Caution, poisonous!
All parts of the lilac plant, especially the bark, the leaves and the berries, contain the glycoside syringin, which is only found in the real lilac (lat. Syringa). The substance is considered to be slightly toxic, which you should already notice when you try a flower: Even if it smells seductively sweet, it tastes very bitter. As is so often the case in nature, this taste is an indication of the compatibility of a plant with the human or animal organism. Now, due to the low toxic amounts, you would have to ingest a lot of poisonous plant parts in order to suffer symptoms of poisoning such as cramps, vomiting or diarrhea. However, consumption is not advisable because sensitive people, children and small pets in particular react very quickly.
also read
- Underplant lilacs - which species are suitable?
- Are gladioli edible or poisonous?
- How toxic are bluebells actually?
Edible “lilac” - be careful, risk of confusion!
But if lilacs are poisonous, why are there so many recipes in which mainly flowers and berries are processed? The solution to the riddle is very simple: In some regions of Germany (especially in Northern Germany!) Not only the common lilac is referred to as such, but also the black elder (Sambucus nigra). As a result, it is its flowers and berries that are processed into syrup and juice - and that has been proven to actually help against fever, in contrast to the real lilac. So don't let yourself be misled and use the flowers and fruits of the elderberry bush for teas, infusions and for making juice.
Lilac syrup
This “lilac blossom” syrup tastes particularly delicious in herbal teas, in sparkling water or in sparkling wine:
ingredients
- 15 to 20 elderflower umbels
- two kilograms of sugar
- two liters of water
- the juice of a squeezed lemon
- 50 grams of citric acid
How to do it
- First, shake the flower umbels out over a kitchen towel to remove dirt and small insects.
- If necessary, you can swirl the flowers briefly in standing water.
- Let them drain and remove the flower stalks.
- Boil the sugar with the water until it has dissolved.
- Pour the flowers, lemon juice, and citric acid into a bowl.
- Pour the hot sugar solution over the mixture.
- Let it cool and put the covered bowl in a dark and cool place for three to four days.
- Strain the syrup mixture through a fine sieve or cloth and boil it again.
- Fill the finished syrup into bottles.
Tips
The buddleia (Buddleja), which is not related to the real lilac, is also considered to be slightly poisonous.
