Elderberry

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.

      Much folklore is associated with this European plant that is also known as "bourtree." Pre-Christian documents attributed protective, healing powers to the black elder (Sambucus nigra), and in England it was believed bad luck to cut its branches for fear of showing disrespect to the mother elder, who was thought to inhabit the tree.
      Elderberry wine is an old European tradition, but the elderberry, or elder, supplies much more than beverages: from the manufacture of musical pipes to the treatment of human ailments, the shrub has aided countless generations. Medicinally, elderberry has been used for common ailments. A syrup from the berry juice was once a remedy for coughs, and cold sufferers comforted themselves with hot toddies of mulled elderberry wine. A tea made from the flowers was taken as a mild laxative or diuretic and to promote sweating. Elder flower water, a mild astringent used as a skin lotion, is still sold in some old-fashioned pharmacies.
      The wood once served to make shoemakers' pegs, butchers' skewers, and needles for weaving nets, as well as musical instruments.

Plant Facts
      The elder is a member of the honeysuckle family and can grow to a height of 33 feet. The sweet smelling, small white flowers (June-July), sit in fat clusters; ripening berries turn blackish-purple (September) have an aromatic, tart taste. The stalk and branches contain a white, fluffy pulp. Leaves grow in opposite pairs and are pinnately compound. Leaflets are toothed and oval, usually 5-7 per leaf.
      The bark and roots produce a black dye, the leaves a green dye, and the berries a purple coloring.

Origin
      The elder is native to Europe, North Africa and western and central Asia. It thrives throughout lowland forests and along roads and fences and is very often found in farmhouse gardens. Man evidently recognized it as a useful plant even in prehistoric times - evidence of its cultivation is found at Stone Age village sites in Switzerland and Italy.

Parts Used
      The flowers and ripe berries are used medicinally. The flowers should be harvested as the plant begins to blossom.

Components
      The black elder flowers contain flavonoids, rutin, mucins and tannins and a large portion of organic acids and calcium. The berries contain fruit acids, vitamins B₁ and C and folic acid, as well as essential oils.

Indications
      Described as a "complete medicine chest," black elder induces perspiration. When you have a feverish cold, take it in the form of a hot drink. Elder also promotes expectoration, which makes it a good treatment for coughing and bronchitis. The pulp of the berry and the freshly pressed juice hava diuretic and laxative effect on the body. Avoid the red-berry species of elder, as it can irritate the digestive system and make you feel nauseous.
      A folk remedy for burns is a paste made of elder and milk. Boil freshly picked, chopped flowers in enough milk to make a thick paste. Allow to cool and apply to the affected part of the skin.

Types of Applications

Tea flowers
      Pour about 1 cup of boiling water over 2 heaping tsp. of dried elder flowers. Strain after 10 minutes. Drink 1-2 cups of freshly prepared tea several times daily. For best results, drink the tea as hot as you can tolerate it.

Tea from berries
      Add enough cold water to cover approximately 3 heaping tsp. of dried elderberries and allow to stand for several minutes. Then slowly bring the water-berry mixture to a simmer. Gently simmer for 10 min., and then strain and drink.

Juice, syrup
      Remove the stems from 4 lb. of ripe berries. Squeez the juice from the berries into a saucepan and add about 1 lb. of sugar. Boil for 5 min. Skim the foam from the surface, fill canning jars with the syrup and seal while hot. Prepared syrup is available from pharmacies and health-food stores if you don't want to make your own.
      To prevent or treat a cold, drink the heated juice or syrup dissolved in hot water.

Puree
      Boil about 1 lb. of ripe elderberries with 1 cup of water and 2 diced apples. Put through a sieve and sweeten to taste.

Magickal Uses

Folk Names: Alhuren, Battree, Boure Tree, Bour Tree, Eldrum, Ellhorn, Fau Holle, Hollunder, Hylder, Lady Ellhorn, Old Gal, Old Lady, Pipe Tree, Surea, Sweet Elder, Tree of Doom, Devil's Eye
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities: Holda, Venus
Powers: Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Prosperity, Sleep

Ritual Uses:

• The elder was used in burial rites in ancient British longbarrows. It is sacred to many Mother Goddess figures, due to its white flowers. Witches and spirits were thought to live within the elder; this was why it "bled" red sap when cut. Before felling an elder, the following formula was recited:
  'Lady Ellhorn, give me of thy wood,
  And I will give thee of mine,
  When I become a tree.'
  This is recited kneeling before the tree, prior to making the first cut, and allows the Witch or spirit within the tree time to vacate.

Magickal Uses:

• If worn, elder wards off attackers of every kind.
• Hung over doorways and windows, it keeps evil from the house.
• It also has the power to force an evil magician to release any spells or enchantments they may have cast against you.
• The berries, when carried, protect against evil and negativity.
• Grown in the garden, elder protects the household against the ravages of sorcery, and shields it from lightening.
• To bless a person, place, or thing, scatter the leaves and berries of the elder to the four winds in the name of the person or object to be blessed. Then scatter some more elder over the person or object itself, and it is done.
• To lose a fever, poke an elder twig into the ground while keeping completely silent.
• Toothaches may be alleviated by chewing on an elder twig, and then placing it into the wall and saying "Depart thou evil spirit!" Toothaches were once thought to be caused by evil spirits.
• To prevent rheumatism, tie a twig of elder into three or four knots and carry in the pocket.
• Warts can be cured by rubbing them with a green elder twig and then buryig it to rot in the mud.
• Grown near the home, the elder gives prosperity to the household, and the sticks placed about the house protect against robbers and snakes.
• Elder is used at weddings to bring good luck to the couple, and pregnant women kiss the tree for good fortune for the coming baby.
• Place elderberries beneath your pillow if you have difficulty sleeping. They'll allow you to slumber peacefully.
• Carry elder to preserve you against the temptation to commit adultery.
• Make flutes from the branches and call forth spirits with their music. Best done at midnight in a deserted place far from the haunts of humans.
• Many think it dangerous to burn elder wood, and some Gypsies strictly forbade its use as a firewood. However, magicians have used its wood in fashioning magick wands for centuries.

The following chart provides information on how Native Americans use the elderberry to heal themselves:

Sources:
      All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D