Origins and Uses of Elder

Scientific Name: 

Sambucus nigra

Parts Used: 

Berry and Flower

Origins and description:

This species is also known as Black elder or European Elder. It is native to the British Isles and Europe. It is also grown in Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and North America.

It is a perennial, deciduous shrub that can grow occasionally to a small tree. The maximum height it grows to is 10m and is found naturally in open areas and on the edges of woodland.

The flowers are creamy white, fragrant, small and found in clusters. These become clusters of black berries about 6 to 8mm in diameter. They droop from red stalks in clusters when fully ripe.

The origin of the word “elder’ is the word ‘aeld’ which is the Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘fire’. It comes from the fact that the young branches were used like straws to blow air into the fire. It was also known as the ‘pipe-tree’.

The scientific name Sambucus , from Sambucus nigra, has it’s origins in Greek Sambuca, which was a ancient musical instrument made from elder wood and used among the Romans.

Traditional and current uses:

Berries:

Native Americans believe they are cure alls, promoting longevity.

It has been used extensively by various cultures as far back as the Ancient Egyptians.

Prior to antibiotics, it was used extensively in many preparations. It is still one of the most used herbals for the treatment of colds, flu and Herpes virus infection.

Hippocrates, Galen, Theophrastus and Dioscorides all considered the Elder as one of the greatest healing plants.

In German traditional medicine, the Elderberry was used as for upper respiratory tract infection, for constipation, as a diaphoretic, to alleviate pain and to increase diuresis. It was consumed in a tea or juice several times per day.

The berries have been highly regarded in European folk medicine. They have a higher antioxidant capacity than vitamin C or vitamin E.

It can be used for the symptomatic relief of asthma, arthritis, constipation and colds and flu. It is taken just before bed hot, with sugar

In England, both the berries and the flowers have been used to make drinks, especially wine and a winter cordial as well as preserves.

In the 1700s port was doctored with elderberry. Maud Grieve (1899) noted that a sailor noted that the genuine, old, dark red port helped his rheumatic pain. This port contained elderberries. Port without it did not have the same effect. The dosage found to work was that of 30g elderberry juice to 10g of port wine.

Clinical trials have been shown to reduce flu symptoms, is antiviral, an antioxidant, insulin stimulating and immunomodulating.

The accepted actions of this herb is Immunomodulating, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, diuretic and antioxidant.

Flowers:

The actions for this part of the plant is diaphoretic, antispasmodic and anti-catarrhal. It is indicated for the use for the common cold, flu, acute and chronic sinusitis and hay fever and pleurisy, bronchitis, sore throat, and measles.

It can be taken as a tea or a liquid extract. The tea is made from 1 cup of boiling water poured over 2 teaspoons of dried flowers diffused for 10 minutes.

A traditional remedy for cold and flu utilizing elder flower, peppermint and yarrow has been used for centuries.

It has traditionally used topically for eye inflammation, burns, wounds and skin disorders.

It is important to not that the stems, leaves, bark and seeds are toxic.

Traditional recipes using this herb

From a old recipe for Elder Wine:

“To every quart of berries put 2 quarts of water; boil half an hour, run the liquor and break the fruit through a hair sieve; then to every quart of juice, put ¾ of a pound of Lisbon sugar, coarse, but not the very coarsest. Boil the whole a quarter of an hour with some Jamaica peppers, ginger and a few cloves. Pour it into a tub, and when of a proper warmth, into the barrel, with toast and yeast to work, which there is more difficulty to make it do than most other liquors. When it ceases to hiss, put a quart of brandy to eight gallons and stop up. Bottle in the spring, or at Christmas. The liquor must be in a warm place to make it work”