Elderberry

A plant, mostly found in North America, with small berries rich in potassium, fiber, beta-carotene, iron, vitamins A, B6, and C which are often made into healthy syrups, juices, or even jams. Antioxidant-rich sambucus nigra, European or black elder, may help relieve cold and flu symptoms, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease or stroke, combat infections, ease arthritis, induce wound healing, maintain a healthy weight, help with stomach issues, promote detoxification, and even exhibit preventative properties against cancer and diabetes.

Flavonoids are a component that make elderberries an antioxidant-rich food, as they’re capable of providing antioxidant and antimutagenic abilities.²⁰ One study suggested that the elderberry extract helped address influenza A and B infections within four days,²¹ while other research has noted that elderberries have anti-inflammatory, antiviral²² and even anticancer²³ and antidiabetic properties.²⁴

Elderberries may be utilized to soothe upset stomach and address gas, help with weight loss²⁵ and are reputed to have diuretic²⁶ and detoxifying properties.²⁷

According to the book “Herbal Antivirals: Strengthen Your Immunity Naturally,” both the flowers and berries possess chemicals that may help address mucous membrane swelling, such as sinuses, and aid in relieving nasal congestion.²⁸ However, doctors recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid eating elderberries because there isn’t enough information regarding the fruits’ safety toward them.²⁹

Meanwhile, elderberry flowers were traditionally utilized as external washes to help address wounds, sprains, bruises and sores on domestic animals.³⁰ They’ve been used for cosmetic purposes too, as elderberry flower water is said to soften,³¹ tone and restore the skin and lighten freckles.³² Flowers can also be added into a lotion that may help soothe burns,³³ sunburns and chilblains.³⁴ If you’re wondering about the other nutrients you can find in elderberries, take a look at the table below:³⁵

Studies Done on Elderberries

When the phenolic, anthocyanin and antioxidant capacities of the American elderberry were tested for free radical-scavenging abilities, researchers found that the berries had effects similar to blackberries, black raspberries and other small, deep-hued fruits. Anthocyanins play a role in causing significant and positive results, resulting in recommendations for further study and development of elderberry compounds for research.³⁶

Antiviral components of elderberry fruit extract were also tested and found to effectively prevent human influenza A (H1N1 virus) infection in vitro, possibly by blocking the ability of the virus to infect host cells. The extract was so effective that researchers compared its ability with those of prescription medications like Amantadine and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu).³⁷

How to Grow Elderberries

Elderberry plants can be grown in USDA zones 3 to 10, particularly in moist or wet locations. American elderberry plants can be propagated using germinated seeds, large plants that have been divided, root cuttings, or hardwood or soft-wood cuttings.³⁸ You can buy the last two options from a reputable nursery.

The Utah State University Extension advises that you should plant hardwood cuttings in February or March before bud break, while soft-wood cuttings must be planted before July. If you have elderberry container plants, propagate them before summer heat sets in and after the threat of hard frost is gone.

When planting elderberries, provide at least 4 feet of space between plants in all directions, depending on the plant cultivar. If you’re growing elderberries in multiple rows, make sure there is a 6- to 8-feet allowance between them.

Elderberry plants grow best in fertile soil containing high amounts of organic matter and nutrients, with a neutral pH level. You can also add compost or other organic matter to boost the soil’s nutrient levels and capacity to hold water. The plants need proper drainage to prevent root rots, so if you have heavy clay soils, consider forming raised beds to enhance drainage.³⁹ Elderberry plants thrive best when they receive full sun, but provide shade when temperatures rise.⁴⁰

While elderberry plants are drought-tolerant (provided that roots are able to anchor themselves⁴¹), they must be irrigated regularly to produce high-quality fruits. Elderberry plants must be given at least 1 to 2 inches of water weekly during the summertime. Don’t forget to mulch the soil so it retains moisture and doesn’t cause weed development.

Refrain from fertilizing elderberry plants at the time of planting. Instead, wait for two months after and lightly apply some nitrogen (1/4 cup ammonium sulfate per plant). Once you have plants actively producing fruits, provide 1 cup of ammonium sulfate per plant annually as fertilizer.

Pruning must be done annually, during February or March while the plant is dormant, so they remain healthy and look neater. Remove dead, damaged or diseased canes, and discard all 3-year-old and older canes to promote new growth and encourage younger canes to produce better fruits. Lastly, tip back weak canes and shape the plant, if it’s a shrub.^42,43

Elderberry plants are known to produce suckers, or vertical growths arising from a plant’s roots or lower main stem.⁴⁴ While suckers can be helpful when growing a native garden inexpensively, they can cause problems and become invasive. Make sure to also take proper care of your American elderberry plants, since they can attract these pests:

American elderberry plants are also prone to diseases such as cankers, dieback, leaf spots, powdery mildew, root rots, thread blight, tomato ringspot virus and Verticillium wilt.⁴⁵

How to Pick and Store Elderberries

You can harvest elderberries once a cluster of flowers has opened. Elderberries that are ready for harvest have a rich and blue, dark purple or black hue, are slightly soft and are found in large bunches called umbrellas.⁴⁶

According to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the elderberry tree can yield a small crop after one year. The amount of berries you can harvest increases after the third year of planting, as an elderberry plant may already produce 12 to 15 pounds of delicious berries.

Elderberry harvesting must be done from mid-August to mid-September, depending on your location and cultivar of the plant.⁴⁷ If you’re gathering wild elderberries, pick from areas that aren’t near roadsides and aren’t exposed to a lot of vehicle traffic.⁴⁸

To harvest elderberries, cut flowers and stems using pruners, right below the ripe berries.⁴⁹ Avoid cutting the stems too short as they can be helpful when handling and preparing the berries. Discard immature berries⁵⁰ and use fresh elderberries as soon as possible.⁵¹

Wash elderberries to eliminate insects or debris, spread them on a dishtowel to dry for a few minutes and keep berries with stems intact in containers. Try to store the berries loosely so they won’t be crushed. Once done, seal containers tightly and freeze berries for future use.

You can also de-stem the berries on the same day you froze them. Spread the elderberries on a cookie sheet and freeze uncovered for one to two hours. Afterward, they may be frozen solid and easily removed from the stems using your hands. Throw away stems and use the berries immediately. If you have excess berries, place them in tightly sealed containers inside your freezer.

Freezing the berries this way allows you to remove them from the stems easily, helps you avoid squishing them and decreases your risk for adverse effects caused by the plant’s stems, twigs, roots and leaves, all of which are known to be toxic.⁵²

Elderberries Fun Facts

Elderberry’s unique name was derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “aeld,” meaning “fire,” because the hollow stems of this plant were used to gently blow on flames to intensify them. Meanwhile, “Sambucus” is a Greek word meaning “wind instrument.”⁵³ Native Americans also called elderberry the “tree of music” because its branches were utilized to make flutes.⁵⁴