American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis):
Distributed in the eastern half of the United States, habitats include many prairies, open woodlands, clearings, and fields. The blooming period occurs from late spring to mid-summer, lasting about 3-4 weeks before being replaced by drupe-like fruits.
Elderberries can be eaten raw and have been used medicinally for treating the flu, alleviating allergies, and boosting overall respiratory health, and when dissolved in wine, is used for rheumatism and traumatic injury.
Elderberries are mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. These flavonoids include anthocyanins that are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage. Also, this plant contains rutin which is a compound most known for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties along with being a blood thinner, preventing the inflammation in vessels caused by frostbites.
Sources:
Common Elderberry (Sambucus nigra canadensis). (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/cm_elder.htm
Sambucus canadensis. (2015, August 13). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus_canadensis
Sambucus. (2015, September 6). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus
Elderberry Benefits & Information (Sambucus Nigra). (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-elderberry.html
Rutin. (2015, August 27). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutin
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