Elderberry….what's not to love?

I can’t even recall where I read this little tidbit but it’s something posted on drflower’s facebook page a few weeks ago. It still resonates. “Did you know that the exact chemical components of all essential oils remain unknown? There is still a micro-frontier! Amazing!”  psst… Polyphenol  research is a part of this mystery.  We must back up and look at the forest as well as dig in with a magnifier to to components of the plant.  Can we do that at the same time? If we figure out a way, scientific breakthrough is eminent. 

 

Elderberry is in fact “elder” in that this plant has been found in stone age sites. Greeks used the wood to create a musical instrument called the sambuke.  The roots, stems, and leaves of this plant are to be treated with caution. This is a potent plant that can be dangerous if not treated with respect and studied a bit before using.  What makes so much of the plant dangerous?  The plant contains cyanogenic glucosides that can release cyanide as well as an unidentified cathartic that is found in the leaves and roots of some species. 

 

This makes harvest of the lovely berries a bit labor intensive in that ALL stems must be removed before the flowers or fruit can be used.   This is a plant that demands respect much like the ocean.  Do we avoid the ocean because there is danger? Nope. The same should be true of elderberry and other plants within our world. Basically, proceed with caution and knowledge but do proceed!

 

Dr. Kenneth Lampe is the author of the AMA Handbook of Poisonous Injurious plants.  His take on elderberries ripe and cooked is that they are harmless.  He even goes on to say that the flowers are “probably nontoxic” and limited amounts of raw berries, no stems are considered to have no adverse effect.  Note: elderflowers used to make elderberry cordials are cooked. Most syrups, candy, desserts that use raw whether dry or fresh berries also are cooked.

 

If you go to the cafe at the Ikea store, they sell elderflower juice boxes! They are quite yummy. 😉 shhh… I know juice boxes are less than good for the environment but this is elderflower for crying out loud!

 

Elderberry uses are not without scandal. It seems that elderberry was once used in Portugal to adulterate port wine and sold as an exclusive expensive product. HA! I laugh until I read that this angered the powers that be (monarchy with your coffee?) so much that they outlawed the growth of this plant. (gasp!) Luckily with the help of a keen doctor and drunken sailor, the medicinal properties of elderberry surfaced once again as a good treatment for rheumatism. Dare we let our imaginations run wild that the old world pirates drank it? AARRRRR….   Oh the tales we could weave with that one!

 

Nature beat us to it! It seems that the Minute pirate bug  particularly likes elderberry along with hairy vetch buckwheat and mountain ash, ! HA! This bug will chow on 30 or more spider mites per day. Would that would be beneficial in your garden? You know the answer. It seems Mother Nature does an awesome job with balancing plants, bugs, animals IF we leave her to do her job!

 

And thus you see a glimpse into my obsession with Elderberry.  We haven’t even covered that this lovely once existed in early forms of Grecian formula as a hair dye. Don’t even think I’m not considering it’s use in the next round of eco-tye die. A little alum to set the color is all you need according to one book I’ve read as well as email dialog with some experienced natural dying herbies.

 

The berries are not only full of the good for you, “poly’s” and “anti’s”. (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, etc, etc.) Elderberries also contain a high amount of Vitamin C.  Another reason to have a few elderberry herbal drops handy for those with colds or sore throats.

 

If you have little ones that run a muck in your yard or just out in the woods, be sure that you’ve had the “don’t eat berries you don’t know what they are” talk with them.  There are many berries in the wild that could harm your kids. Arm them with knowledge and healthy respect. It’ll all come back to you in spades! 

 

Part 2 on Elderberries!

 

Happy Washing

~Regina