Sambucus mexicana is
known as natures medicine chest. The berries can be mixed into tea
and are good for rheumatism. The flowers can be used as a vanilla
substitute and are good when cooked into a tea for purging the body of
waste. Large quatities of raw fruit may cause a belly ache but they
make a darn good jam. It is probably best to avoid the unripe
berries. There tends to be a lot of insects in the fruit and
flowers. Careful cleaning is advised. Sambucus mexicana is
native throughout the West Coast States and in each of the states across
our Southern Border as well. Sambucus mexican tends to grow as a
large bush. Selective pruning will be required to make the Mexican
Elderberry into a tree. Sambucus mexicana tends to grow very quickly
and get quite twiggy. I trim the Mexican Elderberry back
regularly. Sambucus has hollow stems that have been made into flute
like instruments.
High resolution
images
of Sambucus mexicana are available
