Table of Contents
- Edible Uses of Red-berried Elder
- Medicinal Uses of Red-berried Elder
- Alternative Uses of Red Elderberry
- Growing Sambucus Racemosa
Red elderberry or red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa) is not as edible and medicinal or renown as its relative common elderberry is. But it wins in another area. It’s a wildlife favourite. As soon as the berries are ready, birds flock to this shrub and clear them out quickly. Its early blooms attract pollinators too. And small mammals will forage on it.
Edible Uses of Red-berried Elder
As with common elderberry, red elderberries need to be cooked to be edible. They are not very palatable, but that can be helped by mixing them with sweeter berries. In moderation, they can be used like any other edible berry once cooked.
The flowers can be steeped for a tea.
Medicinal Uses of Red-berried Elder
Red elderberry is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
Medicinal tags include Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic and Purgative. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage includes the fruits or a purgative oil from the seeds used for GI infections. It’s not the gentlest medicine for this and will cause vomiting and diarrhea in large does. It’s not recommended for self treatment.
Alternative Uses of Red Elderberry
The bark produces a black dye.
Either of our local species of elderberry have straight hollow stems that can be used to make flutes, arrow shafts, or spouts for gathering tree sap.
Growing Sambucus Racemosa
This is a wonderful native shrub for birds, small mammals and pollinators. The pollen is collected by various bees, flies and beetles. Insects eat the other parts too, and small carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.) use the hollow stems for their larvae.
Red elderberry shrubs prefer moist soil and will thrive in full sun. Pruned correctly or left in the ideal natural habitat, it can grow into an attractive bush that’s covered in large creamy white flowers in late spring.
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess.
2) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
3) For medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
4) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
5) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/name/Sambucus%20racemosa
https://illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/red_elder.htm
Iwigara
Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern & Central North America
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published (Dover Cookbooks)
Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants