How to Use Elderberries

It is Elderberry season, so what better time to delve into some elderberries recipes. The elder has a rich history and known for its culinary and medicinal uses. You will find elderberries are used to make teas, tinctures, powdered for capsules, and are also used to make wines, jams, jellies, syrups, and lozenges.

Elderberry preparations are made from either the fresh or dried fruit. The berries contain Vitamin C, iron and other nutrients, they are a rich source of antioxidants. Elderberry can stimulate the immune system and inhibit viral growth. ^[1] It is also used as an anti-inflammatory agent, immune strengthening, anti-neuralgic, antiviral, antibacterial, laxative and diuretic ^[2]. Elderberry juice contains compounds that can speed healing. ^[2]

Crude Preparation

^[4]
Expressed Juice: 1 glass (presumably 8 oz.; size not specified in original source) 2 times daily.
Syrup: 1-2 tablespoons mixed with hot water.
Tea Decoction: 1 cup (made from 10 g dried berries) several times daily.

Preparation ^[4]
Tea: One cup several times a day for treating feverish catarrhal afflictions or to act as a mild diuretic. Soak 10g of dried berries in cold water for several minutes, heat to boiling, decoct briefly, steep for 5-10 min, and decant.

Juice: 1 glass 2 times a day. Boil fresh berries in water for 2-3 minutes; express the juice, boil 10 parts juice and add one part vegetable glycerine to preserve. (Amount of fresh berries and volume of water is not specified.)

Syrup: 1-2 tablespoons mixed with hot water taken at night to promote perspiration and decongestion in cases of a cough, cold or fever.

Simmer 5 lbs. of fresh, ripe berries with 1 lb. of sugar until the juice evaporates to the thickness of honey.

Anaemia

Combine equal parts elderberry and blackberry juice. Have 1 ounce three times a day. ^[3]

Skin

All parts of the elder, including the berries aids in complexion beauty, removing spots, allaying irritation, removing freckles, and preserving and softening the skin if applied faithfully, internally and externally. ^[3]

Dosage (Standardised)

Elderberry fruit syrups are often standardized to 30-38 percent elderberry.
Powdered extracts are dosed at 500 mg (capsule) 2-3 times daily for 3-4 days, or if in liquid form, dosed at one tablespoonful (15 mL) three times daily.
In the case of acute viral infections, the course of treatment is generally at least three days.^[5]

Formulas/Recipes

The inspissated juice pressed from the fresh berries ^[6]

Dose: One to two drams (1/8 oz to 1/4 oz) in a little water as a gentle laxative and cleanser of stomach and bowels. For increased action in doses of half an ounce or more. Taken in hot water at night promotes perspiration and is excellent for recent colds, with sore throat, chill, etc. Also recommended for nasal, bronchial catarrhs and asthma.

Almost from time immemorial, a “Rob” has been made as follows:^[6]

Take 5 pounds of fresh crushed Elderberries; put into sufficient water to cover. Simmer slowly for 15 minutes. Strain and press.

To the juice add 1 pound of brown sugar. Evaporate in a double boiler to the thickness of honey and pour into wide-mouthed jars which have been heated. It is cordial, aperient, and diuretic.

Dose: One or two tablespoonful mixed with a tumbler full of hot water taken at night promotes pleasant perspiration and is demulcent to the chest.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Ingredients for a Basic Syrup ^[7]
2 cups elderberries (either dried or fresh)
3 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoon grated ginger (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
(Created by Suzy Hodgson, UVM Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture)

Instruction
1. Simmer berries in water for about 1/2 hour.
2. Mash the berries a bit using fork, potato masher or similar apparatus.
3. Strain the liquid off of the cooked berries using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate out the seeds. Discard seed (you can use as compost).
4. Add 1/3 – 1/2 cup vegetable glycerine ** to the liquid while syrup is warm.
5. Pour into container(s)
6. Keep containers in the refrigerator to preserve.

**The recipe as taken from this source uses honey, however, this can be substituted with agave or vegetable glycerine.

Elderberry Glycerine Tincture ^[8]

Ingredients:
1 part vegetable glycerine
1 part water
1/2 pound (lb) dried elderberries

Instructions:
1. Combine vegetable glycerine and water in a 1:1 ratio and set aside.
2. In a quart jar place the dried elderberries. Pour over the glycerine-water mixture until well covered and saturated.
3. Place the lid on and keep in a dark place.
4. Shake the jar every day to distribute the berries and glycerin. Let sit, shaking daily, for about a month.
5. Strain the liquid off from the berries using cheesecloth, or a thin old towel.
6. Squeeze all the liquid out of the berries.
7. Store in an air-tight container.

Basic Elderberry Syrup ^[9]

Ingredients:
2 cups dried elderberries
1 quart boiling water (4 cups)
Juice of 2 limes
1⁄2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1 cup vegetable glycerine

Instructions:
1. Place 2 cups dried elderberries into your crock pot, and cover with 1 quart boiling water.
2. Cover and let sit overnight. The next day, simmer for several hours on low (or up to 2 days). Or you may use the stovetop, and simmer for 30 minutes on low heat.
3. Allow to cool, and strain/press out the berry mash, keeping the dark, berry-infused liquid. Strain through a cheesecloth, tea towel or coffee filter. Squeeze out all the berry juice.
4. Add the apple cider vinegar, fresh lime juice, and vegetable glycerine to your elderberry juice, and mix well.
5. Store in clean glass bottle(s) in the fridge

Dose: Adults: 2 teaspoons 4 times daily (at sign of first symptoms); Children: 1 teaspoon 4 times daily (at sign of first symptoms)
For daily maintenance, three to five days after first symptoms occur:
Adults: 2 teaspoons daily; Children: 1 teaspoon daily.

Elderberry Jam ^[7]

Ingredients:
1 part Elderberries
1 part Crabapple (Note: the crabapples add a natural pectin that helps it to thicken)
1 part maple syrup

Instructions:
1. Cook whole crabapples until soft
2. Add elderberries and cook gently or simmer
3. Put the cooked crabapples and elderberries in a Foley food mill or a strainer to get the skins and seeds out. Compost or discard the skins and seeds.
4. Put the fruit pulp back in the pot. Heat pulp gently and stir in sweetener. Bring to 180°.
5. Cook until desired thickness or until some of the hot liquid solidifies on a spoon.
6. Pour into hot jars and seal with lids, turn upside down for a moment to help seal. Let the jars cool. You can also freeze the jam in plastic containers or bags instead of using jars

(Contributed by David Fried of Elmore Roots Artisan Jams, September 2016)

Reference(s)

[1] Anti-influenza virus effects of elderberry juice and its fractions
[2] The Canadian encyclopedia of natural medicine / Sherry Torkos. 2007
[3] A handbook of native American Herbs, Alma R. Hutchens. 1st ed. 1992
[4] The ABC (American Botanical Council) Clinical Guide to Elder Berry
[5] Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) Monograph – Alternative Medicine Review Volume 10, Number 1 2005
[6] Advanced Course in Herbology Dr. Edward Shook Copyright 1974 by George Cervilla
[7] Elderberries juice syrups and Jams. UVM (University of Vermont) Extension’s Elderberry Project. 2016
[8] https://www.nourishingdays.com/2010/11/making-elderberry-glycerin-tincture/
[9] Gwen’s nest. Elderberry Recipes to treat colds & flu

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