by Carol Bond
HISTORY OF ELDER
Elder is one of the human race’s oldest plant allies because it has been found in Stone Age sites. Elder flower has been used since antiquity as a diaphoretic and diuretic. Elder was written of and used in the time of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and through the centuries by many other ancient herbalists. It is written about and used by modern herbalists today.
The name Sambucus, which is Elder genus, appears in the writings of Pliny and other ancient writers and more than likely comes from the Greek word Sambuca, the Sackbut, which was an ancient musical instrument. It was made from Elder because of the woods hardness, so not only did the plant heal the body, it also made music to heal the soul. These instruments were much used by the Romans. The problem some historians have with this is that the Sambuca was a stringed instrument and most likely anything made from Elder would be a wind instrument like a pan-pipe or a flute. Pliny records the belief held by the country folks was “that the shrillest pipe and most sonorous horn were made from Elder trees.” In Italy, people presently make simple pipes called Sampogna from Elder branches.
The word “Elder” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “Auld.” In those days there were trees called Eldrun, which become Hyldor and Hyllantree in the 14th century. One of its names in modern Germany is Hollunder, which probably comes from the same origin. In Low-Saxon the name is Elhorn, which means fire, because the branches of Elder have a soft, white pith in the middle, which can be pushed out quite easily, and the hollow tubes were used for blowing up fires. The name Pipe-tree, Bore-tree, and Bour-tree are still used in Scotland today and are traced back to the Anglo-Saxon form, Burtre. The French name for Elder is Sureau.
Elder has been valued for it’s medicinal uses for thousands of years and is considered sacred and magical in folklore mythology and treated with great respect. The English said their summer had not arrived until the Elder was in full bloom and that it ended when the berries were ripe.
Elder holds a place of fondness, in the hearts of the English people, for its uses and beauty. In ” Loves Labor Lost” reference is made to the common medieval belief that Judas was hanged in an Elder. This can be found in literature as far back as the middle of the 14th century.
Another old tradition was that the cross of Calvary was made of Elder, and because of this Elder became an emblem of sorrow and death.
An old custom of Gypsies forbade them to use Elder to build their campfires. Even today one sometimes comes across a hedge-cutter that will not trim an Elder tree for fear of bad luck. Elder’s narcotic smell made some think it was not wise to sleep under its shade.
In Denmark, the Elder is connected with magic. In its branches was supposed to live a dryad, Hylde-Moer, the Elder tree mother who lived in the tree and watched over it. If the tree was cut down and made into furniture, Hylde-Moer was believed to follow her property and haunt the Owners.
In earlier days, the Elder tree was supposed to ward off evil influence and give protection from witches. Green Elder branches were buried in the graves to protect the dead from witches. In 1664 John Evelyn ballyhooed Elder as a “…Catholicon against all infirmities whatever.” It was said to be a curative for more than 70 diseases from plague to toothache. The flower tincture was even said to restore sight to the blind. Both syrup of Elder berries and rob [juice thickened by heat] of Elder berries were once official in England, the rob being the oldest of the two and the one that retained its place in the pharmacopoeia. There were at least six or seven robs listed in the Londo[n] pharmacopoeia. They were thicker than a syrup but the ingredients were the same except, sugar was added to most of the robs. Brookes in 1773 strongly recommended it as a “saponaceous resolvent promoting the natural secretions by stool, urine, and sweat, and diluted with water for common colds.” John Wesley in his “Primitive Physick” directs Elder robs to be taken in broth.
In Germany it was used as an ingredient in soups. In 1788 its name was changed to “saccus sa[m]buci spissatus” and in 1809 it disappeared altogether.
Elder berries were listed in the official pharmacopoeias for a few years during the 19th century and the flowers for nearly a century long period, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. The flowers were listed as mildly stimulant, carminative, and diaphoretic. Until the end of the 19th century hot Elderberry wine was sold in the streets of London on cold nights and days to cheer travelers and workers. Cinnamon was often added to the wine to aid in the warming effects.
Elder was used in many countries by many people and the Native Americans in this continent had been using it for a long time also. Some New World settlers studied Indian medicine and wrote medicinal guides. A few old Indian folk medicine guides listed the bark and flowers as diuretic, purgative, and emetic. In one guide J.I. Lighthall wrote “The foggy idea of cutting the bark up and down, reversing its medical action, that is, vomiting and purging, is all bosh. It is all owing to the size of the dose, and not the way the bark is cut. In large doses it will vomit, and in smaller ones act as a purgative. Any superstitious reader doubting this will be convinced of the fact by trying it on their own bodies. We obtain positive facts in reference to the action of medicine in different doses, by trying them on ourselves. I speak from experience, not book reading,” Lighthall repeated a number of common Indian uses for Elder stating that “hot tea of flower had a diaphoretic effect, a diuretic effect when taken cold. A tea of bark taken in tablespoon doses three of four swallows every few minutes would make you throw up.” A few other common Indian remedies were, the Mohegans used tea of Elder flower for babies colic discomforts. The Menominees drank a tea of dried flowers to reduce fevers. The Hou[m]a Indians made a wash of boiled bark for inflammations. Meskwakis used a tea of the root bark to bring on the expulsion of phlegm, to help headaches, and to encourage labor. Choctaws pounded Elder leaves and mixed them with salt, then applied this to the head for headaches. The wide use of Elder by the Native Americans, combined with the old folk recipes brought over from the old world is probably why Elder became an important ingredient in many white families medicinal remedies in the New World.
Elder berries were entered into the United States Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1831 when their juice was used for wine. Elder flowers were in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1831 to 1905 when they were used as flower water and as a flavoring. Dr. John Gathercoal, who studied natural medicine at the University of Illinois in the 1940’s stated “that a strained, sterilized tea was used as a mild stimulant, calmative, and diaphoretic.”
All parts of Elder has been utilized through the centuries and with prudence, skill, and understanding of the plant’s actions it was used and caused no harm. In modern times, Elderberries have been shown to have anti-viral qualities. There are extracts of Elder berries and/or flowers, and Elder berries combined with other herbs to help with the common cold and flu. These are available at herb stores everywhere. There are not any plant, bark or root product for sale that I have seen, maybe because this is the most potent part of the plant and if it were on the market, some people would not take it correctly and might possibly take too much.
LOCATION OF ELDER
There are several species of the Sambucus genes. The three blue fruited ones that inhabit the west are Sambucus cerulea also known as Sambucus glauca, Sambucus canadensis, and Sambucus mexicana. These are all used in the same ways and are similar in appearance. There is also a red fruited species, Sambucus racemosa, that is not used for medicine. The strained berry pulp of this tree is used for jellies. Some of the common names are Black Elder, Rob Elder, Sweet Elder, Blue Elder, Common Elder, Elderberry, and Stinking Elder. Sambucus nigra and Sambucus ebulus common name, Dwarf Elder, are the species that grow in Europe and they are used in much the same way as our species. Sambucus is in the Honeysuckle family, Caprifoliacea[e], in Latin.
Elder is a large, beautiful shrub or small tree usually less than twenty-five foot tall. The stems are straight, jointed and hollow except for a small amount of whitish pith that becomes less as the branches grow. They grow in thick clumps and the bark is rough and grayish-brown.
The leaves are five to nine inches long and are pinnately divided with five to eleven serrated leaflets each with a pointed tip. The lower leaflets are often lobed. Elder can be confused with Ash which has similar compound leaves. Some Ash have alternate leaves while Elder, even the branches, are always paired. The seeds of Ash are winged where as the Elder grows dark blue berries.
Elder blooms from April to June and its flowers grow in dense, flat topped, umbel cluster of small whitish-cream colored blooms. These clusters can be as wide as eight inches across. Some people find their aroma distasteful while others find it quite pleasant. They have a very muscatel odor. The flowers turn into dark blue to purplish berries in mid to late summer and as they mature the limbs if the trees literally droop from the weight of the berries. The trees are very beautiful at this time of the year.
Elder is a hardy plant and not to particular about where it grows but it does really well in rich, moist soils with some shade. It grows along road banks, in forest clearings, valley bottoms, gullies, open dry slopes, and it grows from sea level to timberline which is about 10,000 feet. One species or another grow from the East Coast to California, north into Canada and Alaska and south past the border. Elder pretty much makes it’s home across the North American continent and across Europe.
The berries are edible when cooked or dried. The berries can be dried on a tarp in the sun or in a dehydrator. They can be reconstituted with water and used in all kinds of dishes like muffins, pancakes, pies, trail mixes, hot cereal, etc. Cooked and strained berries make wonderful jellies and tasty juice to quench the thirst. You can use them alone or mix with other kinds of juices to make a delightful mixed juice. The blooms are edible ad can be dipped in batter and deep fried for a delicious Elder fritter.
When harvesting the flowers or berries, pick whole clusters. The berries facing the East and West where the sun has shone directly on them yield the sweeter, less bitter tasting fruits. The whole clusters dry better and the fruit or blooms can be removed from the stems afterwards. Leaves, bark, and roots are not edible but can be dried to use in medicinal remedies of one knows how to use them. They can mildew easily if bundled, so to avoid this, dry whole branches singly and remove leaves and bark afterwards.
Elder can be propagated by cuttings of bare shoots in autumn, digging up and replanting sucker roots in the spring or autumn, and by planting seeds in the spring. If Elder is growing in an area where there is a need to keep it trimmed to a certain size, prune them in the late autumn or early spring before any new growth appears.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF ELDER
All plants are made up of vitamins, mineral, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and all kinds of chemical constituents and Elder is no different. It is these chemical constituents that have the medicinal qualities. Sometimes the constituents that make up a plant are the same in all of it parts like the roots, leaves, bark, flowers, and fruit and sometimes they are different. Many times there is less or more of the same constituents in each individual part of the plant. These plant building blocks are what heal and nourish our bodies. Plant substances are put into three main categories, nutrient, medicinal nutrient, and medicinal. This means that some plants are considered to be foods for normal consumption, some are medicinal foods, and some are strictly medicinal. The plants in the strictly medicinal category need to be used with skill and knowledge because they could by toxic. Elder fits into the medicinal nutrient category.
Drug companies like to take plants and break them down to isolate certain chemical constituents that often turn out to be toxic when ingested alone and the same constituent is harmless when the whole plant is taken as the creator intended. The body seems to know what to do with all the parts of the plant, which ones to utilize and which ones to eliminate. The plants get what they need from the soil and we get what we need from the whole plant. Dr. Shook put it like this “Just as the cells which compose the different organs and tissues select only those elements from the blood, which are their natural foods, and without which, it would not be possible to constantly maintain their peculiar and particular chemical constitution… So, also, do the herbs which supply those particular chemical constituents to the animal or human body select only those elements from the soil which build or maintain their various and peculiar chemical constituents.
The bark of Elder has a soft resin, that is a protective secretion that is not water soluble and hardens in contact with air. It also has viburnic acid that induces perspiration in humans. There is traces of volatile oil, which are the active compounds of aromatic medicinal agents, albumen, fats, wax, grape sugar, various alkalines, earthy salts and gums, which are water soluble secretions that harden in air. There are traces of pectin that binds the plant cell walls together and helps to clean toxins out of our bodies, chlorophyll the green plant pigment, starch which is a principle food storage substance of plants and tannic acid that helps protect the plant and helps our bodies fight infection.
The most important constituent of the flower is a trace of semi-solid volatile oil which is the source of its odor.
The leaves contain an alkaloid called sambucine, a resin that causes purging. Alkaloids are often used as a chemical defense by the plant kingdom. Glucosides samunigrin is also present in crystallized white felted needles. Fresh leaves have hydrocyanic acid, cane sugar, potassium nitrate, and a crystal like substance called eldrin.
The berries contain sugars, tyrosin, hydrocyanic acid, viburnic acid, and odorous oil combined with malates of potash and lime. Maleic and tartatic acids which have an alkalizing and cleansing effect in the body is also in the berries. They are rich in vitamin c, vitamin a, calcium, phosphorous, and potassium. Six to ten drops of Elder berry tincture each day provides all the potassium the body needs. There are traces of protein, riboflavin, niacin, and iron. They have 72 calories per 100 grams of berries.
It is always interesting to know what constituents are in plants so then you have an idea of what to expect medicinally and nutritionally from them.
MEDICINAL QUALITIES OF ELDER
Herbology, as practiced in Europe and North America, is based on the principal that if the systems (digestive, circulatory, etc.) of the human body are functioning correctly, then the body will maintain or achieve optimal health. Using herbs to obtain and maintain health embodies the idea of preventative medicine, quality of life and increasing long life. But in practice, this means cleansing and revitalizing body systems. Medicinal plants like Elder are used to effect change in body systems when there is sickness and disease and bring the body back into homeostasis.
Elder has been used forever it seems and it is a very powerful healing plant. There are many ways in which Elder helps to cleanse and revitalize the body and all of its qualities are probably not fully understood even today. The great herbalist, Henry Box of Plymouth, England says, “…for colds, influenza, fevers, inflammation of the brain, pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs,) stomach, bowels or any part, this is a certain cure. I have never known it to fail, even when given up to and at the point of death. It will not only save at the eleventh hour, but at the last minute of that hour. It is so harmless that you cannot use it amiss, and so effectual that you cannot give it in vain.” (Dr. Edward E. Shook, Advanced Treatise in Herbology, 1978.)
Elder was called the medicine chest of the country people. John Evelyn writing in 1664 said “If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark, and berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our country men would ail for which he might not fetch a remedy from every hedge either for sickness or wounds.”
One of the qualities of Elder is as an astringent, which tightens, tones, and stops secretions in body tissue. Flower infusions can be used as a gargle for sore throats, mouthwash for mouth ulcers and inflamed gums, and an eye wash for conjunctivitis, twitching eyelids, and tired, sore eyes. Elder flower tea taken internally reduces inflammation of rheumatism, gout, and arthritis especially when made worse by damp, cold weather. The American Indians used bark for swellings, inflammations, and also to ease parturition. When the root or bark is used it should be dried and kept for several months before use, otherwise it is to griping and strong.
To obtain the laxative quality of the berries they can be stewed and eaten, or for a more delightful treat, combine them with stewed blackberries and apples.
Elder is stimulant which increases activity or efficiency of a body system or organ. Stimulants act fairly quickly. Elder also has a diaphoretic quality, which induces perspiration. Flowers are used for the onset of upper respiratory infection, colds, tonsillitis, sinusitis,laryngitis, flu, aching, and chills. They stimulate circulation. This causes sweating which cleanses the body through the pores of the skin therefore healing the fever and infection. The berries are sometimes made into a conserve for sore throats. Flowers can be used in the beginning of eruptive diseases like measles and chickenpox as the sweating brings out the rash quickly so healing can begin. A few of the other things blooms and berries are good for is scrofula, palsy, syphilis, cholera, sciatica, and epilepsy. It is an excellent remedy for children’s disease such as liver derangement and erysipelas.
Elder has diuretic qualities and diuretics increase urine flow by building perm[e]ability of kidney cells or by increasing the blood flow. The flowers help the kidney action by relieving fluid retention, getting rid of toxins, and clearing heat from the body by way of the urinary system.
The relaxant qualities of the flower is helpful to relieve bronchio spasms and catarrh, at the same time, for the asthma sufferer. They remove phlegm when one is suffering from sinusitis and hayfever problems. Sleep can be brought on with use of the flower and leaves. Elder flowers are the mildest and safest part of the plant, even mild enough for small children. A person can administer Elder flower tea at night to help induce peaceful slumber when little ones are restless or irritable just before they become ill. Elder flowers have a long history of use as a relaxant to soothe nerves, allay anxiety, and lift depression. The fresh leaves when picked and warmed can be laid on the temples for relief of nervous headaches. When in the wilderness, if you experience headache and sick stomach from over exertion in the hot sun take a handful of Elder blooms, minus the green part, and put in a cup of hot water. Steep for 30 minutes and drink slowly as you relax in a cool, shady place. It will make you feel better and give you more energy.
Elder is also an alterative which is an herb that slowly changes an unhealthy condition of an organ to a healthy, gradually bringing on a good condition to the whole body. The flowers make an excellent spring tonic and blood purifier. Take every morning before breakfast for a few weeks and you will feel like spring itself, more energetic and full of life.
There are a couple of other ways in which Elder is used medicinally. One of these ways is the use of homeopathic remedies, which I personally, am not fond of after studying about the way they are made and the ingredients in some of them.
Flower essence remedies are another way to help heal emotional problems. Elder flower is very strong as it stimulates energy, vigor, resilience, joy, and our powers of recovery and renewal of energy. I think herbal remedies for the physical aspect of healing are the best healers but flower essence remedies are very useful along with the herbals, to help with the emotional aspect of the illness.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS OF ELDER
There are a few contra-indications of Elder, which means there are some parts that have to be used with care. The stems, roots, leaves, and unripe berries of Elder can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and general stomach upset. Some people can experience even worse discomforts and serious problems, even poisoning may result when the fresh plant is used. Elder berries, bark and leaves contain hydrocyanic acid. This is a compound that may lead to mild cyanide poisoning if consumed in to large of quantities. The leaves and bark contain the highest concentrations. The ripe berries need to be cooked completely and the seeds strained out. This alleviates the problem.
Elder is not recommended for people with known food allergies because these people would be more likely to be allergic to it then people with no food allergies. The leaves can sometimes cause a reaction to sensitive skin.
The red species of Elder are more toxic than the blue species and this is why only the blooms and cooked, strained berry pulp is used.
The Elder trees and bushes in the United States have more hydrocyanic acid and sambucine, the nauseating alkaloid found in the bark and roots as well as the fresh plant, then the Elder species in Europe.
Dr. Kenneth Lampe author of the AMA handbook of poisonous, injurious plants says, ” The danger comes mainly from the roots, stems and leaves (children got sick from playing with Elder whistles or blowguns,) ripe cooked berries are harmless as anyone who lives Elder berry jelly and pie knows. The flowers are probably nontoxic and that limited amounts of raw fruit are generally considered to have no adverse effect.”
When the plant parts are dried correctly and the berries are thoroughly cooked and strained there is usually not a problem-using Elder as the old herbalists knew, but use it with knowledge and awareness, paying attention to the reaction of the person whom is taking it. Watch the amount given until you see there is not going to be a reaction of and kind. Everyone is very different so Elder could [a]ffect some people in ways that it may not [a]ffect others.
KNOWN HERBAL FORMULAS OF ELDER
Elder is used in a variety of different herbal formulas that are very effective for many forms of illnesses. Here are a few recipes that were used a long time ago and I’m sure some of them are still used today.
Infusion of Elder Flowers
2 ounces of dried Elder flowers
2 ounces of Peppermint
11/2 pints of distilled water
Let the Peppermint cold infuse all night in 1/2 of the distilled water. Boil the other 1/2 of the water and pour over the Elder flowers letting this steep for 15 to 20 minutes. When cool add the two liquids together. Strain and sweeten with honey. Drink all the liquid as hot as possible while closely wrapped up in bed. Wrap the feet in a cloth that has been dipped in vinegar and place a hot water bottle at the feet. In a few minutes a profuse sweat will begin, the pulse will slow and the person will sleep peacefully for hours.
A formula where there is pus either internally or externally
4 ounces of Elder flowers
4 ounces of cut Echinacea root
1 quart of distilled water
Low simmer the herbs in the quart of water for 5 minutes and let steep for another 30 minutes. Keep covered, when cool strain and bottle, store in a cool, dark place. When this formula needs to be preserved for a longer length of time add 25% vegetable glycerine.
A formula to have on hand in case of flu
2 parts Boneset herb
1 part Elder flower
1 Part Peppermint leaves
For each ounce of the herbal combination use 1 pint distilled water. Let the Peppermint steep in part of the cold water overnight. Boil the rest of the water and pour over the Boneset and Elder flowers and steep for 15 to 20 minutes. When cool add the two liquids together. Drink a cup as hot as can be taken every two hours, and if the tea is found to be to bitter, especially for small children, it can be sweetened with Licorice root.
Elder Syrup Salve
Crush then boil down one cup of berries. Strain and boil again until rich syrup is produced. Tallow is added to this until a pudding like consistency is reached. This syrup salve can be used on chafing skin and put on all burns, especially sunburns.
Diarrhea
For this remedy add 1/2 cup of dried berries to 2 cups of water and low simmer for 10 minutes. Drink 1/2 cup of the cold tea, twice a day, and this will alleviate the diarrhea.
Cold Flu Brew
2 1/4 teaspoons Elder blooms
2 1/4 teaspoons Yarrow flowers and leaves
1 3/4 teaspoons Peppermint
1/4 teaspoon Stevia (your choice)
2 1/4 teaspoon Echinacea leaf
3 cups of distilled water
Place all herbs except Peppermint in water, cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Take off heat then add Peppermint. Steep this for an additional 10 minutes. Strain off herb and throw away. Drink up to 3 cups daily as needed, keep tea in refrigerator. This blend is comforting and healing during the misery of colds and flu. It helps remove toxins and heat from the body. It fights viral infection and acts as a decongestant.
Elder Berry Poultice
Use Elder leaves bruised of steamed just enough to wilt them and add a little bit of olive oil. This is a really good poultice for piles, hemorrhoids, and inflammation. For pain use as hot as can stand for an hour or more.
Skin Wash
Take one cup dried Elder leaves and low simmer in two cups of water for 10 minutes. This makes a good skin wash for any skin problem, bee stings, sunburn, acne, scrapes, etc. A paste can be made by mixing tallow with the tea to make a drawing salve for boils, splinters, and such.
All Purpose Oil
Use equal parts dried Calendula, Chamomile, and Elder flowers and 1/2 part Rose and/or Lavender. Mix and cover with olive oil. Let sit for three days then strain. Put the oil in minor skin irritations, burns, blemishes, and rub on chest and back for flu, colds, and lung congestion.
Sore Muscle Rub
To help sore aching muscles combine equal parts of Chamomile, Carnation, Elder flowers, Gardenia, Lavender, Mint, Mugwort, Mullein flower, Rose, Rosemary, and St. John’s Wort. Cover with olive oil and let sit in sunny place for three days and strain. Rub oil into sore muscles.
Elder Flower and Sage Gargle
1 tablespoon dried Elder leaves
1 tablespoon crushed Sage leaves
2 cups distilled water
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Put the herbs in a warm teapot and pour the 2 cups of boiling distilled water over them. Cover and steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain the infusion into a sterile jar and cool to lukewarm. Pour about 4 ounces into a glass and use unsweetened as a gargle and mouthwash, if you want, it can be sweetened with honey. Do this every two hours until discomfort has passed. Store the left over liquid, if any, covered in the refrigerator no longer then six days. This gargle is used to ease soreness in the mouth and throat, it also relieves annoying tickles. Elder flowers are astringent and Sage (Salvia officials) and our native Big Sage (Artemisia tridentata) are aromatic and hav been used for a long time to treat sore throats, inflamed gums, and colds.
A salad of young Elder buds, macerated in a little hot water and dressed with oil, vinegar, and salt has been used as a remedy against skin eruptions.
Elder Vinegar
Elder Vinegar made from the flowers is an old remedy for sore throats.
Elder Gruel
Elder flowers were boiled in gruel as a fever- drink long ago.
For pulmonary system congestion especially if prone to consumption use Horehound, Ground Marshmallow and Elder flowers. This can be successfully combined with Coltsfoot. Coltsfoot should make of 1/2 of the formula.
“The Duke of Monmouth’s Recipe”
This old recipe included Haws and Fennel root distilled in white wine and taken with syrup of Elder berry rob.
Syrup of Elder Berries
Pick the berries when all the way ripe, from the stalks, and stew them in a little water in a jar or pan. After straining allow 1/2 ounce of whole Ginger and 18 Cloves to each gallon. Boil the ingredients an hour, strain again, and bottle. The syrup is an excellent cure for a cold. To about a wine glassful of Elder berry syrup, add hot water and if like, sugar
Elder Berry Rob
“Five pounds of fresh, ripe, crushed berries. Crushed berries are simmered with one pound of loaf sugar and the juice evaporated down to the thickness of honey. It is a cordial aperient and diuretic. One or two tablespoons mixed with a tumbler full of hot water, taken at night, promotes perspiration and is demulcent to the chest. The rob [a vegetable juice thickened by heat] when made can be bottled and stored for the winter.”
Lotion
“Add 2 1/2 drachms of dried Elder flower to 1 quart of boiling water. Infuse for an hour then strain. This liquid can be applied as a lotion with a linen rag for tumors, boils, and afflictions of the skin and it is said to be effective on the temples against headaches and also to ward off attacks of flies.”
The last three remedies in this paper are really old so I wrote them in their original wording. The next encapsulated, powdered formula is modern day, I looked at it in the herb store in town.
Elder Berries and Flowers
Elder berries and flowers, gelatin, silica. Take two capsules twice a day preferably with food. This product was made by “Natures Way.”
Elder berries and flowers have been used by themselves or in combination with other herbs since recorded history. They work and people have always known it. This last recipe is the one I use. My friend and mentor told me about it and it works really well.
Elder Berry Syrup
6 cups of Elder Berries
1/2 cup of raw honey
1/2 teaspoon powdered Ginger or 1 teaspoon of fresh grated Ginger
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 tablespoon lime Juice
2 cups of vodka
Barely cover the berries with distilled water and low simmer for 10 minutes. Pour them in the blender and blend for a few minutes, then strain through a cheese cloth to remove the seeds and skins. Low simmer the 6 cups of juice (adding distilled water if short the full 6 cups), the honey, Ginger, and Cinnamon for 35 minutes. Cool until warm and add lime juice and vodka. The vodka preserves it longer. Bottle and keep the syrup in the refrigerator.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH ELDER
I have harvested Elder flowers and berries before and the very first thing I try to do is offer tobacco to the plant and I thank the Creator for the gift that has been given. I never harvest all of the blooms or berries, I pick less than 1/2 and when I get the blooms off one tree I won’t go back to that tree for berries.
I have tinctured some of the berries because I wanted to have Elder medicine that I knew would keep for a long period of time. I have not used this tincture yet so I do not know from personal experience how well it works.
I tinctured some of the blooms also because I had read that when they are dried their shelf life is only about seven months and once again I wanted something that would keep. I wasn’t sure at the time if a dehydrator would dry them quickly enough but I think it will and I am going to try with the next harvest of blooms. I haven’t used this tincture either so I have no experience with it’s healing qualities.
I made Elder syrup following the last recipe in this paper and it works really well for colds and flu. I have given it to quite a few of my family members, big and little, and it has worked really well for them all. My grandson did get a little bit of diarreha but he is allergic to alcohol so that may have been the problem. The next time I make Elder berry syrup, I am going to use vegetable glycerine instead of vodka. The little ones would like it better and I would feel better about a product with no alcohol for children as I would not have to worry about alcohol allergies.
A couple of years ago after I made a batch of Elder berry syrup, I was having a problem with the blood vessels in my fingers breaking every time a barely bumped them. This can be a symptom that your body is low in flavonoids. I had not eaten much fruit at that time because of blood sugar and systematic yeast problems so I wondered if low flavonoids could be the problem I did some studying and found out dark berries are usually high in flavonoids so I started taking two to three tablespoons of the syrup every week. It seemed to really help. I now eat more fruit, since I learned how to eat it properly,.so I don’t need to take Elder berry syrup for that reason.
My niece is taking Elder berry and flower combination and it sees to be helping her get over Strep throat.
Elder is a wonderful, beautiful, healing plant and it will be used until the end of time.
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