Guest guest Posted June 20, 2004 Report Share Posted June 20, 2004 Elderberries also make great pies.. I just make a lot of juice and freeze it in popbottles ( half full) The juice comes in handy for flu season with honey. Also it can be made into jelly and for Christmas I warm it, add mulled spices, sugar and a shot of red wine. It also mixes great with cranberry juice. Dried berries go into my muesli and scones. C-M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2004 Report Share Posted June 20, 2004 Hi Helen, >Hi all - >I will have plenty of elderberries this year and would like to know how you >all utilize them. My grammy used to make elderberry jam which was a >favorite on her homemade bread with freshly churned butter. YUM!! >However, I do not plan to use them all like this. You might make a syrup out of it as the berries are reported to help the immune system (antiviral). > >Also, I know that elders are like having a living medicine cabinet. I >would also appreciate recipes for medicinal use of the leaves and bark. >Thanks. I've read that the leaves and bark are toxic! Only use the flowers and berries. I have also read that the seeds in the berries contain hydrocyanic acid that can lead to mild cyanide poisoning if consumed in large enough quantities. The bark and leaves contain the highest amount so that is why they shouldn't be used internally anyway. I did read that native americans used the inner bark as a decoction for external application as a skin wash for eczema and dermatitis. The flowers make a great facial tonic. I have infused them and then mixed it with some rose hydrosol and lavender hydrosol for a very nice toner. I know there are some great herbalists on the list that will probably have lots more info for us on this. Have fun with it! Margaret www.naturalindulgences.com _______________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Elder Berry - Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae) Description: Shrub or small tree with fissured bark and many straight branches growing up to 30 ft. Leaves are dull green, toothed and pungent. In midsummer flowering stems are red and bear broad flat-topped heads of small white fragrant flowers followed by edible black berries. Uses: Use leaves, flowers and fruits, fresh or dried. Roots and bark may be gathered and used as needed. Leaves are insect repellant and provide a soothing ointment for skin complaints. Flowers make a calming tea, soothe the eyes and add sweet fragrance to drinks and dishes. Fruits are used to treat throat infections, coughs and colds and to induce sweating. Bark is a laxative, root is used to treat kidney ailments. Berries also produce a blue-purple dye. Infusion: Used to prepare more delicate parts of plants. 3 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 1½ ounce of fresh herbs; pour the freshly boiled water over herbs in a pot, cover the pot and let the herbs steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and serve. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 24 hours. Decoction: used to prepare barks, roots and berries 4 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 2 ounces fresh herb; finely chop herbs in a pan and cover with the water (which should be cold). Bring this mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Then strain the liquid off and press as much of the remaining liquid out of the herbs as possible. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 2 weeks. Tincture: A tincture is a good solution for long term treatment as will store for up to two years. 8 ounces of dried herb, 1½ cups of alcohol (grain alcohol like Everclear), and 4 cups of water; Chop your herbs up finely and put them in a glass jar with a good tight fitting lid. Pour the liquid over the herbs and tighten the lid. Keep the jar in a warm, dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the jar every two days. After the two weeks, strain the liquid off through cheesecloth into a clean colored glass jar and store away from heat and direct sunlight. Medicinal uses: insect repellent, skin complaints, coughs, colds, catarrh, throat infections, laxative “Fortunately art is a community effort - a small but select community living in a spiritualized world endeavoring to interpret the wars and the solitudes of the flesh.” -Allen Ginsberg Everything Natural http://health./ Everything Magick EverythingMagick/ The Pagan Housewife http://paganhousewife.blogspot.com/ Tales of a DIY Queen http://talesofadiyqueen.blogspot.com The Frugal New Yorker http://thefrugalnewyorker.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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