Elderberries and Roses

Elderberries and Roses. . , The common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a shrub which grows wild in much of eastern North America. In the spring this bush produces an abundance of white flowers which later ripen into a flavourful purple, black fruit. , The Ojibway people made wide use of the whole plant, which they called “bibigweminan” for both food and medicinal purposes. Tea was made from the inner bark, leaves were used to induce sweating during a cold and both the fruit and flowers were eaten in a variety of ways. Elderberries were also popular with the early settlers, who commonly used them for pies, jams, jellies, wine, and also dried them for winter use., Roses can claim to be one of the most loved and earliest cultivated of all flowers. They have long been symbols of love, war and beauty. Roses were grown not just as ornamental plants, but were also valued for their medicinal properties. The settlers found the rose to be an important plant. Leaves, flowers and rosehips were used to make a wide variety of home remedies. Rose petals were gathered to make a soothing lotion for inflamed eyes, or as a gargle for sore throats. A salve was used to heal wounds. , The Ojibway people also used wild roses for making medicinal teas, calling the rosehips “oginiminaga wunj” and used the cooked hips for soups and stews. The rosehips were dried for winter use and were an important source of vitamin C during the winter months. , Rose Petal Vinegar , Fill a glass bottle with fresh, fragrant rose petals. Pour white vinegar over them, filling the bottle. Stand the bottle in the sun for two weeks, strain. The pioneers had many uses for this delicious vinegar.