As early as in ancient Greece, the berries and flowers were being used by Hippocrates. Thanks to Father Kneipp, who appreciated the variety of uses of the elderberry, and Hildegard of Bingen, who recommended a drink made from elderberry for its sweat-inducing effect, the plant is still firmly established. The (black) elder bush can grow up to 11m high. The white and spicy-scented elderflower begins to blossom towards the end of May. The black berries ripen during late summer and, although poisonous in their raw state, they can be made into juice and syrup. Both the flowers and the berries can be used to make essences and tea. To make Grether’s Pastilles Elderflower, sun-ripened flowers are picked and carefully selected from local elderberry trees. A syrup obtained in a complex process gives the pastilles their pleasant floral note and special aroma. Grether’s Pastilles Elderflower sugar-freeMaltitol syrup, food-grade gelatine, apple juice, acidifier (citric acid), glycerine (1.5%), thickener (agar-agar), vegetable oil (coconut oil and rapeseed oil), coating agent (beeswax), natural elderflower flavouring, elderflower extract (0.14%), lemon balm extract, sweetener (acesulfame-K). With sweeteners. May have a laxative effect if consumed in excess.