Elderberry Seeds

Elderberry Seeds

Elderberry Seeds, also known as Sambucus Cerulea are native to Europe and grow in the western 1/3 of the United States. Elderberry is a unique heirloom herb that is worth the effort of growing in your home garden.

Elderberry is in the Honeysuckle family and is often seen as a shrub that can grow up to thirteen feet high, with smooth, gray bark. Corky bumps cover the slender branches, and there is a spongy, white pith inside the twigs and branches.

Elderberry is one of the most effective herbs for treating upper respiratory infections, constipation and fever. In England the Elderberry was known as "natures medicine chest". Elderberry berries are most often used after they have been dried for teas and herbal infusions. Large doses of Elderberry juice can cause diarrhea. The stem of the Elderberry plant should be avoided due to it's cyanide content.

European folklore gave Elderberry magical properties making it the guardian of the garden. It is believed that fairies and elves would appear if you sat underneath an elder bush on midsummer night. The lovely Elderberry plant possessed potent magic, with the ability to drive away witches, and kill serpents.

Also available:
Dried Elder Flowers

Recipe for Elderberry Jelly:

Reprinted from Mother Earth News July/August 1973

• 3 pounds Elderberries
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 box fruit pectin
• 4 1/2 cups sugar

1. Heat the berries over a low fire until the juice starts to flow and then simmer the fruit for 15 minutes.
2. Strain the liquid through a double layer of cheesecloth (easier if you cook the fruit in the evening and let it drain overnight).
3. Mix the elderberry and lemon juices along with just enough water to make three cups of fluid.
4. Add lemon juice and curry and heat for serving if needed (can be served cold).
5. Add the pectin, bring the mixture to a boil and stir in the sugar.
6. Bring the jelly to a full boil again for one minute, pour it into sterilized glasses and cover the jars with paraffin.