American elder (sureau)

Traditionally used

Sureau — the American elder, naturalized across the West Indies, the Caribbean elder that stands where European elderflower and elderberry were used. An infusion of the cream flowers is a gentle diaphoretic for colds and fever; the cooked ripe berries make a soothing winter syrup. ⚠ Use the flowers and cooked ripe fruit only — raw berries, leaves, and bark carry cyanogenic compounds and turn the stomach.

In three languages

Kreyòl — ⚠ Sèlman sèvi ak flè yo ak fwi mi kuit — grenn kri, fèy, ak kòs gen konpoze sianojenik ki bay kè plen. Sureau se sureau ameriken an, li vin poze nan tout Zantiy yo, kote li ranplase flè ak grenn sureau ewopeyen an te konn sèvi nan tradisyon Gwadloup ak Matinik. Yon enfizyon flè krèm se yon dyaforetik dou kont lafyèv ak grip; grenn mi kuit fè yon siwo dou pou tous ki dire lontan.

Français — Sureau — le sureau américain, naturalisé dans les Antilles, le sureau caribéen qui tient la place où l'on employait fleur et baie de sureau d'Europe. Une infusion des fleurs crème est un diaphorétique doux pour les refroidissements et la fièvre ; les baies mûres cuites donnent un sirop d'hiver apaisant. ⚠ N'employer que les fleurs et le fruit mûr cuit — baies crues, feuilles et écorce renferment des composés cyanogènes et soulèvent le cœur.

The crossing

The elder that crossed with the ships — European Sambucus nigra's American kin, naturalized across the West Indies and standing in for elderflower and elderberry.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

⚑Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

Kept alongside

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