Elderberry | Elderflower
ELDERBERRY & ELDERFLOWER | BAYA DE SAUCO & FLOR DE SAUCO
Elderberry and its beautiful flower, flor de saúco. This isn’t just another “immune-boosting berry” you find on health store shelves during cold season. Elder is one of the most ancient, culturally sacred, and medicinally rich plants in the Western herbal world, with roots that reach deep into European, Indigenous, and Latin American healing traditions.
Elderberry’s story goes back thousands of years. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates called the elder tree his “medicine chest” because nearly every part of it - berries, flowers, bark, and leaves - was used to treat a wide range of ailments. The Romans used it to dye fabrics, soothe colds, and treat inflammation. In Celtic and Germanic folklore, the elder tree was believed to be a home for spirits- particularly a protective goddess or guardian known as the Elder Mother. You didn’t cut down an elder tree without asking permission (or risking her wrath), because this tree was medicine, magic, and mystery all in one.
Fast forward to the Middle Ages, and elder was a staple in European folk medicine. Healers used the berries to support the immune system, especially against fever, colds, and flu, while the flowers (flor de saúco) were made into teas to promote sweating, detox, and relief from upper respiratory infections. Elderflower also became a gentle go-to for children’s fevers, skin eruptions, and even emotional heaviness- it was the herb you reached for when someone needed cooling, calming, and clearing all at once.
In Latin and Indigenous American traditions, flor de saúco has long been cherished for similar reasons. In Mexican herbalism and curanderismo, it’s used to “sweat out” fevers, relieve chills, and clear the lungs. The tea is often given for colds, flu, sinus congestion, and even to soothe nervous energy. Some also use it spiritually for protection, cleansing, and ancestral connection.
Modern science eventually caught up. Elderberries are now recognized for their high levels of anthocyanins, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which help reduce viral replication, shorten the duration of colds and flu, and support overall immune resilience. The flowers, meanwhile, are anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic (promote sweating), and gently soothing to the skin and mucous membranes.
But elder isn’t just about your immune system. Elder is a threshold plant. It’s used at times of transition, illness, healing, and letting go. It used when the body needs support, and when the spirit needs clearing. Whether you're brewing it into a sweet syrup, steeping the blossoms into tea, or hanging the dried flowers over a sick bed, elder reminds us that healing is physical and emotional. It’s a plant of grief and renewal, of strength and softness.
Medicinal Uses of Elderberry
Immune System Support
Stimulates and modulates immune response
Helps the body resist infections and shorten the duration of cold and flu
Antiviral Activity
Shown in studies to reduce viral replication, particularly with influenza and respiratory viruses
Often used at the first signs of illness to prevent symptoms from worsening
Rich in Antioxidants
Contains anthocyanins, flavonoids, and vitamin C
Protects cells from oxidative stress and supports tissue repair
Anti-inflammatory
Reduces systemic inflammation, especially during viral or allergic responses
May help ease sinus swelling, body aches, and mucosal inflammation
Supports Cardiovascular Health
Antioxidants in elderberry support healthy blood vessels and reduce oxidative damage to the heart
May help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol
Digestive Tonic (When Cooked)
Gently stimulates digestion and can ease constipation
Unripe or raw berries should be cooked to neutralize potentially irritating compounds
Medicinal Uses of Elderflower / Flor de Saúco
Fever Reducer (Diaphoretic)
Promotes sweating, helping to break fevers gently and naturally
Commonly used in teas during cold and flu to support healing
Upper Respiratory Relief
Soothes sinus congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and mild bronchitis
Reduces inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose and throat
Allergy Support
Acts as a mild antihistamine and anti-inflammatory, easing hay fever, puffy eyes, and sinus pressure
Gentle Detox and Lymphatic Support
Encourages the movement of fluids and supports cleansing via sweat, urine, and lymph
Used traditionally in spring detox formulas and skin-clearing teas
Skin and Eye Care
Elderflower tea or compresses can soothe irritated skin, eczema, rashes, and inflammation
Used as an eyewash for tired, puffy, or irritated eyes
Nervous System and Emotional Soothing
Traditionally used to calm grief, anxiety, and emotional stagnation
Supports transitions—physical and emotional—like illness, loss, or seasonal change
Mild Laxative and Digestive Support
Encourages gentle elimination, especially in tense or sluggish systems
Common Preparations
Elderberry syrup: Popular for immune support during cold and flu season
Tea (flowers or berries): For fever, sinus, and detox support
Tincture or glycerite: Concentrated immune, antiviral, or nervous system support
Compress or wash (flowers): For skin or eye irritation
Infused oil or salve (flowers): For skin inflammation and minor wounds