Elderberry and The Old Moon or the Full Snow Moon

Welcome, snow and moon so bright!   The Full Snow Moon will shine tonight!

A Trip to the Moon, by George Milies

Here we are in the month of February and the ground is covered in deep snow.  I have to remind myself to be diligent about taking all the infusions, tinctures and salves that I have made for just this month.  Many people get run down this time of year, with the lack of fresh vegetables, less time spent in the sun and energy being taxed by shoveling snow and staying warm.  So we start this feature with one of my favorites- Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis.    Elderberry to the rescue!   Shown to lessen the duration of the flu as well as a preventative against the influenza virus, the elderberry plant is a must have for every yard and park.  (See here for an NIH study). In North America, the Sambucus canadensis is the native species, so plant this one to provide nectar and food sources for beneficial insects, birds and butterflies. Elderberry bushes like moist soil in full to part shade.  They make an excellent option for rain gardens, are tolerant of clay soils and help with erosion control.

The berries show up end of August to beginning of September and are wonderful for making elderberry syrup and jams.

The flowers bloom here in Brewster, NY right around the summer equinox, in June.

A roadside shrub

Elderberry syrup is a wonderful way to thwart getting the flu (along with hand washing and good eating!) so here is one of my favorite recipes for the syrup:

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup black elderberries

• 3 cups of water

• 2 T fresh ginger root

• 1 tsp cinnamon powder

• ½ tsp cloves or clove powder

• ½ cup raw honey
• dash of ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg (do not add honey or ginger root)
2. Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 35-40 minutes until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point, remove from heat and add the ginger root.  Let cool enough to be handled and for ginger to infuse the mixture, about 25 minutes. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
3.  Add  ½ cup of honey and stir well.
4. When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a pint sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle (I use an empty maple syrup bottle).   Take 2-3 T three days on followed by three days off unless you have the flu and are looking to shorten the duration; then take daily.  Children love the taste too- enjoy!

A backup for the cupboard.

Hoping to make a tincture with the dried elderberries?  Simply fill a mason jar 3/4 full with the elderberries.  Add 100 proof vodka, apple jack, brandy or grain alcohol and top off to fill the jar.  Close tightly and store in a dark, cool spot.  After a week, top off again with the alcohol that was absorbed and evaporated.  After a minimum of 6 weeks, the tincture is ready to be strained and used.  I usually let it steep for 3 months.  Take a dropper full in water, twice daily as a preventative.  To good health!