and G streptococci (berries)[24]
- Fungi
- Candida albicans (stem bark)[25]
- Viruses
- Adenoviruses[26]
- Chickenpox[27]
- Chikungunya[28]
- Coronaviruses[29]
- Coxsackie[30]
- Cytomegalovirus[31]
- Dengue[32]
- Ebola[33]
- Epstein-Barr[34]
- Enterovirus-71[35]
- Hantavirus[36]
- Hepatitis B, C, D, and E[37]
- Herpes simplex viruses (berries)[38] [39]
- HIV (berries)[40]
- Influenza A and B[41] (H1N1, H5N1, H3N2) (berries, flowers) [42]
- Japanese encephalitis virus[43]
- Measles[44]
- Mumps[45]
- Parainfluenza viruses (croup)[46]
- Poliovirus[47]
- Respiratory syncytial virus (stem bark)[48] [49]
- Rhinoviruses (colds)[50]
- Rotavirus[51]
- SARS[52]
- Shingles[53]
- Tick-borne encephalitis[54]
- West Nile encephalitis[55]
- Yellow fever[56]
PREPARATIONS
Antiviral Formula (from Stephen Buhner’s Herbal Antivirals, p 151)
- 1 cup dried elder leaves
- ½ cup dried elder stems
- 2 ½ quarts water
- 1 ounce elderberry syrup (below)
- 1 ounce fresh elder leaf tincture
- 1 ounce elder stem bark tincture
Powder the dried leaves and stems as finely as possible in a blender or grinder. Place in a pot with the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced by two-thirds. Remove from the heat and let cool. Press the decoction through a cloth to remove the plant matter. Add the elderberry syrup and tinctures to the liquid and stir well.
To preserve this, you may need to add sugar to the stem/leaf decoction after you press it. If so, reheat, add enough sugar to bring the sugar content up to 65 percent or so, and let cool before adding the rest of the ingredients. However, you can also refrigerate it, or add enough alcohol to bring the alcohol content up to 20 percent, in order to preserve it. Take 1-2 ounces every 2-4 hours, less if you feel nauseous.
Elderberry is reported to be effective against cancer and in lowering cholesterol, however, there just hasn't been enough clinical research. It's been investigated as a treatment for H. pylori.
Infusion. Leaf and flower, use 2-4 ounces, 2-3 times per day.[57]
Syrup
- 2 quarts water
- 1 cup dried elderberries or 2 cups fresh elderberries
- 20 cups sugar (not a typo)
(If using dried elderberries, soak them in the 2 quarts of water overnight in the refrigerator.)
Bring the berries and water to a boil and then reduce the heat. Simmer the water and elderberries until the liquid is reduced by half, probably a few hours. Remove pan from heat, let cool, and press the elderberries to extract as much liquid as possible. Strain the mixture through a wire strainer. Discard the pulp.
Return the juice to the pan and add the sugar. Stir the sugar in over medium heat, until it dissolves completely.
Yes, this is a lot of sugar. It is the high sugar content that keeps the syrup from spoiling. Dosage: 1-2 ounces every 2-4 hours.
Tincture
- Fresh flower, 1:2 in 50% alcohol, 30-90 drops up to 3 times per day. [58]
- Fresh leaf, 1:2, 50% alcohol, 10 drops no more than once per hour. [59] A leaf tincture is an excellent pain reliever.[60]
- Dried berry, 1:5, 50 % alcohol, 20-40 drops up to 3 times per day. If nausea develops, reduce dosage.[61]
MODERN USAGE
- Musculoskeletal
- Arthritis (leaves, root, and stem bark, decocted, topically and internally)[62]
- Fractures (leaves, root, and stem bark, decocted)[63]
- Neurological
- Japanese encephalitis virus[64]
- Relaxant (leaf tincture, small doses)[65]
- West Nile encephalitis virus[66]
- Respiratory
- Colds[67]
- Croup (berries)[68]
- Fever[69]
- Influenza (berries in syrup)[70] [71]
- Respiratory syncytial virus (berries)[72]
- Skin
- Bites and stings (root poultice or wash)[73]
- Herpes sores (leaves and bark)[74]
- Inflammation (leaves and bark)[75]
- Wounds, especially if infected (root and leaves, topically)[76]
- Urogenital
- Dropsy (root tincture or infusion, tiny doses)[77]
- Gastrointestinal
- Colic in infants (flowers)[78]
- Diarrhea (dried berries)[79]
- Jaundice (bark, leaf infusion)[80]
- Food poisoning[81]
- Gastroenteritis[82]
- Musculoskeletal
- Arthritis
- Dried flowers to make an infusion to be used as a wash [83]
- 1 ounce of the root, boiled in 3 cups water until reduced to ½ cup, then consumed [84]
- Bone fractures (0.5-1 ounce leaves, boiled in 3 cups water until reduced to 1 cup, which is then consumed, for 2 weeks) [85]
- Rheumatism
- Neurological
- Epilepsy
- Headache
- Respiratory
- Colds
- Croup[96]
- Diphtheria[97]
- Fever, especially low to moderate fevers (flower infusion)[98] [99] [100]
- Influenza (flower infusion)[101]
- Measles[102]
- Mumps[103]
- RSV[104]
- Skin
- Blisters (dried flowers to make an infusion to be used as a wash) [105]
- Boils (bark or leaf poultice)[106]
- Bruises (bark or leaf poultice)[107]
- Burns
- Eczema
- Hemorrhoids (dried flowers to make an infusion to be used as a wash) [112]
- Inflammation (infusion of bark, leaves, or flowers used as an antiseptic wash)[113]
- Rashes (bark and leaf infusion used as a wash) [114]
- Sores
- Bark and leaf infusion used as a wash
- Dried flowers to make an infusion to be used as a wash[115] [116]
- Swelling (bark or leaf poultice)[117] [118]
- Wounds
- Urogenital
- Dropsy (leaf infusion)[122]
- Promote labor (bark and root tea)[123]
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT
Rich in vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as calcium, iron, and potassium.[124] [125]
CAUTIONS: There is a wide range in how sensitive people are to the toxins in the fresh berries and other parts of the plant. If you wish to use them fresh, begin with small doses and work your way up. Most people have no reaction at all.[126] Plants harvested near roads have higher levels of heavy metals.[127]
[1] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 144.
[2] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 144.
[3] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 147-48.
[4] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[5] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 155.
[6] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[7] C. Hearst, Antibacterial activity of elder (Sambucus nigra L.) flower or berry against hospital pathogens, Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, April 2010, https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/615F7BF23276 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[8] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[9] C. Hearst, Antibacterial activity of elder (Sambucus nigra L.) flower or berry against hospital pathogens, Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, April 2010, https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/615F7BF23276 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[10] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[11] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[12] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[13] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[14] C. Hearst, Antibacterial activity of elder (Sambucus nigra L.) flower or berry against hospital pathogens, Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, April 2010, https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/615F7BF23276 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[15] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[16] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[17] C. Hearst, Antibacterial activity of elder (Sambucus nigra L.) flower or berry against hospital pathogens, Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, April 2010, https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/615F7BF23276 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[18] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[19] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[20] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[21] C. Hearst, Antibacterial activity of elder (Sambucus nigra L.) flower or berry against hospital pathogens, Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, April 2010, https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/615F7BF23276 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[22] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[23] C. Krawitz, et al., Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056848/ (accessed 19 October 2021).
[24] C. Krawitz, et al., Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056848/ (accessed 19 October 2021).
[25] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[26] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 57.
[27] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[28] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[29] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[30] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[31] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[32] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[33] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[34] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[35] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[36] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 160.
[37] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159-60.
[38] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[39] Z. Zakay-Rones, et al., Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections, Journal of International Medical Research, March-April 2004, Vol 32 No 2, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147323000403200205 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[40] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[41] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 28.
[42] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[43] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 71.
[44] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 160.
[45] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 160.
[46] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 57.
[47] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[48] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 58, 157.
[49] Z. Zakay-Rones, et al., Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections, Journal of International Medical Research, March-April 2004, Vol 32 No 2, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147323000403200205 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[50] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 58.
[51] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[52] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 53.
[53] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 159.
[54] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 160.
[55] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 77.
[56] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 160.
[57] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[58] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 377.
[59] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 377.
[60] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 158.
[61] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 377.
[62] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[63] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 157.
[64] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 71.
[65] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 158.
[66] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 77.
[67] C. Krawitz, et al., Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056848/ (accessed 19 October 2021).
[68] Z. Zakay-Rones, et al., Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections, Journal of International Medical Research, March-April 2004, Vol 32 No 2, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147323000403200205 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[69] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 149.
[70] Z. Zakay-Rones, et al., Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections, Journal of International Medical Research, March-April 2004, Vol 32 No 2, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147323000403200205 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[71] C. Krawitz, et al., Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056848/ (accessed 19 October 2021).
[72] Z. Zakay-Rones, et al., Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections, Journal of International Medical Research, March-April 2004, Vol 32 No 2, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147323000403200205 (accessed 19 October 2021).
[73] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 158.
[74] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 158.
[75] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 71.
[76] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 158.
[77] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 158.
[78] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[79] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[80] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[81] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[82] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[83] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[84] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 149.
[85] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 149.
[86] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[87] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[88] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[89] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 149.
[90] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[91] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[92] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[93] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[94] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 58.
[95] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[96] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 57.
[97] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[98] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[99] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[100] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[101] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[102] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[103] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[104] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 58.
[105] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[106] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[107] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[108] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[109] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[110] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[111] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[112] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[113] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[114] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[115] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[116] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[117] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[118] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[119] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[120] Charles W. Kane, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States, 2017, 129.
[121] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[122] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 164.
[123] Steven Foster, et al., Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, 2002, 274-75.
[124] Linda Kershaw, Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, 2000, 62-63.
[125] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 158.
[126] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 152.
[127] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 58.
25 october 2021
How do you get bugs out of the flowers before drying? Every time I gather elder flowers they are covered with small insects.
ReplyDeleteADK Tess
I haven't had that problem, and I can't recall reading about it either. Soak them in water for a little bit? Or if they are flying insects, maybe use a gentle fan to blow them away?
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