ELDER

ELDER

(Sambucus nigra)       Top Pick

Other Names

Alhuren, American Elder, Battree, Black Elder, Boure Tree, Common Elder, Elderberry, Elhorn, Eldrum, Hylder, Lady Elhorn, Pipe Tree, Rob Elder, Sweet Elder.

Description

Elder grows 10 - 30 feet tall deciduous tree native to Europe.   The bark is light brown near the bottom of the stem changing to a grayish white color as you near the top.   It is covered with strong smelling leaves and white to yellowish-white flowers that bloom from June through July, which then develop into a green berry that turns shiny black once it is ripe.

Classification

Bark - Dry

Flowers/Berries - Dry.

Taste

Bark - Bitter

Flowers/Berries -Slightly sweet.

Balance Yin/Yang

Bark - Hot

Flowers/Berries - Hot

Humor

Uses/Applications

Use the leaves for bruises, sprains, wounds, and chilblains.   Ointment made from the leaves is used for tumors.   Use the flowers for influenza, respiratory, hayfever, and sinusitis.   Chew on a twig to relieve a toothache.

Flowers

Cream

Apply to chapped skin and sores on hands.   It is also good for chilblains.

Eyewash

Use the cold strained infusion for inflamed or sore eyes.

Gargle

Use the infusion for mouth ulcers, sore throats, and tonsillitis.

Infusion

Drink hot for feverish and mucous conditions of the lungs or respiratory tract including hay fever.

Tincture

Take for colds and influenza or in early spring to reduce hay fever.

Berries

Syrup

Make the syrup from the decoction and take for winter colds or in combination with other expectorant herbs.

Tincture

Use in combination with other herbs such as Bogbean or Willow for rheumatic conditions.

Combinations

For colds and fever combine with Peppermint, Yarrow, or Hyssop.   For Influenza combine with Boneset.

Constituents

Flavonoids, Tannins, Essential Oil; Berries - Invert Sugar, Fruit Acids, Tannins, Vitamin C & A, Anthrocyanic, Pigments, Traces of Essential Oils.

Action

Bark - Purgative, Emetic, Diuretic

Leaves - External:   Emollient, Vulnerary, Diuretic

Flowers - Diaphoretic, Anti-Catarrhal, Pectoral

Berries - Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Laxative.

Food Values

Vitamins C & A.

Part Used

Bark, Flowers, Berries, Leaves.

Collection

Collect the flowers in the spring, then dry rapidly in the shade.   Collect the bark and the berries in late summer or early fall.   Collect the leaves throughout the season.

Preparation

Cold Extract

Add 1 Tbsp. leaves to 1 cup cold water.   Let stand for 10 hours.   Take as needed. 

Infusion

Pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 Tsp. of dried herb.   Infuse 10 minutes.   Take three times per day.

Juice

Boil the fresh berries in water for 3 minutes, then express the juice.   To preserve, bring the juice to a boil with 1 part honey to 10 parts juice.   Take 1 glass diluted with hot water two times per day.

Ointment

Mix 3 parts fresh Elder leave with 6 parts of melted petroleum jelly.   Heat, and stir until leaves are crisp, then strain and store.

Take 225 gr. fresh elder leaves, 60 gr. ground ivy, 120 gr. fresh wormwood - cut small.   Heat in 1.8 kg. petroleum jelly until the leaves are crisp.   Strain and press out ointment for storage.

Tincture

Take 2 - 4 ml. three times per day.

Growing Directions

Visit your local nursery for growing information for your area.

History

There is a wealth of folklore attached to this plant.   It is often called “The complete medical chest”   because of its countless therapeutic. qualities.   It is classed as both a hot and dry herb.   In the 17th century it was a favorite remedy for clearing phlegm, both as an expectorant for coughs and as a violent purgative.   Elder Flower water was very popular in the 18th Century for removing freckles.

Additional Information

1.   In the days before imported fruit the berries were made into wine and syrup. 

2.   The bark is rarely used today but was used in the past for stubborn constipation and as an effective liver stimulant.

Cautions

1.   Do not take any parts of the elder if the condition would be worsened by further drying or fluid depletion.

2.   Do not use the bark if you are pregnant as it is a very strong purgative.

Magick Information

Gender:

Feminine

Planet:

Venus

Element:

Water

Deity:

Holda, Venus.

Powers:

Healing, Protection.

Magickal Uses:

Wear Elder to ward off attackers.   To keep evil away from your home hang Elder in the windows.   Carry the berries to protect against evil and negative energy.   To bless someone or something scatter Elder to the four winds in the name of the person, place, or thing.   Use Elder at your wedding to bring you good luck.    The branches make excellent flutes which you can then use to call forth spirits with your music.   Magicians use the wood in magick wands.   Gypsies forbid the use of Elder because they believe it is dangerous to burn.