Elderberry has long been recognized for its antiviral and respiratory-protective benefits. Additionally, it may assist chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD.
Herbalists prize the flowers, bark and berries of black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) for its healing properties. Berries in particular are prized for their immune-enhancing benefits. Plus it contains quercetin as an antioxidant to strengthen your system!
‘Adams’
Elderberries are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and flavonoids. Elderberries were traditionally used to treat colds and flu, boost the immune system and may prevent cancer cells from spreading; however, due to cyanic glycosides present in elderflowers or berries eaten raw this can cause nausea and diarrhea so it is wise to consume elderflowers or berries after cooking them first.
Elderberry plants can be easily grown in home gardens. Although tolerant of drought conditions, regular watering is recommended to ensure successful harvests. They require moderate to full sunlight with well-drained soil conditions for best growth results and an application of nitrogen can increase fruit production and quality significantly.
The plant is exceptionally hardy and well suited to cold climates. The flowers are stunningly beautiful and fragrant – ideal for cut flower arrangements! In addition, this variety can also be used in making jams, jellies, syrup and wine production as well as being beloved wildlife food, enjoyed by deer and birds alike.
“Ozark” was the first cultivar to break bud in Missouri this season, blooming an average of eight days earlier than ‘York”. This early bloom allows for earlier harvest and improved fruit quality by maturing before erratic spring freezes hit Missouri. A new hybrid named Wyldewood is being grown here for its tolerance to alkaline soils while producing medium-sized yields; it is a cross between Adams 2 and York.
American black elder (Sambucus nigra) is a widely recognized native plant that offers both food and medicine benefits. Herbalists utilize both its blossoms and berries for treating symptoms associated with colds and flus, including fever and headaches. Tea made from simmering one tablespoon of dried blossoms for 20 minutes can reduce fever and ease coughing, soothe hay fever symptoms by making mucous membranes less reactive to allergens, and even help decrease inflammation of the throat. Elderberries can be used to produce tinctures and syrups. Elderberries have been consumed for millennia; evidence of its cultivation dates back to Stone Age sites in Italy and Switzerland. Hippocrates’ Materia Medica and Pliny the Elder’s On the Materials of Medicine provide insight into its history as medicine.
‘Johns’
Elderberry plants (Sambucus canadensis) have long been used as herbal medicine, with both its flowers and berries considered extremely valuable in preventing colds and flu symptoms as well as providing high antioxidant counts that boost the immune system. Today these elderberries have become popular as supplements health foods; many even being grown for their medicinal qualities in permaculture gardens as edible hedgerows!
Johns’ is an open pollinated cultivar suitable for hardiness zones 3 to 9. Developed at the Kentsville Research Station in Nova Scotia, it produces large fruit on vigorous growth with thick skin. Perfect for wine production, juice making and jam making with firm, sweet purple-black fruit that matures at firm texture; grows up to 8-10 feet tall by 6-8 wide shrub.
Elderflowers are an often-used ingredient in over the counter cold and flu medications. Elderflowers may help relieve symptoms associated with colds and flu by lowering fever, relieving sinus pain and congestion, soothing throat conditions and alleviating coughing; additionally they are said to relieve allergies (hay fever). Elderflowers may also reduce coughing as well as help ease allergies (hay fever). Furthermore they have been noted as aiding with rheumatism pain reduction as well as relieving headaches and aches and pains.
Studies on this plant’s antiviral properties have recently increased. A number of compounds that are effective at killing herpes viruses have been identified; additionally, studies indicate that its berries contain antiviral and antioxidant compounds which provide protection from influenza as well as other viruses.
Folk medicine practitioners have employed this plant’s leaves, twigs and bark for pain relief as well as treating colds and flu, headaches and sciatica; to induce sweating as a diuretic; induce sweating for weight loss and relieve nausea (1). Before use however, any leaves or twigs containing cyanide must first be removed to avoid potential danger to health (2).
‘Nova’
The Nova Elderberry variety was discovered in Kentville, Nova Scotia and selected at a germplasm center for reliable production in 1960. It’s easy to grow in USDA Zones 4-9. A raspberry plant produces an abundant yield of medium-sized dark berries that are both sweet and delectable, perfect for making syrup, juice or tea. They’re an excellent source of vitamins A & C, iron & potassium as well as acting as natural antivirals – an amazing harvest indeed! Cook the elderberries before consuming them to ensure optimum results. Elderberry plants make beautiful additions to any garden and birds love its flowers! It features deep purple foliage with pink blossoms reminiscent of Japanese maple. You can find elderberries at many garden centers as well as online vendors; smaller sellers may carry cultivars they simply refer to as “black elderberry” or “elderberry”; please inquire as to their individual characteristics when purchasing from such vendors.
Elderberries are among the most effective medicinal plants available for treating upper respiratory infections, fever and strengthening immunity. Studies have even proven their efficacy against herpes virus as well as preliminary trials with HIV infection. It’s important to remember that people may react differently to elderberries; some will find them beneficial while others might feel nauseous or experience digestive issues after eating them.
The Nova elderberry variety is an excellent option for medicinal use as it produces prolific fruit without needing external pollination or harvesting schedules. Suited to most climates and making for an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, this fast-growing hardy plant tolerates frost, drought and is compact with bushy growth for high production rates; pairs well with other American elderberry varieties to cross pollinate for staggered harvesting schedules; grows about 6 feet tall and wide; it should be planted between partial shade to full sun for optimal production and will benefit from regular pruning as well as organic fertilizer applications to promote maximum production and staggered harvests schedules for harvest staggering between harvest cycles for maximum production and staggered harvest periods for staggered harvest cycles –
‘Marge’
Elderberry shrubs feature purple-tinged black berries with dark violet flowers, making it an excellent medicinal plant. Elderberries are commonly used to treat common colds and flu, reduce fever and soothe aches. Elderberries contain high amounts of Vitamin C and antioxidants as well as being high in dietary fiber and calcium content – perfect for gardens, food forests and homesteads alike!
American black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has become increasingly popular as its health benefits become better understood. Sambucol, a standardized extract of black elderberries found on pharmacy shelves today as an antiviral flu supplement speaks volumes for public demand for natural remedies; additionally its growth as a flu supplement indicates western science’s quest for biological evidence supporting traditional medicines and their uses.
Fruit of this plant provides essential vitamin A, thiamine and niacin. Herbalists utilize both its berries and flower petals to make medicinal teas, tinctures, syrups and extracts; especially effective against hay fever as they help calm mucous membranes; these blossoms can also be eaten fresh or dried to flavor food products or bake goods; however leaves and twigs should never be consumed as they contain poisonous cyanide compounds that could prove fatal if consumed directly.
This hardy perennial shrub can be propagated either from seed, or transplanted directly into the ground from container stock. It tolerates both wet and dry soil conditions and boasts an extensive root system, making it suitable for stabilizing gulleys, filtering runoff water, restoring damaged sites, providing habitat for wildlife as well as being an ideal riparian buffer choice.
Elderberries are prized medicinal plants as well as fast-growing shade trees. Self-fruitful varieties produce larger yields with pollinators assistance. Elderberry cultivars such as Black Lace, Nova and Marge make excellent choices for Utah alkaline soil conditions and drought tolerance.
