Healing with plants - the elder

Sambuccus nigra = Elder

“’The medicine chest of country people’.

‘Elder’ is derived from ’Ellar’ or ‘Kindler’. The hollow branches were used for kindling, with air being blown through the stem.
   The whole of the Elder (flowers, berries, bark and roots) has been used for centuries as the mainstay of many common traditional remedies. As such, it was highly valued and permission always asked of the tree before any part was taken.
   Elderflowers are still in common use as cordials and in natural preparations to alleviate the symptoms of feverish colds and flu as an effective expectorant, anti-catarrhal, diuretic and to promote sweating. Externally, elder is used to soothe inflammation and soreness, eg for chapped skin and chilblains. The bark was used as a strong purgative and to help with arthritic conditions.

Properties
Flowers/berries: bitter, drying, cool, slightly sweet.
Bark: hot, bitter, drying.
Constituents
Volatile oil, flavorous, tannins, vitamins A & C, alkaloid.

How to Use
Flowers
Infusion: Taken hot for feverish colds and flu, particularly involving congestion of the upper respiratory tract, and hay fever.
tincture: For colds and flu and to alleviate hay fever symptoms if taken in early Spring.
cream: For chapped skin, sores, chilblains, ulcers, burns, cuts and wounds. Can also be used as a lotion.
mouthwash/gargle: To help treat mouth ulcers, sore throats and tonsillitis.
Berries
syrup: To wards off colds and flu and as an expectorant. Can be used in combination with thyme and/or eucalyptus.
tincture: In combination with willow, as an anti-rheumatic.
Leaves
Fresh leaves placed over the temples can relieve headaches or, rubbed on the face, as an insect deterrent. (Caution: care for sensitive skins). Traditionally, they were used in ‘Green Elder Ointment’ for bruises, sprains, wounds and haemorrhoids.
Root & bark
As an ointment for eczema and psoriasis and in liquid form as a mouthwash. Also a powerful liver stimulant and to treat constipation and arthritic conditions.

CAUTION
• Do NOT use bark in pregnancy because of its strong purgative action.
• AVOID in any condition which would be made worse by dehydration.

The article also contains a recipe for elderflower cordial.

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