Everything Elderberry: How to Forage, Cultivate, and Cook with this Amazing Natural Remedy

by Susannah Shmurak

This book is for everyone from novices to advanced herbalists and contains everything you need to know to source elderberries and make the most potent and delicious natural remedies and treats.

Used for centuries to fight illness, elderberries’ reputation as an effective home remedy for colds and flu has been borne out by numerous scientific studies.

While elderberry syrup is perhaps this amazing berry’s best-known form, there is so much more we can make from flavorful elderberries! In addition to its flu-fighting superpowers, elderberry contains potent antioxidants that support long-term health. Elderberries make nutritious and tasty additions to baked goods, drinks, and all manner of treats. Once you get started making your own elderberry gummies and homemade beverages, you won’t want to stop! 

Everything Elderberry will introduce readers to the science behind elderberries, their traditional uses, what to know about growing and foraging elderberries, and how to prepare numerous mouthwatering elderberry and elderflower recipes. From simple teas, syrups, and tinctures, to jams, desserts, and wine, Everything Elderberry will have you hooked on these gorgeous gifts from Mother Nature! The recipes featured here
 

Genres: Cookbooks, Gardening

216 pages, Hardcover

Published September 8, 2020

About the author

Susannah Shmurak is an enthusiastic advocate for natural, sustainable lifestyles and has written widely on natural remedies, gardening, health, and environmental issues for numerous websites and magazines.

She lives in Minnesota, where she has created an edible landscape on her 1/10th acre lot that serves as a laboratory for her experiments in foraging wild plants, natural pest control, and growing food with as little work as possible.

She shares practical shortcuts for natural living, gardening, and sustainable choices at
HealthyGreenSavvy.com.

Reviews

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always looking for good resources on growing and using plants as food and medicine, and this book makes an excellent all-around resource with information on everything from foraging and growing, to preserving and using the wonderful elderberry.

Elderberries are such an amazing plant - as a source of both food and medicine. Susannah has written an excellent resource on the elderberry with well-researched information on the traditional uses of elderberry, along with current research supporting the many benefits.

As someone who forages and cultivates Elderberry, I appreciate the detailed information she provides. And I love - love - LOVE the variety of recipes! I have made elderberry syrup and a few others before, but I'm excited at the variety of recipes included in this book.

Whether you use fresh or dried, foraged, cultivated, or purchased elderberries, this book is a must have resource!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history, medicinal studies, and recipes, with lots of good to know tidbits you might not have heard, and a listing of varieties for different regions. I found the book a little light in the propagation and planting. I am disappointed in the lack of color photos, especially the lack of any photos in the propagation section, and the foraging section where she names plants to avoid that may look somewhat similar to elderberry. (Water hemlock’s juice reacts to sunlight and can cause blisters on skin.) True, you can look them up elsewhere, but having everything to hand in a complete reference is better.

[Vladka Mervova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and easy-to-read book about elderberry and its usefulness in herbal medicine in the modern world. Whether you are an experienced forager or enthusiastic gardener you will learn how elderberries are a versatile herb that can be used in tinctures, concoctions, skincare or simply added to various dishes. The author Susannah Shmurak provides an overview supported with scientific studies conducted on elderberries that clarify conflicting recommendations about elderberry uses and their toxicity. This book covers everything well.
Disclosure: I received a copy for an honest review.

[Jackie Marie Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susannah Shmurak has masterfully combined the best of academic science and research with her own tried and true experiments in her kitchen to create tasty recipes and healthy treats in this comprehensive guide to Elderberries. Learn the benefits from both berries and flowers for you and your family. Chapters cover immune support, skin care, sourcing and growing, preserving and preparing and recipes for everyone.

[Thomas H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Elderberry is just that! Everything you’d ever want to know about elderberry from fun facts of the Elder wood used in Harry Potter, to unique recipes, foraging and sourcing help, comprehensive list of benefits and oodles more on this amazing purple berry! I’m very familiar with elderberry since I’m an elderberry maker and was happy that Susannah did her research and left no “berry unturned!”

[Cheska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative book. There are not a lot of library books available on how to use elderflowers and elderberries. I have tons of these bushes on the property, and finally decided to learn how to harvest, dry/dehydrate, and make syrups out of them. You see a lot of conflicting information about the plant, especially how they can be toxic, so it was good to get something that walked you through that information and how to prepare foods safely.

[Chrystal Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My recipe for Sore Throat Lollipops in featured in Everything Elderberry, so I got to see an advance copy and it's such a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to learn about elderberries. Not only does it have all of the scientific information about elderberries, but it also has a ton of really great recipes to help you start using them right away.