Elder bushes have ancient traditions associated with them in many European cultures. They’ve also become popular as medicine since they are anti-viral and a support to the respiritory system. The flowers in tea or tincture form are used in cases of colds, flus, and diseases with ‘flu-like symptoms.’ It’s said that if you drink elderflower tea in the fall, you will be more resistant to cold weather when winter comes. I learned to cut off a few flowerheads, dry them, and then carefully pick out all the stems, which are somewhat toxic. This year, I learned a better way. By holding the little bowl under the flowers, I was able to knock the pollinated flowers off into the bowl, leaving nothing but petals in my tea, but best of all, leaving the berry on the plant for the second harvest, elder berries for syrups and cordials.