Botanical Series: Elderberry Season

Autumn is not shy this year. Cottonwoods, Aspens, and other deciduous trees have already started shedding their crispy golden leaves while the sun withdraws earlier each day. Temperatures are beginning to emanate winter's arrival. Snow storms are surely not far from greeting the rocky mountain west. We will soon find ourselves bundled warmly in our wool layers and puffy jackets, stoking our fireplaces, and cooking squash in our kitchens.

This season will bring colds upon many, but luckily botanical remedies, like Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), boost our immune system, helping us maintain favorable health during the colder season of winter. These beautiful blue berries with a glaucous layer spreading on the surface are hanging from the trees for a little while longer. A few days ago I could not resist picking these hardy little berries.

Last winter after extensive travels I was very vulnerable to germs, and caught a series of colds. Avoiding medicines with ingredients I simply could not understand lead me to an elderberry syrup, which pushed the cold out of my system, and prevented other colds from overcoming me. I could feel effects from the Elderberry syrup working within my system instantly. This winter I intend to be better prepared with a homemade syrup to kick those winter invited colds. The recipe I have chosen is from the Mountain Rose Blog I enjoy following.

Wether you are interested in making your own Elderberry syrup or not, I recommend adding this botanical product to your medicine cabinet to help fight colds. Studies have documented its efficacy for not only colds, but coughs and fevers.

The Sambucus nigra berries contain antioxidants, Vitamin A and B, and a large amount of Vitamin C, among other valuable compounds. Be cautious of the seeds as they contain hydrocyanic acid, a compound that leads to nausea and diarrhea if consumed in large enough quantities. Other uses of this plant by American Indians have been documented, such as using the bark topically to treat eczema, ulcers, and chronic forms of dermatitis.

You will likely find this plant blossoming mid- to late summer near riparian habitats, and moist forest clearings. Flowers grow in dense umbel-like clusters causing the limbs to droop after they fruit. The leaves are pinnately divided with five to nine serrated pointed tipped leaflets. There are several other blue fruiting species of Sambucus, so learn about which species you are likely to find in your range.

"Your head is a living forest full of songbirds"  -E.E. Cummings