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Elder

Sambucus nigra


Flavor Profile and Uses

  • Fresh, ripe berries are tart, tangy, and bitter but are tasty when sweetened and combined with other flavors in recipes and tea blends
    • Note: Berries should be cooked and have their seeds removed before being eaten
  • Both leaves and berries are diaphoretic, help promote sweating, and reduce fevers
  • Stimulates immune systems, antiviral, and is commonly used to treat flues, colds, and respiratory infections
  • Highly nutritious, rich in bioflavonoids and vitamin C, and a strong antioxidant
 
Identification

  • Found in moist areas with very rich soil and full sun – partial shade
  • A perennial deciduous shrub that grows up to 10’ tall and produces clusters of small, white flowers that form umbels at the apex of the plant
  • Berries are clustered, tiny, shiny, smooth and a deep purple color
  • Elder leaves are pinnately compound and made up of groups of 5 – 7 leaflets
 
Harvesting Instructions

  • Blooms in July and sets berries in August
  • Flowers can be harvested on dry, sunny days as they begin opening – the longer they are left on the branch, the less medicinal value they retain – simply snap them off the bush and dry on a rack
  • Pick berries when they become dark blue-ish back and shiny, then de-stem and separate them from their clusters by hand
  • Preserve berries by drying on a rack for tea blends, freezing, or processing into syrup, etc.

Carpenter, Jeff, and Carpenter, Melanie. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015.

UMASS DINING . UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST . AMHERST, MA 01003
phone: 413-545-8682 | www.umassdining.com
  • About
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Our History
    • News >
      • Awards & Publications
    • Contact Us >
      • New Vendor Application
  • Initiatives
    • Purchasing
    • Low Carbon Dining
    • Waste Reduction
    • Prioritizing Real Food
    • Green Cleaning
  • Permaculture
    • How to Get Involved
    • History
    • Schedule a Tour
    • Our Gardens >
      • Franklin
      • Berkshire
      • Hillside
      • Hampshire
    • Medicinal Plant Guide >
      • Local Herbal Resources
      • Vocabulary
    • UMass Student Farmers Market
    • Donate Today
    • Annual Reports >
      • 2018
      • 2019
      • 2020
      • 2021
    • Local Permaculture Resources
  • Resources
    • How-To Guide for Food Service
    • How To Eat Sustainably on Campus
    • Low Carbon Dining
    • Virtual Gatherings
  • Events
  • Blog