Elderberry

Holimder-beere, /. elderberry, -bliite, /. elder blossom, -wein, n. elder (berry) wine. 

Numerousherbai diureticsare available as over-the-counter (OTQ products. Most plants and herbal extracts available as OTCdiureticsare nontoxic. However, most are either ineffective or no more effective than caffeine. The following are selected herbals reported to possess diuretic activity cetery, chicory, sassafras juniper berries St. John s wort, foxglove, horsetail, licorice, dandelion, digital is purpurea, ephedra, hibiscus parsley, and elderberry. 

It is perhaps ironic that, many years after his interest was first aroused, Stacey was to experience a fermentation failure owing to an unwanted dextran. He, and a large group of colleagues (potential co-tasters ), published a report of an attempt to make elderberry wine. A viscous, transparent gum, rather than a delicious drink, was produced. The gum was a typical, but unwelcome, dextran. 

Hubbermann, E.M. et al., Influence of acids, salt, sugars and hydrocolloids on the colour stability of anthocyanin rich black currant and elderberry concentrates, Eur. Food Res. Technol, 223, 83, 2006. 

Wu, X., Cao, G., and Prior, R.L., Absorption and metabolism of anthocyanins in elderly women after consumption of elderberry or blueberry, J. Nutr, 132,1865, 2002. Matsumoto, H. et al.. Orally administered delphinidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside are directly absorbed in rats and humans and appear in the blood as the intact forms, J. Agric. Food Chem., 49, 1546, 2001. 

Sambubiose was less widespread, as a constituent of the major anthocyanins from red currants," elderberries," Davidson s plums, black raspberries, and small red beans, - and hnked to minor anthocyanins from agai " and Vaccinium padifolium blueberries. - Considering the anthocyanins identihed at least with MS, as far as we are concerned, this disaccharide was not reported in vegetables, cereals, or grains. 

The anthocyanin stabilities of grape-marc, elderberry, and black currant extracts were lower in all sucrose (100 g/L)-added systems as compared to the controls at pH values of 3, 4, and 5, whereas the brown index did not change with the addition of sugar. On the contrary, a protective effect of 20% sucrose added to frozen crowberries and strawberries was reported and the stabilities of anthocyanin juices from aronia were higher in syrups than in diluted extracts. Roselles pre-... 

About 15 anthocyanins in bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) were reported by Ichiyanagi et al. using CZE separation and MS-NMR identification.Anthocyanin analysis of strawberry and elderberry extracts was performed by reverse HPLC at pH 1.8 and CZE using a standard silica capillary and pH 8.0 running buffer. Under these conditions, HPLC had more advantages than CZE in terms of anthocyanin separation in these extracts." ... 

Bridle, R and Garcia-Viguera, C., Analysis of anthocyanins in strawberries and elderberries a comparison of capiUary-1 electrophoresis and HRLC, Food Ghent., 59, 299, 1997. 

Watanabe, T. et al.. Analysis of elderberry pigments in commercial food samples by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Anal. Sci., 14, 839, 1998. 

Azarole, blueberries, buckthorn, cranberries, elderberries, gooseberries, rose hips, service berries... 

Elderberries have long been valued for their cleansing ability, enhancing the functions of the skin, kidneys, bowels and respiratory systems. Today elder... 

Hot elderberry wine was sold on London street comers until the end of the 19th century to warm and cheer the passersby. It was dispensed from beautiful copper and brass ums erected on pedestals. A charcoal fire kept the wine warm. 

Many tribes used the berries as a food supply and included it in their pemmican, a mixture of nuts, meat and dried fruit which served as a suitable food when travelling and hunting. The Iroquois cooked elderberries and served them with com bread. They would sun-dry the berries and store them for winter food supplies. The Meskwaki prepared the berries as a conserve. The wood of the tree was useful in bow making. Straigth stems would be selected and dried, and from this arrows were made. The Iroquois would soak their... 

Elderberries were listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1831 and the flowers from 1831 to 1905. Elder is still an official herb in the British Pharmacopoeia. Elder is grown on most German properties and the German Office of Health recommends elder flower tea for the treatment of colds with fever. 

Father Kniepp, the Bavarian nature leader who was bom in 1821, recommended elderberry jam "for winter use by those who take little exercise, and are condemned to a tranquil, sedentary life."... 

The culinary, nutritional and medicinal properties of elderberries are legion. They lack the usual tartness of other berries such as strawberries. Drying them improves the flavor. Dry them carefully to prevent mold from growing. Dr. Bernard Jensen recommends elderberry tea as a remedy for ovarian and menstrual problems. 

When made into a syrup elderberries help to coat and protect the throat. Elderberry jam is reported to cleanse the kidneys. 

Use elderberry tincture for the treatment of rheumatism. The high potassium content of elderberries makes them a prime food or supplement for those suffering from angina or high blood pressure. Use elderberries to build the blood and treat anemia. 

Elderberries are used medicinally for catarrh, sore throats, fever and asthma. When cooked with a sweetener into a thick syrup known as a rob they offer the same health benefits. Elderberries are excellent in pies, cobblers, jam, chutney, muffins and puddings. Elderberries are rich in vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and beta-carotene. The berries may be dried and used in winter. Avoid green, unripe berries. The berries should be cooked before eating, remove the seeds when making jam or wine. Elderberry jam is sometimes served as a alternative to cranberry sauce, accompanying turkey or game. 

Only the blue elderberries are edibleSambucus canadensis and S. carulea (found in North America) as well as the European variety S. nigra. The red elder Sambucus pubens has toxic red berries and flowers that are conical rather than flat-topped clusters. "Blue is true and red is dead," is a popular expression among herbal harvesters. 

Elderberries, which ripen in September and October, are relished by many varieties of birds. As an herb used by people, they are somewhat laxative and diuretic. They have been used for centuries in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, facial tics and epilepsy. 

Recently, elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is being used as a natural food coloring. It may be used in both food and beverages to give an appealing color without the side effects of chemical colorants. Its color is more stable under conditions of heat and light than the S. nigra variety. 

Anti-inflammatory. Elder flowers help soothe an inflamed respiratory tract irritated by hay fever and sinusitis. Elder has even been used to calm the agony of gout. Cool, strained elder flower tea makes an excellent application to inflamed eyes. Elderberries taken internally as a tea, tincture or syrup help to soothe irritated bowels or colitis. Topical applications are also helpful for glandular swellings. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Antirheumatic. Elder flower and vinegar fomentations can be used topically for painful joints, muscle soreness and stiffness. Elderberry juice is an ancient remedy to help neuralgia, rheumatism, gout and sciatica. Parts used flowers, berries, leaves. 

Antiviral. Elderberry, an age-old remedy for colds and flu, helps the body fight infection. See page 27 to learn more about recent research. Part used berries. 

Rejuvenative. Elderberry wine and jam have long been given to the elderly to help them feel younger. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Restorative. Rejuvenating to both body and mind, elderberries are a restorative tonic for building the blood back up after childbirth. Elder flowers taken as a tea or snuffed up the nose may also help to restore the sense of smell. Elder flower tea has also been used to restore a person who has fainted. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Elderberries can also be made into a tea. Simmer 1 teaspoon of dried or two teaspoons of fresh berries in I cup of water, covered, for 2 or 3 minutes. Mash the berries to extract their juice. Allow to sit another 5 minutes. Strain. 

Simmer 1 cup of fresh or 1/2 cup dried elderberries in 3 cups of spring water add 1/8 tsp. powdered cloves, 1/4 tsp. powdered cinnamon and 1 inch of fresh chopped ginger root. Mash the berries with the water and spices and simmer at a low boil for 1/2 hour. Strain. Return the liquid to the cooking pot and... 

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