Description
We’ve been giving away cuttings for the American elderberry plant ever since a bird was generous enough to share the seeds at the farm. The more we learned, the more we became intrigued. It’s a lot like neem only easier to grow in the U.S. and Europe. Its documented use doesn’t go as far back as neem, but it does date to 400 BC when Hippocrates called elderberry his “medicine chest.”
Another critical difference is that elderberry leaves, roots and stems are all toxic and should never be eaten. The flowers and ripe fruit are safe, but most scientists recommend that the fruit is cooked before it’s eaten. And while it’s widely used around the world, there are far fewer clinical reports on elderberry than those published on neem.
Still, it’s been a mainstay of European herbal medicine and so widely used that it’s carried in grocery stores. That’s particularly true during this pandemic. Many of the clinical reports on elderberry highlight its immune-boosting, anti-viral and protection against acute respiratory viral infection.*
Most reports, however, are more anecdotal than clinical, although it’s clear that they are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system.
Other reported uses include:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Heart protective
- Constipation
- Joint and muscle pain
- Headaches
- Fever
- Kidney problems
- Epilepsy
- Minor skin conditions
- Stress
- HIV and AIDS
*This statement has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Neem Tree Farms does not sell products that are intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or control any disease.
Because they need expedited shipping, free shipping is NOT available for Living Plants or fresh greenhouse products. Any Living Plants or fresh greenhouse products added to an order will disable Free Shipping.
Please be sure to read our Plant Replacement Policy before purchasing live plants.
Please note: We do not ship live plants or perishable products to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or any of our products out of the U.S.
Please contact us immediately if your plant arrives damaged in shipment. If your plant becomes sickly or fails to thrive, please let us know immediately. We’ll need photos and growing conditions to help you save your plant.
We replace living plants at our discretion within the first three months, once we are sure that you have properly cared for the plant following our directions. We do require that you pay shipping costs on the plant unless it arrives damaged and we can file a claim with the shipping company for replacement.
Lynn –
I planted my American Elderberry plant about two weeks ago. It’s beautiful, healthy, and thriving, and I look forward to watching it grow into a beautiful mature plant whose berries I’ll enjoy and will also leave many on this plant for the birds.
Andrea Coumarian (verified owner) –
Healthy &, now that they’ve been potted into a much bigger pot, thriving – new growth . Can’t wait for the berries to make jam/jelly & to share with the birds.
Linda Brownlow (verified owner) –
Beautiful plant! Arrived in great condition and is growing well in my back yard!
bmiranda869 (verified owner) –
I got my plant about 2 weeks ago and is thriving! It looks so pretty and I can’t wait to watch it grow.
Cindy –
Good mirning, will a American Elder berry grow in Ca. ?
Near Santa Cruz…
Vicki –
They should, they’re native from South America to Canada although only east of the Rockies. That difference shouldn’t make them hard to grow though.