Staying Healthy with Native Plants: Elderberry Shrub
by Michelle Smith
By now, many of us have heard about the wonderful health benefits of elderberry – high in antioxidants, vitamins C and B6, and supportive of overall immune health. It has also been shown to reduce the length and severity of the common cold and flu.* Fortunately for us in Maine and the northeast, elderberry (Sambucus nigra subspecies canadensis, formally known as Sambucus canadensis) is also a native plant to the region. Note that there are several species of elderberry whose fruits are edible, including Sambucus nigra subspecies nigra and Sambucus ebulus, which are the closely-related species native to Europe.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This article is not medical advice. This homemade elderberry syrup recipe is not a replacement for pharmaceuticals or for a doctor visit.Most of the scientific research on medicinal plants has happened in Germany, through their government funded regulatory Commission E. Please do your own research when consuming plants and berries.
Elderberry can be found in the wild in Maine growing near ditches, roadsides, and wet meadows. They prefer full sun and can grow 8-10 feet tall. Their beautiful white flowers bloom in late spring or early summer and attract bees and other pollinators (and the elder flower is also used for culinary and medicinal purposes). Our native species is also an important host plant for over 40 species of butterflies and moths. The fruits ripen in late August and are relished by migrating songbirds. Elderberry is a hearty, deciduous shrub and a wonderful addition to your yard (seeds can be purchased from the Wild Seed Project online shop). With the rise of elderberry’s popularity over the last few years, it can often be difficult to find the berries for making syrups and shrubs – another reason to plant a few in your yard! Be sure to leave some fruits for the birds.
Elderberry has long been used in herbal medicine and it’s easy to continue this healthy tradition today by making elderberry syrups or shrubs.
Because of the added vinegar, elderberry shrub is not as sweet as syrup. Making elderberry shrub is much easier to make than syrup, and you also end up with a larger quantity of liquid (you have to really cook down elderberries to make a good syrup), maximizing the use of your elderberries, which is particularly helpful if you only have a limited amount.
Mix shrub with sparkling water, or drink it on its own.
Elderberry Shrub Recipe
2 cups fresh/ frozen elderberries*
1-quart apple cider vinegar
1-quart honey**
Other spices that you can experiment with: cinnamon, ginger, cloves
Remove as many stems as you can from fresh berries. Place berries in a pot (and cinnamon stick, if using). Bring to a low simmer and remove from heat source. Once cooled, pour the berries and vinegar in a glass jar and let sit overnight. Some let the berries sit in the vinegar for up to two weeks. Feel free to experiment with how long you let them sit.
Strain the berries through a cheesecloth and squeeze out all the liquid. Add the honey and mix well. Pour into glass jars and store in a pantry or cabinet. Make sure to use non-metal lids, as the acid in the vinegar will corrode metal.
* If you are using dried elderberries, use 1 to 1 ¼ cup dried, but experiment with the potency.
** Put in a little honey at a time and taste the shrub. Some people prefer more of a bitter taste, some sweeter – find the right balance you like!
Michelle Smith is a volunteer with Wild Seed Project. She is a freelance communications professional in Portland, Maine, and has managed communications and marketing for several local nonprofits. She enjoys learning about local history, medicinal herbs, native plants, and gardening. Follow her on Instagram @mainebelle.