PlantFiles: Elderberry, Black Elder, European Elder, Bourtree
Sambucus nigra

I will tell you the recipe of ELDER SYRUP.

It's a delicious elixir of grandma', used for the protection/healing of respiratory tracts. Now, that the winter is coming soon, it would be very useful, but you will be able to make it only next year (in June, when is its blossoming time).

Let's begin!

Gather about 50 umbels (grouped flowers), put them in a pot with water (3 litres or 6 pints) and let to seethe during the night or better for 24 hours. Next day filter out the umbels, add 1.5 kg (cca. 3 pounds) sugar and heat up until boiling. Filter again and pour immediately in clean glass bottles. Wait for cooling down and put the bottles in the refrigerator. When you feel that cold or flu are coming, put 1-2 tablespoons of this arcanum in your preferred tea or in a cup of mineral water ...and ENJOY!

(Take care not to confuse the elder - Sambucus nigra -, with the wayfarer tree - Viburnum lantana -, which is slightly toxic. They have quite similar flowers.)

This is a shrub, which can reach a height of 12 feet. The leaves are alternate. Each leaf is pinnately divided with five to seven lanceolate leaflets with finely toothed margins. Crushed leaves may have an unpleasant odor.The flowers have 5 Regular Parts and are up to .25 inches wide .They are cream white with yellow anthers with a delightful sweet aroma and sweet muscatel grape flavour. Blooms first appear in late spring and continue into late summer. The small flowers are in a large, showy, nearly flat cluster. These are followed by dark purple, almost black, berries with red juice. Found in moist areas, often near water.