Information About Elderberries

In the Landscape

• Elderberries are shallow-rooted shrubs that are hardy enough to grow in most climates throughout the United States. The shrubs will reach up to 30 feet tall if left unpruned, but elderberry is often used for hedges and shaped to fit the space. The plants grow rapidly in well-drained, moist, fertile soil in full sun or light shade. They have dark-green leaves and small white flowers that appear in dense clusters, followed by green berries. The berries mature to black, blue or red, gradually turning darker as they ripen. Due to their shallow roots, elderberry shrubs must be hand-weeded often to avoid disturbing the roots from yanking out large weeds. Full-grown hedges shadow and inhibit weeds, requiring little weed maintenance.

Jellies, Jams and Brews

• Elderberries are used in pies, and for jellies, jams and elderberry wine. The wine is rich, fruity, full-bodied and sweet, and makes a good dessert accompaniment because the flavor holds its own against chocolate and other sweets. Elderberries are added to other wines to improve the color, although this is, strictly speaking, best left to the home brewer, because a labeled cabernet sauvignon should not contain elderberries. Cornell University reports that elderberries exceed all other temperate fruits for potassium and phosphorus, and that the berries have high amounts of vitamin C. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, elderberries are rich in flavonoids, which contain important antioxidants.

Medicinal Uses

• Traditional medicine relies on the elderberry for a host of remedies, and the Sambucus nigra, or European elder, is used medicinally. Topically, the elder plant is applied to wounds. Internally, extracts, decoctions and infusions are taken for respiratory illnesses. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that elder flowers are used for cold and flu remedies throughout Europe, and that herbalists believe that the berries and flowers can relieve sinus congestion by shrinking swollen membranes. Antioxidants in elderberries may contain significant antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties but have yet to be thoroughly tested on humans. Lab tests using elderberry to treat strains of flu viruses have shown promising early results, but there are no definitive studies to date.

Precautions

• Eat raw elderberries from the bush and you may end up with a stomach ache or much worse. According to the University of California, Davis, the red berries in particular will cause nausea if enough of them are eaten raw. Dwarf elderberries can be toxic. Raw and unripe elderberries, leaves, seeds and bark may contain a chemical similar to cyanide, a poison. The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions that the berries should be cooked before eaten and that they may interfere with some prescribed drugs. Elderberry may heighten the effects of diuretics and laxatives, counter the effects of immunosuppressants and chemotherapy, lower blood-sugar levels and decrease levels of asthma medications. Check with a health-care provider before using elderberry remedies, especially for children or pregnant women.