It is not for nothing that they say: “Bow before chamomile, kneel before elder.” Our ancestors attributed great power to the flowers and fruits of black elder, and to this day it is one of the most used medicines in our regions. Sometimes elderberry is even described as a miracle plant, and no wonder. In the past, almost everything was treated with elderberry. Its flowers are full of vitamin C as well as flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants.
You can make a great syrup from elderflowers right now>>>
And why shouldn’t you miss the elderflowers, but go and pick them?
It will strengthen your immunity
Elderberry flowers are rich in vitamin C, which is key to strengthening the immune system. They also contain flavonoids, which increase the absorbability of vitamin C and have antioxidant propertyi, so they help protect cells from free radical damage.
It cures cold and cough
Elderflowers also have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which are particularly useful in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Elderflower tea can help relieve symptoms of colds, coughs and sinus infections. It also helps loosen and cough up mucus, making breathing easier. Not only drinking tea is effective, but also inhalation of steam from elderflowers.
They will help with detoxification
Elderflowers have diuretic properties, which means they promote the production and excretion of urine. This is important for detoxification of the organism because they help flush out harmful toxins and excess salts from the body. Detoxification can contribute to better functioning of the liver and kidneys, which are the main organs responsible for blood purification. Regular consumption of elderflower tea can also support digestion and relieve bloating. Overall, elderberry flowers contribute to a better functioning of the whole body and a feeling of vitality.
It will improve your skin
Elderflowers contain a lot of antioxidants, which, as already mentioned, help fight free radicals. It is these that cause skin aging and the appearance of wrinkles. The anti-inflammatory properties of elderflowers can also help reduce redness and swelling caused by acne or other skin problems. You can make poultices from tea made from elderflowers that will soothe irritated skin and speed up its healing. And not only that. It also supports skin hydration and improves its elasticity.
Homemade elderberry syrup: Detailed instructions on how to prepare it hot and cold
They are best in May and June
Elderflowers are best collected in May or June, but you can also come across them later in the summer. It is best to set out for them with a wicker basket and scissors, on a dry and sunny day when the flowers are full of fragrant pollen. It is this that gives syrup and other delicacies prepared from flowers a beautiful aroma. Therefore it is also good not to rinse the flowers too much, so that you don’t needlessly wash the pollen off them. If you leave them spread out on a towel for an hour, the bugs will crawl out of them by themselves. Before you use them, you should of them cut off the thicker intermediate stemswhich have a bitter taste.
Cut off the thicker interstems from the elderflowers, otherwise the syrup would be bitter.
• Author: iStock
Elderflowers 3 times differently
An excellent syrup is prepared from the fragrant flowers of elderberry, which is the basis of many summer alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and is added to tea. They can also be made jamuse them in sweet pastries or eat them as is furry onesi.e. wrapped in batter and fried until golden.
Refreshing elderberry lemonade
Elderberry lemonade
• Author: iStock
What you will need:
- 4 liters of water
- 500 g of sugar (cane sugar can also be used)
- 15 elder flowers
- 2 organic lemons
- 1/2 teaspoon of dry yeast
- lemon or orange for garnish
Approach:
1. Boil the water with sugar and let it cool a little. Add the washed lemons cut into rounds and let cool to room temperature. Then add the elderflowers and dried yeast, mix well, cover with a clean tea towel, secure with a rubber band and leave in a warm place (not in direct sunlight) for 1-2 days.
2. Pour the lemonade through a colander lined with cheesecloth and serve well chilled, garnished with slices of lemon or orange.
Lemon cake with elderberry frosting
Lemon cake with elderberry frosting
• Author: iStock
What you will need:
- 250 g plain flour
- 1 baking powder
- 4 eggs
- 150 g cucumber
- 80 g of melted butter
- 100 ml of milk
- 100 ml of white yogurt
- juice and grated rind of 2 lemons
- pinch of salt
- butter for sprinkling and coarse flour for sprinkling the mold
- elderflowers for decoration
For the frosting:
- 200 g of powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons of elderberry syrup
- a little lemon juice (as needed)
Approach:
1. Mix flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt in a bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until pale. Gradually add melted butter, milk, plain yogurt, lemon juice and zest. Mix well and then mix in the flour mixture a little at a time.
2. Pour the batter into a greased and lined cake pan, place in the oven at 180°C and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack and let it cool completely.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar with the elderberry syrup and stir with a wooden spoon until a smooth white frosting forms. If it is too thick, add a few drops of lemon juice.
4. Pour the finished icing onto the cooled cake and decorate it with fresh elderflowers.
Elderflower jam
Elderberry jam
• Author: iStock
What you will need:
- 30 large elderflowers
- 2.5 l of water
- 2 organic lemons
- 2.5 kg of granulated sugar
- 3 packs of gelling agent
Approach:
1. Put the elderflowers in a pot, cover them with water, add the peel of both washed lemons (only the yellow part) and the squeezed lemon juice. Bring everything to a boil and cook for about 15 minutes with the lid on. Remove from heat and let infuse covered until the next day.
2. Strain the elderberry extract through a colander lined with cheesecloth and squeeze the elderberries well. Pour the infusion into a clean pot, add the sugar mixed with the gelling agent and cook according to the instructions on the gelling agent package.
3. Pour the hot jam into clean glasses, close them well and turn them upside down for a few minutes. Then turn them back over and let them cool.
And this is how elderflowers are made into cosmetics>>>
How to use elderberry syrup? For ice cream, cake and cocktail!