Elderberry plant profile

Elderberry is a quintessential herb for building immunity. While she is not considered a “nutritive” herb like many of our other allies we’ve work with, she is actually considered an immunity “tonic.” Tonic herbs are a class of herbs that, according to Guido Mase in his book The Wild Medicine Solution, in their most basic definition “enhance physiologic function of a tissue.”

Tonics have broad actions that either strengthen and enliven a specific organ, organ system, or the whole body overall.

The term “tonic” also covers many different herbs including adaptogens, bitters, and nervines but they are defined similarly in most herbal traditions. Heather Irvine of Herbal Academy acknowledges there are some nuances - in Eastern Herbal traditions “tonics” are associated with nourishing and building the body and tissue where there are specific identified deficiencies, while tonics in Western herbalism can be nourishing or building to the tissue or improve function through cleansing or elimination.

Overall, tonics support the tissue and help the organs function the way they’re supposed to, and that’s exactly what Elderberry does.

Common Name: Elderberry, Black Elder, Sweet Elder

Latin Name: Sambucus Nigra

Part(s) Used: (DRIED! Black Elder) Berries

Herbal Actions: Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, digestive, immunotonic, nervine,

Energetics: Sweet, bitter, cool, moistening

Contraindications: Use caution with honeysuckle allergy

Elderberry is a strong, resilient herb that helps us build hardiness before the winter months and colder, drier weather begin to take their toll on our immune systems. She has proven herself through clinical studies to the scientific world what many have known for centuries - that she is a strong anti-viral, making her a most beloved ally for colds, flus, and other viruses such as herpes and hepatitis.

Elderberry is also a decongestant, strong ally to the lungs, and antispasmodic meaning she will help us clear away blockages in the nasal cavity and help to relax any inflammation in the case of a sore throat or irritated, swollen sinuses. She will help us move through hot fevers by encouraging us to sweat. She is a diaphoretic, meaning she will increase sweating in the body which is often helpful in supporting the body to “sweat it out” and detox itself of infection or illness.

Elderflower is a strong ally for allergies, an expectorant (meaning she expels mucous from the lungs) and vasodilator, so when used together (elderberry + elderflower) these two herbs can tag-team stuffy, congested heads and noses, as well as wet coughs, clogged lungs, and swollen lymph nodes.

Energetically, elderberry has a resilient, grounding energy. She helps us to access our deep reserves when we’re feeling weak, afraid, or powerless and builds both tissue and strength, helping us to remain sturdy yet flexible in the face of adversity and illness. Elder is associated with more European folklore than any other plant - believed to be a beacon of magic and bragging many protective qualities.

In Danish lore, it believed that in each Elder tree resides an “Elder Mother” a spirit who must be sung to and appeased before harvesting any of her medicine, lest you risk bad luck or even being haunted by her.

In English and Russian lore she was used to ward off spirits and protect people from witches, Hans Christen Anderson wrote a story about her called Elder Tree Mother, and of course - in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, Dumbeldore’s elder wand is known as the strongest wand in existence. All of this speaks volumes to (and aligns with!) her tremendous healing powers and immuno-protective properties.

Personally, elderberry comes to me as a maiden walking through the fresh, crisp snow. She’s usually clad in a deep red cloak and hood that pop against the white blanket of winter. She’s usually accompanied by a robin or another bright bird, courageous enough to brave the cold as her companion.

She shows me visions of yuletide and the spiky, deep green leaves of holly berries telling me I can turn to her for comfort and embrace the joyousness of the season. She also whispers assurance of rest as I transition into the colder months of the year. She communicates sweet merriment and shows me that even when the world dies back and all seems asleep, there remain glimmers of hope and cause for celebration.

The promise of light returning and that first brisk inhale of colder days awakens a sharpened clarity and clear vision within us. A receptivity made possible by the simplicity and solitude of the vast emptiness that surrounds us this time of year and Elder guides us through.

A last word on Elder:

“Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, Elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb. ……And any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived of the best part of education.” - Botanist and Horticulturist, Luther Burbank

“This plant of God heals anything it touches” - Hippocrates

Harvesting: Elder berries begin to ripen and are ready for harvesting in late summer to mid-fall. You should take the entire cluster of berries versus harvesting them individually. The flowers should be collected when they are in full bloom in spring and early summer. Let them dry in a cool, dark spot immediately after harvesting.

Cultivation: Elder is a perennial shrub (sometimes they can look like trees) that likes to be grown in full sun in well draining but moist soil. They can be planted in early spring after the last frost and are best planted in groups so they can pollinate each other. Personally, I like to take cuttings from my neighbors in the fall, keep them in loose soil inside over winter, then basically just stick them in the ground in spring. You’ll likely be delighted by how quickly they take in the right conditions (almost like willow!)

Herbal Preperations: Elderberries are most commonly used as immunity tonics including in syrups, lozenges, gummies, teas, or cough and cold supplements to combat or prevent the flu, but can also be found in jams, jellies, and used as a natural dye. Elderflowers are most often used in cordials, liqueurs, (St. Germain comes from Elderflower!), teas and as steams to help move and loosen congestion with head colds.

Caution: Do not ingest raw elderberries. The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which are mildly toxic and can make you sick, but are removed after cooking. Also, if you are allergic to anything in the honeysuckle family, avoid Elderberry.

References:

Irvine, Heather. Herbal Academy Blog Herbal Tonics 101.

Marciano, Marisa, ND. The Naturopathic Herbalist.

Mase, Guido. The Wild Medicine Solution: Healing with aromatic, bitter, and tonic plants.

Thompson, Krystal. Elder Monograph - HerbRally.

Acorn School of Herbal Medicine.

Golden Poppy Herbal Apothecary Blog: Elderberry Materia Medica.