(Brigitte Mars) Elder The Amazing Healing Benefit (B-Ok - Xyz) PDF

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title: Elder : The Amazing Healing Benefits of Elder, the

Premier Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu Keats Good
Herb Guide
author: Mars, Brigitte.
publisher: NTC Contemporary
isbn10 | asin:
print isbn13: 9780879837921
ebook isbn13: 9780071401265
language: English
subject Elders (Plants)--Therapeutic use.
publication date: 1997
lcc: RS165.E47M37 1997eb
ddc: 615/.32392
subject: Elders (Plants)--Therapeutic use.
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Page i
Small Tree, Big Medicine
Used for centuries and steeped in legend, elder provides a host of amazing benefits as both medicine and food.
Today elder is rapidly gaining popularity as a premier herbal remedy for colds and flu with impressive scientific
research proving its effectiveness.
But there's much more to the elder story and Brigitte Mars tells us all we need to know about this beautiful
flowering shrubits blossoms, berries, leaves and bark and the health-giving syrups, teas, tinctures and lotions
that it offers. Besides clearing the system of excess mucus, elder is useful as a mild laxative, diuretic and anti-
inflammatory. Acting as a gentle detoxifier, elder can aid in healthful weight loss. It smoothes and heals the
skin and plays a health-enhancing role in almost every system of the body.
< previous page page_i next page >

cover next page >
title: Elder : The Amazing Healing Benefits of Elder, the

Premier Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu Keats Good
Herb Guide
author: Mars, Brigitte.
publisher: NTC Contemporary
isbn10 | asin:
print isbn13: 9780879837921
ebook isbn13: 9780071401265
language: English
subject Elders (Plants)--Therapeutic use.
publication date: 1997
lcc: RS165.E47M37 1997eb
ddc: 615/.32392
subject: Elders (Plants)--Therapeutic use.
cover next page >

< previous page page_ii next page >
Page ii
About the Author
Brigitte Mars, an herbalist and nutritional consultant in Boulder, Colorado, has been working with natural
medicines for over 27 years. The formulator of the popular "UniTea" line of herbal teas, she teaches herbalism
at Naropa Institute, The Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies and The Boulder School of Massage
Therapy. She frequently contributes articles to The Herb Companion, Natural Health, Let's Live, and other
magazines, and is a member of the American Herbalist Guild. This is her first book.
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Page iii
A Keats Good Herb Guide

Elder
The Amazing Healing Benefits of Elder, the Premier Herbal Remedy for Colds and Flu
Brigette Mars
Keats Publishing Inc. New Canaan, Connecticut
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Page iv
Elder is intended solely for informational and educational purposes, and not as medical advice. Please consult a
medical or health professional if you have questions about your health.
ELDER
Copyright © 1997 by Brigitte Mars
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Mars, Brigitte
Elder / by Brigitte Mars.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-87983-792-6
1. Elders (plants)Therapeutic use. I. Title.
RS165.E47M37 1997 97-936
615'.32392dc21 CIP
Printed in the United States of America
Keats Good Health Guides are published by
Keats Publishing, Inc.
27 Pine Street (Box 876)
New Canaan, Connecticut 06840-0876
98 97 96 65 4 3 2 1
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Page v
Contents
Elder: Small Tree, Big Medicine 1

Elder's Rich History 4
The Energetics of Elder 9
Parts of the Elder Tree 11
Elder: A Plant of Many Actions 18
Preparations and Dosages 23
Elderberry: an Antiviral Agent Par Excellence 27
Elderberry for Detocification 32
Modern Research on Elder Continues 36
Elder for Children 38
Elder in Oriental Medicine and Homeopathy 39
Elder as a Flower Essence and in Aromatherapy 41
The Nutrients in Elder 43
Elder and Other Herbs 50
Elder as an Alcoholic Beverage 52
Elder for Beauty Inside and Out 55
Other Uses of Elder 59
The Botany of Elder 63
Growing and Harvesting Elder 66
Lore about Elder 71
Cautions about Elder 78
Appendices 81
Index 86
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Page vi
Elder: Leaf, Berry and Blossom
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Page 1
Elder: Small Tree, Big Medicine

There is hardly a Disease from Head to Foot but it cures; for besides the Vertues I have already mentioned,
it is profitable for the Head-ach, for the Ravings and Wakings, Hypochondriak Mellancholy, the Falling-
sickness, the Apoplexy and Palsy, Catarrhes, Toothach, Deafnesse, want of smelling, Blemishes of the Face
and Head, Diseases of the Mouth and Throat, the Infirmities of the Lungs, Hoarseness, the Pleurisy and
Ptisick, Women's breasts being sore, Swooning and Faintness, in Feavours, the Plague, Pox, Measles,
Disease of the Stomack, the Wormes and other diseases of the Gutts, the Hemmorrhoids, the Stone, Diseases
of the Matrix etc; and, as if such all-pervading power over illness was not enough, it is said that if a branch
be put into the trench, where a Mole is, it will either drive him forth, or kill him there. Has there ever been a
more wondrous tree?
William Coles,1656
There is hardly a tree on earth that offers as much as the elder. Used for centuries and steeped in legend, elder
provides a host of amazing benefits as both medicine and food. Adorned with beautiful white blossoms and
juicy blue-black berries, the elder tree is a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Elderberries have long been valued for their cleansing ability, enhancing the functions of the skin, kidneys,
bowels and respiratory systems. Today elder

Page 2
is rapidly gaining popularity as a premier herbal remedy for colds and flu with impressive scientific research
proving its effectiveness. Next time you feel a cold or flu coming on, you would do well to consider elder an
ally.
The Name Behind the Tree

There are dozens of elder species, but in these pages we will focus on Sambucus nigra, the variety most often
used in Europe, where it is a very popular herbal medicine, and Sambucus canadensis, the favored American
species. The two species can be used interchangeably.
Every part of the elder has a purpose. For several centuries, elder has been referred to as the "medicine of the
country people." This honorable name was given to elder by Ettmueller, an 18th century scientist.
The name elder comes from the Anglo-Saxon word aeld, meaning "fire"; the young hollow stems of this shrub
were once used to blow air into a fire to get it burning. There is an Old Norse word, elda, and a Middle English
verb, elderr, both meaning "to light a fire." The Latin name is Sambucus (pronounced Sam-bew-kus), derived
from the Greek sackbut, an ancient musical instrument for which the wood of elder was used. Elder has also
been called pan pipes or "the tree of music" as the pith would be pushed out of the young hollow stems to make
a shrill musical sound. The word nigra refers to the luscious black berries and canadensis refers to its place of
origin because it comes from Canada.

Page 3
Other names in the English language for elder include: blood elder, hour tree, danewort, eldrum, ellanwood,
ellhorn, fever tree, hylantree (14th century), hylder, Viking elder and walewort.

Page 4
Elder's Rich History

Elder has a long history of cultivation. Seeds found in Stone and Bronze Age diggings show a long history of
human use. It has been found growing amongst Neolithic graves as well as in prehistoric village sites in Italy
and Switzerland. Elder was used by the ancient Egyptians, Celtic tribes and early Greeks as a medicine. The
druids considered elder a sacred tree, symbolic of birth and death. Beginnings and endings have always been
associated with elder.
In Israel, elder is found growing in sacred sites steeped in religious tradition such as around the synagogue in
Safed and in the monastery and archdiocesan yards of the old cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Hippocrates mentioned elder as a purgative around 400 B.C. Pliny (circa 2379 A.D.) recorded the use of elder
by the Romans. Pedanius Dioscorides, a first-century army surgeon who traveled throughout the Roman
Empire, also wrote about the medical value of elder. Elder was widely used in the early Italian medical schools.
The great English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper (16161654) extolled elder by saying, ''The juice of the leaves
snuffed up into the nostrils purge the tunicles of the brain." In 1644, a book written by Dr. Martin Blockwich
called Anatomie of the Elder was

Page 5
published in England. It was translated from Latin by an army doctor named C. de Iryngio. There was enough
enthusiasm about elder gained from both medical and folkloric literature to fill 230 pages! In the book, Dr.
Blockwich says, "What the more sober and learned Chymists have attributed to their manifold Medicinal
Mercury, Antimony, Vitrol, we may admit, admire and acknowledge in our Elder."
Also in the 17th century John Evelyn wrote in his Herbal, "If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark and
berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our countryman could all for which he might not fetch a remedy
from every hedge, either for sickness or wounds." Evelyn also claimed that elder would help assist longevity
and was effective "against all infirmities, whatever."
In 1656 a book called The Art of Simpling by William Coles claimed, "The common people formerly gathered
the leaves of Elder on the last day of April, which to disappoint the charmes of witches, they had affixed to
their doores and windowes. I doe not desire any to pin their faithes upon these reports, but only let them know
there are such which they may believe as they please." It is said that for this reason, elder was planted outside
Westminster Abbey.
Hot elderberry wine was sold on London street corners until the end of the 19th century to warm and cheer the
passersby. It was dispensed from beautiful copper and brass urns erected on pedestals. A charcoal fire kept the
wine warm.
Elder flower ointment (Ungentum sambuci) was commonly used topically to treat human conditions such as
hemorrhoids, chilblains (a milder version of frostbite) as well as treating horses wounded in battle. During
World War I, Ungentum sambuci was

Page 6
used by the English organization, the Blue Cross, to treat both humans and horses. At The London College of
Surgeons, green elderberry ointment was mixed with camphor and lard and used as a topical application for
hemorrhoids. Whenever the great Dutch physician Hermann Boerhaave (16681738) passed by an elder tree, he
lifted his hat in its honor.
Early America also had a rich connection to the elder tree. Sambucus canadensis was the elder tree most often
used by Native Americans. Algonguin Indians applied scrapings of elder bark to sores and swellings. They
drank a tea of the leaves and stems to treat jaundice. The Chickasaw Indians soaked the branches mixed with
cedar in water and made a compress for headaches. The Delaware people used elderberries for problems of the
blood and liver. The Houmas boiled the bark and made a topical application for inflammation and pain. They
also made a tonic wine from the fermented berries. The Iroquois boiled the inner bark to make a tea to relieve
pain, treat measles and to improve kidney function. A poultice of the bark was also applied to prevent infection,
speed the healing of wounds and treat headaches. If it was believed that vomiting might improve a patient's
condition elder bark would be given in a larger quantity.
The Iroquois used a decoction of elder pith as an internal remedy for gonorrhea and also to treat heart disease.
They used a poultice of the berries to reduce fever and swellings caused by the mumps. The twigs were
administered to children when a laxative was needed. The Iroquois also applied the powdered root and bark to
heal a newborn's navel. Berries were fed to those convalescing to improve their strength.
Creek women applied an elder root poultice to

Page 7
swollen breasts. Cherokees made elder leaves and flowers into a salve to treat burns, skin eruptions and boils in
order to help prevent infection. Menominee and Cherokee peoples used the flowers to reduce fevers.
Meskwakis used the root bark tea to expel phlegm, bring on labor and relieve headaches. They also used the
inner bark of the young shoots as an insect repellent and the flowers to relieve fever. Seminoles used the root
bark as a purifying emetic after funerals. The Algonquin, Mohegans and Delaware peoples used the flowers to
treat infant colic. Mohegans used the bark as a laxative. Pima Indians found the flowers helpful to induce
sweating and thus lower fevers. Thompson Indians used the fresh bark topically for toothaches. There are
records of elder bark and root being used as a cathartic or emetic by the Algonquin, Carrier, Cherokee,
Chippewa, Gitskan, Iroquois and Ojibwa peoples. The Cherokees also used elderberry juice to treat
rheumatism. Chickasaw Indians prepared an infusion of the branches and applied cloths soaked in the tea to
ease severe headaches. Paiute and Shoshone tribes used the flowers for colds, fevers and coughs. Choctaw
Indians found that the seeds and roots eased liver complaints.
Many tribes used the berries as a food supply and included it in their pemmican, a mixture of nuts, meat and
dried fruit which served as a suitable food when travelling and hunting. The Iroquois cooked elderberries and
served them with corn bread. They would sun-dry the berries and store them for winter food supplies. The
Meskwaki prepared the berries as a conserve. The wood of the tree was useful in bow making. Straigth stems
would be selected and dried, and from this arrows were made. The Iroquois would soak their

Page 8
corn seeds in an infusion of elder flowers and other herbs before planting to improve germination.
American pioneers used the root and bark as a tea for edema and the leaves as a headache poultice.
Elderberries were listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1831 and the flowers from 1831 to
1905. Elder is still an official herb in the British Pharmacopoeia. Elder is grown on most German properties and
the German Office of Health recommends elder flower tea for the treatment of colds with fever.
Father Kniepp, the Bavarian nature leader who was born in 1821, recommended elderberry jam "for winter use
by those who take little exercise, and are condemned to a tranquil, sedentary life."

Page 9
The Energetics of Elder

In natural medicine, people and plants are viewed as connected to each other as well as to the environment.
Elder flowers are considered neutral, bitter, drying and cooling. They are also slightly sweet. This is part of
what empowers elder to cool a fever, heal infection and help dry mucus secretions. Thus elder is suitable for
damp conditions such as excess mucus and fluid congestion. Thorton's 19-century Family Herbal declared that
elder helps to "promote all the fluid secretions."
The Doctrine of Signatures believes the way plants look and grow give hints as to how they may affect the
body. For example, kidney-shaped beans really are good for the kidneys and beet juice (which is red) truly does
benefit the blood. As for elder, the branches of the young plant are hollow tubes that correspond to the tubes in
the body such as the blood vessels and the pores of the skin. Thus, according to The Doctrine of Signatures,
elder helps to open and affect the tubes of the body in a positive way. 1 The tubes of our respiratory system are
opened by the use of elder. Elder is helpful for people who wake up in the night unable to breathe, perhaps even
turning blue in the face. Elder also affects the tubes of our nervous system, calming anxiety. The tubes of

Page 10
the kidneys are also affected in a positive way, and diuresis is increased. By cleansing the kidneys, conditions
such as swelling of the ankles and legs can be lessened.
Elder flowers have a special affinity for the blood, lungs, liver, kidneys, bladder, bowels and skin. The bitter
bark of elder has an effect upon the stomach and colon.

Page 11
Parts of the Elder Tree
Flowers
One of the safest and most commonly used parts of the elder are the cream-colored blossoms. They are
expectorant, mildly laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic. They have traditionally been used as part of a spring
blood-purifying formula. Throughout history, elder flowers have been administered as a tea for treatment of
lung infections, measles and scarlet fever.
The elder flower is rather musk-scented. Some feel that its perfume is somewhat psychoactive. and this may be
the reason why so much lore and legend surround it. Elder blossoms are often used in herbal salves for tropical
application to the skin. Other common herbs included in such salves are comfrey leaves (Symphytum
officinale), calendula (Calendula officinalis) blossoms and plantain (Plantago major) leaves.
Elder blossoms are frequently made into a tea, sometimes with eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) and used as an
eyewash for conjunctivitis. Elder flowers are mixed with rosewater and applied to the eyes to improve vision.
Elder flower tea is a popular "spring tonic," taken first thing in the morning for several weeks. Elder flowers
have also been used as a traditional herb in smoking blends.
Nursing mothers have long loved the soothing ben-

Page 12
efits of elder blossoms when applied to sore nipples. Simply cover the dried blossoms with olive oil and gently
heat for 20 minutes. Strain, cool and apply as needed. Gently towel off before giving the baby the breast.
Leaves
Elder leaves are primarily used for topical applications as an emollient and vulnerary. They were traditionally
mixed with tallow and made into an ointment for hemorrhoids, burns, bruises, sprains, chilblains, wounds,
hives, eczema, tumors and gout. Elder leaf salve is reported to be as effective as cortisone creams. Elder is most
beneficial in moving the stagnation associated with black-and-blue marks. Soaking cuts in a tea of elder leaves
before applying the salve is another common first aid application.
If your eyes feel heavy, steep a handful of elder leaves in two quarts of water. Lie down and place a cloth
soaked in the tea over your closed eyes.
Elder leaves can be used in foot baths to soothe tired swollen feet. They also can be warmed and applied to a
headache brought on by stress.
Elder leaves contain the alkaloid sambucine, a precursor of hydrocyanic acid, which is somewhat toxic. Thus,
the leaves are used only topically in ointments for sprains or bruises. Bruised leaves can be rubbed on the body
or worn under a hat to prevent being pestered by insects. Cooled strained leaf tea can be applied to plants to
discourage aphids.
Internally, elder leaves are used only with caution to cleanse the bowels, to promote sweating and to increase
urination.

Page 13
Berries
The culinary, nutritional and medicinal properties of elderberries are legion. They lack the usual tartness of
other berries such as strawberries. Drying them improves the flavor. Dry them carefully to prevent mold from
growing. Dr. Bernard Jensen recommends elderberry tea as a remedy for ovarian and menstrual problems.
When made into a syrup elderberries help to coat and protect the throat. Elderberry jam is reported to cleanse
the kidneys.
Use elderberry tincture for the treatment of rheumatism. The high potassium content of elderberries makes them
a prime food or supplement for those suffering from angina or high blood pressure. Use elderberries to build
the blood and treat anemia.
Elderberries are used medicinally for catarrh, sore throats, fever and asthma. When cooked with a sweetener
into a thick syrup known as a rob they offer the same health benefits. Elderberries are excellent in pies,
cobblers, jam, chutney, muffins and puddings. Elderberries are rich in vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and beta-
carotene. The berries may be dried and used in winter. Avoid green, unripe berries. The berries should be
cooked before eating, remove the seeds when making jam or wine. Elderberry jam is sometimes served as a
alternative to cranberry sauce, accompanying turkey or game.
Only the blue elderberries are edibleSambucus canadensis and S. carulea (found in North America) as well as
the European variety S. nigra. The red elder Sambucus pubens has toxic red berries and flowers that are conical
rather than flat-topped clusters. "Blue is true and red is dead," is a popular expression among herbal harvesters.

Page 14
Elderberries, which ripen in September and October, are relished by many varieties of birds. As an herb used
by people, they are somewhat laxative and diuretic. They have been used for centuries in the treatment of
rheumatism, neuralgia, facial tics and epilepsy.
Recently, elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is being used as a natural food coloring. It may be used in both
food and beverages to give an appealing color without the side effects of chemical colorants. Its color is more
stable under conditions of heat and light than the S. nigra variety.
Bark
The pharmaceutical name for elder bark is Cortex sambuci. It is toxic in large amounts or if used for an
extended period of time. It is best aged for a year before using internally, much like the herb, Cascara sagrada.
European bark is considered safer than that collected in America. Sambucus canadensis is too high in
hydrocyanic acid and sambucine for internal use. Elder bark is greenish-gray and warty looking when it is
young. As it gets older it becomes black and cracked. It has been used as a purgative and emetic since the days
of Hippocrates. It contains volatile oils, albumen, resin, fat, wax, chlorophyll, tannic acid, viburnic acid, grape
sugar, starch and pectin. It is considered pungent, dry and warming. Elder bark is rarely used internally these
days because of its potential toxicity.
The flavor of elder bark is sweet at first and then becomes nauseatingly bitter. As a medicine, elder bark
primarily affects the liver, kidneys, stomach and

Page 15
intestines. Small doses are gently purgative while larger amounts can cause vomiting. It has been employed in
the treatment of arthritis and epilepsy. The yellow color of the inner bark is probably what gave herbalists of
the past the idea to use elder for the treatment of jaundice. For acute constipation and fluid retention, elder bark
has been employed for centuries.
The bark is collected in autumn from young trees, dried in moderate sun heat and taken inside at night to
prevent moisture forming on it. When it dries it becomes soft and corky on the outside and smooth white on the
inside.
Elder bark is contraindicated during pregnancy and for people with a yin-deficient condition (lacking moisture).
For others it should only be used with great caution.
Wood
Elder has a hard white wood that is resilient yet easy to hollow out. Carpenters have long employed it, enjoying
its close grains and the fact that it polishes easily. The wood has a pleasant musky smell. The wood has also
been used for fishing rod parts, fishing floats, needles for net weaving, shoemaker's pegs, combs, bows,
skewers and small toys.
The hollowed-out twigs have been used as flutes, shepherd's pipes, taps for maple trees in syruping, blow guns
and elk calls. Elder twigs are very flexible and thus used to make baskets.
Native Americans had several innovative uses for the wood. The Shasta Indians used it to make, a special knife
to out the umbilical cord of a newborn.

Page 16
The Yorock Indians used a stick of elder to measure graves. The Snake Indians used the hollowed stems to
store crickets as winter food supplies.
The pith was used by Native Americans as a moxibustion sort of treatment, where the herb is burned to cause
heat on a particular part of the body. Modern-day biologists still use elder pith to hold scientific specimens as it
can easily be sliced. The pith has also been used for electrical experiments and in toy making. The hollowed
elder stalk has also been used as a smoking tube, especially for the inhalation of specific herbal medicines in
both early America and Europe.
Elder wood is sometimes used to make garden fences as it is more durable in the ground than iron bars.
In Europe it was common for people to make toothpicks out of elder wood to prevent a toothache. It is possible
that such medicinal toothpicks improved blood circulation.
Elder wood doesn't burn well fortunately, a boon for protecting the species; the more elder growing, the better.
Elder Fungus
There is a fungus that occasionally grows on the bark of elder trees in damp, shady areas, known as Judas ear.
Its botanical name is Hirneola auricula-judae. It is soft, purplish in color, resembles the shape of an ear, is
somewhat rubbery and can be gelatinous when fresh. It is eaten as a vegetable in China. In Chinese medicine it
is known as mu erh or yun-erh. The herbalist Gerard regarded it as having a binding and dry-

Page 17
ing effect. It is usually available dried, but billows up when soaked in water. Elder fungus has been used to
treat dropsy and has been employed in Europe as a remedy for sore throats and mouth and uvular
inflammations. It has also been found to reduce blood levels of cholesterol. It is used in Chinese medicine for
urinary tract problems, traumatic injuries and bleeding hemorrhoids.

Page 18
Elder: A Plant of Many Actions

Elder has an amazing range of healing properties. It would be difficult to think of any other herb that can serve
so many functions and help the body find the balance of health in so many ways. A list of its actions follow:
Alterative. Alteratives increase blood flow to the tissues, improving metabolism and detoxification. Elder's
alterative action helps to improve many skin afflictions including boils, eczema, acne and erysipelas. Elder
improves the secretions involved with many bodily functions. Parts used: flowers, berries, young shoots.
Anticatarrhal. The mucus-reducing activity of elder may be due to its high potassium content, but in any case
this plant helps to clear up bronchial mucus, hay fever and sinus congestion. Both flowers and berries help to
dry up a runny nose. When the flowers are taken before hay fever season they help to lessen its severity. A
gargle made of elder blossoms steeped in vinegar can be used to treat sore throats and tonsillitis. Elder has even
successfully treated catarrhal deafness and children's croup. A tea made of elder flowers can ease hoarseness
and make the voice clear. Parts used: flowers, berries.

Page 19
Anti-inflammatory. Elder flowers help soothe an inflamed respiratory tract irritated by hay fever and sinusitis.
Elder has even been used to calm the agony of gout. Cool, strained elder flower tea makes an excellent
application to inflamed eyes. Elderberries taken internally as a tea, tincture or syrup help to soothe irritated
bowels or colitis. Topical applications are also helpful for glandular swellings. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Antirheumatic. Elder flower and vinegar fomentations can be used topically for painful joints, muscle soreness
and stiffness. Elderberry juice is an ancient remedy to help neuralgia, rheumatism, gout and sciatica. Parts
used: flowers, berries, leaves.
Antiseptic. A wonderful agent for colds, elder helps to fight infection. Elder leaves have also been used
topically to treat dog bites. Historically, elder was used to treat syphilis. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Antispasmodic. Easing muscle cramps as well as psychological stress, elder tea has been used for headache,
eyelid twitching, palsy, epilepsy, stroke, paralysis and the spasms that accompany asthma. Affected body parts
can also be rubbed with elder flower infusions. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Antiviral. Elderberry, an age-old remedy for colds and flu, helps the body fight infection. See page 27 to learn
more about recent research. Part used: berries.
Aperient. Mildly laxative, elder has long been used in teas and cordials to aid the digestive process. Parts used:
flowers, berries.
Astringent. By tightening and toning tissues, elder helps dry excessive secretions such as phlegm. Part used:
flowers.
Calmative. A small glass of mildly sedating elder-

Page 20
berry juice or brandy is sometimes taken at night before bed to aid sleep. Elder can also be used to ease
migraine headaches. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Carminative: Elder helps to decrease gas and improve digestion. Part used: flowers.
Cathartic. Elder has a history of being used as a remedy for acute constipation. Parts used: leaves, inner bark.
Decongestant. Elder helps to move phlegm and clear sinus congestion, inner ear infection, hay fever and
bronchial congestion. Part used: flowers.
Diaphoretic. Because it promotes perspiration by relaxing the pores, elder is a traditional remedy to help the
body release toxins through the skin. It increases blood circulation and body heat near the surface of the skin. It
has been used to treat blemishes, acne, herpes, psoriasis, measles and chicken pox. Parts used: flowers, berries,
leaves.
Digestive. Elder as an after dinner tea is considered a beneficial digestive aid. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Disutient. Elder has been used throughout history to dissolve tumors and abnormal growths. Parts used:
flowers, leaves.
Diuretic. Elder enhances kidney activity and helps to clear heat or infection through the urinary system. Parts
used: flowers, berries, inner bark, leaves.
Emetic. Elder can help relieve the body of toxins and allergic offenders by inducing vomiting. Part used: inner
bark.
Emollient. Used externally to soothe, soften and protect the skin, elder makes an excellent ointment for burns,
sores and hemorrhoids. Parts used: flowers, inner bark, leaves.
Expectorant. By promoting the discharge of mucus from the respiratory passages, elder can help relieve

Page 21
sore throats and coughs. Parts used: flowers, berries, leaves.
Febrifuge. Elder lowers fever by increasing perspiration so that heat leaves the body through the skin. This is a
safe, effective method that helps the body in its healing process. Elder has been used to treat measles and
malaria. The cooled tea can be used as a sponge bath to help cool a feverish person. Elder flowers soaked in
vinegar were used to sponge the swollen glands of unfortunate Bubonic plague victims. It was believed that if
elder tea were taken at the onset of the plague, it could curtail it. Part used: flowers, berries.
Galactagogue. Since it increases milk production elder tea is an ally for nursing mothers. Part used: flowers.
Hydragogue. Elder is able to discharge watery fluids through the intestines and help relieve edema. Part used:
inner bark.
Laxative. Flowers and berries have a milder bowel-stimulating effect than the roots and bark. Parts used:
flowers, berries, roots, inner bark.
Nervine. Enjoy elder as a tea before bed. It calms the spirit and emotional body. Historically, a decoction of
elder flowers was prepared and applied to the legs and arms to induce a deep sleep. Elder flower tea was also
given to those suffering from epilepsy. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Purgative. Elder increases bile secretions, which causes intestinal peristalsis. Use cautiously as elder leaves can
be a very intense way to clean the bowels. Fresh flowers are more purgative than dried ones. Parts used:
flowers, inner bark, leaves.
Rejuvenative. Elderberry wine and jam have long been given to the elderly to help them feel younger. Parts
used: flowers, berries.

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Relaxant. Elder helps to relax bronchial spasms as well as asthma. On an emotional level, elder soothes nerves,
calms anxiety and helps to lift one's spirits when feeling blue. Use elder to calm a sick, irritable person in need
of a good night's sleep. Elder is also helpful in cases of anxiety and shock. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Restorative. Rejuvenating to both body and mind, elderberries are a restorative tonic for building the blood
back up after childbirth. Elder flowers taken as a tea or snuffed up the nose may also help to restore the sense
of smell. Elder flower tea has also been used to restore a person who has fainted. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Stimulant. Elder is a gentle stimulant that helps to quicken various body actions by improving circulation. Part
used: flowers.
Tonics. Elder is considered a tonic for the respiratory system and digestive tract. It can help increase the
strength of a person in a weakened state. Parts used: flowers, berries.
Vulnerary. Elder is an effective remedy for relieving hemorrhoids when applied topically as a salve. Elder has
been used to treat erysipelas, an acute inflammation caused by strep bacteria that erupts on the skin. Elder has
also served humankind well in applications for burns, cuts and wounds. It can also be used as a sore throat
gargle or for inflamed gums and mouth tissue. Parts used: flowers, berries, leaves.

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Preparations and Dosages
Teas
To make elder tea using the flowers, bring one cup of fresh cold water to a boil. Turn off the heat and add a
heaping teaspoon of dried flowers (2 teaspoons if fresh). Cover and allow to steep for about 10 minutes. Then
strain into a cup. Honey or lemon can be used as a flavoring, if desired.
Elderberries can also be made into a tea. Simmer 1 teaspoon of dried or two teaspoons of fresh berries in I cup
of water, covered, for 2 or 3 minutes. Mash the berries to extract their juice. Allow to sit another 5 minutes.
Strain.
One cup of elder tea can be consumed three times daily on a regular basis. However, if one is dealing with an
acute condition such as the flu, up to a cup every hour that one is awake can be used for a few days at a time.
Try brewing a quart of tea by quadrupling the recipe, straining it into a clean glass jar and refrigerating it for a
cooling summer iced beverage.
There must be a good reason to use elder bark as a medicine because it is strongly purgative. It may be wise to
consult with an herbalist first. To make tea from the bark, simmer 2 oz. of bark in I quart fresh cold water.
Simmer until it is reduced by half. Strain. Take 2 to 4 oz. at a time.

Page 24
Throw the remaining herb material into your compost or onto your garden. It is always good to be conscious of
giving something back to the Earth.
Tinctures
A tincture is an extraction of the medicinal properties of a plant that preserves well and is easy to use. To make
a tincture from elder flowers or elderberries, fill a clean jar with elder flowers or mashed elder berries (fresh or
dried), cover the herbs with vodka or brandy, adding an extra inch of alcohol, cover and allow to sit for 2
weeks or even up to 1 month. Every day, give it a good shake. After 2 weeks to 1 month, strain the herbs
through a clean piece of muslin or several layers of cheesecloth. Bottle in 1 oz. amber dropper bottles. Label.
Store away from light and heat. Tinctures will keep several years. If one cannot use alcohol, apple cider vinegar
or vegetable glycerin may be used instead. The shelf life of the latter two, however, will be shorter. Use these
up within a year or two.
Tinctures are very concentrated. For most elder flower tinctures, an appropriate dose would be 20 to 40 drops in
a bit of water. This can be taken 3 times daily for a chronic condition. However, if it is an acute condition, once
every 1 or 2 hours that you are awake would be more appropriate. To determine dosage for a child, to treat a
fever, for example, take the weight of the child and divide by 150. Thus a 50-pound child would get 1/3 of the
adult dose. The tincture can be put in a bit of water or juice to dilute the taste of the alcohol.

Page 25
Compress
A compress is easily made by preparing elder tea from the flowers, soaking a clean cloth in the tea and applying
the cloth to the affected area. Compresses can be made from hot or chilled tea, depending on the person's needs.
For example, a headache may be relieved by an application of a cool elder flower compress.
Eyewash
Prepare elder flower tea. Strain well. Wait until the tea has cooled down to a comfortable temperature. Use an
eye cup from the pharmacy and rinse the eyes with the cooled tea several times. Elder flower eyewash soothes
sore or strained eyes.
Mouthwash
Prepare elder flower tea. For every cup of tea add 1 tsp. of salt and mix well. Gargle repeatedly.
Syrup
This is very delicious and beneficial for colds and flu.
Simmer 1 cup of fresh or 1/2 cup dried elderberries in 3 cups of spring water; add 1/8 tsp. powdered cloves, 1/4
tsp. powdered cinnamon and 1 inch of fresh chopped ginger root. Mash the berries with the water and spices
and simmer at a low boil for 1/2 hour. Strain. Return the liquid to the cooking pot and

Page 26
add 1 cup honey. Melt the honey into the liquid, bottle and refrigerate. It will keep for about three months.
Drink at night when feeling the sniffles coming on. Elder is considered an ideal remedy for the very young as
well as the elderly.
Dosages:
Children under one year old: 2 tsp. daily.
Children, ages one to six: 12 Tbsp. daily.
Children, ages six to twelve: 23 Tbsp. daily.
Ages twelve to adult: 24 Tbsp. daily.
When using an elder product you have purchased, consult the directions for proper dosage.

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Elderberry: an Antiviral Agent Par Excellence

Elderberry juice has been used for over 2,500 years in the treatment of colds, flu and coughs. After World War
I, 50 million people died from influenza. Even in modern times, almost 20,000 Americans a year die of
complications arising from the flu. Those at greatest risk are the very young, the elderly and those suffering
from other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma.
In the mid 1980s Dr. Jean Linderman, who discovered interferon, helped inspire a study that proved that
elderberry contained constituents useful in treating the flu virus. An Algerian-born and French-educated
virologist with a Turkish name, Madeleine Mumcuoglu, who worked with Dr. Linderman, helped implement
the study and patented a product containing the antiviral components of elderberry. When working on her
doctorate in virology, Dr. Mumcuoglu went to Switzerland where she looked for a research topic. Dr. Jean
Linderman, her supervisor, suggested elderberries. The fact that Dr. Linderman had 22 pounds of elderberries in
his freezer may have been a contributing factor! Dr. Mumcuoglu acted on his suggestion and completed her
thesis by the early 1980's. She then worked in the bone mar-

Page 28
row lab at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem's Hadas-sah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Ein Karem.
There her work focused on purifying infected bone marrow for transplantation and studying the immune
response of patients with leukemia.
In 1992, she resumed her research on elderberries and shortly thereafter developed and patented a method of
isolating some of the active compounds, which included proteins from the berries. Since elder-berries are
known to be nontoxic, Dr. Mumcuoglu was able to test her product on patients suffering from the flu during an
epidemic in a kibbutz in southern Israel, in 1992 and 1993. She conducted a double-blind study of 40 flu
patients. Some of the participants took four tablespoons of her elderberry formula daily and the rest took a
placebo. Serum samples were taken from those on the kibbutz at the beginning of the outbreak, then two weeks
later. After 24 hours had passed, 20 percent of the patients taking the elderberry formula experienced positive
results such as relief from fever, muscle pain and coughing. By the next day, 73 percent had improved and by
the third day 90 percent showed relief. None of them reported any negative side effects. 2 In the group that was
treated with the placebo, only 16 percent were improved by the second day and the majority of them took as
long as a week to feel better.
Tests were also conducted to see if influenza antibodies were present. Those receiving the elderberry formula
had greater numbers of antibodies than those receiving the placebo.
Dr. Mumcuoglu's studies were done with standardized active ingredients. The species of elder used was
Sambucus nigra. Thus far, it has been tested against eight various strains of flu virus and found to be

Page 29
effective against all of them. The flu strains that elderberry showed effectiveness against include Hong Kong,
Beijing, Yamagata, Singapore, Panama, Texas and Ann Arbor. Viruses have the ability to mutate into hundreds
if not thousands of slightly different forms. It seems promising that elderberries bind with virus spikes before
they have a chance to penetrate normal cell walls. 2,3
Dr. Mumcuoglu's, product is currently manufactured in Haifa by a pharmaceutical company that obtains its
elderberries from Europe.
Viruses don't have a reproductive system of their own and need to take over healthy cells by puncturing them
with tiny spikes called hemagglutinin so that they can use the cells' reproductive mechanism to make more
viruses. These viral spikes are coated with an enzyme called neuraminidase, which helps to break down cellular
walls. Flavonoids that occur in elderberries inhibit viral action and thereby improve immune response. It is
thought that the flavoniods may also inhibit the action of neuraminidase.
Many types of medications given for the flu make a person feel drowsy. When elderberry preparations are used,
reaction and judgment times are not impaired which is why the Israeli Air Force is interested in using
elderberry for its pilots. Elderberry medicines are best taken at the first onset of a cold or flu so it's helpful to
have some on hand in case illness strikes when all the health food and herb stores are closed.
There is hope that elderberry may also be effective against the AIDS virus as well as against herpes and
Epstein-Barr viruses. Dr. Mumcuoglu's patented formula has been found to stimulate the body's own immune
system by increasing the production of

Page 30
disease-fighting lymphocytes. It is also proving to be an effective antioxidant. The use of elderberry also seems
promising in the treatment of horses with respiratory problems and dogs suffering from parvo, an intestinal
virus.
Elderberry extract has been available in Europe and Israel for several years now and is rapidly becoming more
available in products sold in America.
Using Elder Against Viruses

Elderberry cordial is excellent to take before going to bed when you feel the flu coming on. Northern Brits have
long enjoyed a nightcap of elderberry wine laced with a bit of rum to chase away an oncoming cold. Elder
flowers and berries help to reduce bronchial and upper respiratory catarrh. Colds, flu, laryngitis and tonsillitis
all benefit from the use of elder. Gargling with a warm tea of elder blossoms to which a teaspoon of salt has
been added helps to soothe swollen tonsils and sore throat. The flowers help to relieve fever by promoting
diaphoresis. Elder also benefits eruptive skin diseases such as measles and chicken pox by speeding up the rash
outbreak so the body can cleanse itself and begin the healing process. Elder flowers, berries and buds have been
used throughout history to treat tuberculosis and asthma, especially when mixed with vinegar and honey.
For many herbalists, a favorite method of treating a cold, flu or fever is to give a strong tea of elder blossoms,
peppermint (Mentha piperita) leaves and either yarrow (Achillea millefolium) or ginger root (zingiber
officinale). The tea is often consumed while sitting in a hot bath to further open the pores. The

Page 31
sick person is then placed in a warm bed with lots of covers to continue the sweating process. After awakening
from a refreshing sleep, the patient will usually feel much relieved and the fever will have been sweated out.
After this it is time to shower and change the bed clothes. Elder flower tea can also be used as a sore throat
gargle.
If you are sensitive to honey or sweets, take elder-berry syrup with a meal to minimize any acidic effects. Some
standard elderberry syrups contain honey or other sweeteners.

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Elderberry for Detoxification

Elder helps the body detoxify in several ways due to its diuretic and diaphoretic properties. Elder blossom tea
should be taken before breakfast in the late spring to purify the blood. The berries have long been favored,
since the writings of John Gerard (15451607), as an herb for weight loss. In recent years, elder has regained
popularity for its ability to aid the body in internal cleansing. It allows one to safety detox while maintaining
energy levels as elder is so nourishing.
Elderberry is not only nourishing, it also promotes a healthy metabolism. It helps break up mucus congestion,
helps prevent free radicals from damaging healthy cells, treats constipation by loosening old fecal matter lodged
in the colon and helps to stimulate natural peristaltic movement. Elder also helps eliminate water and fat that is
unnecessarily stored in the body.
An elderberry cleanse is often done to aid in weight loss as well as to help purify the body, making it a less
hospitable host for disease. Improved immunity to common ailments is one of the benefits of following an
elderberry cleanse. Some people may feel slightly hungry and even have mild headaches during the first 24
hours; however this is soon replaced by a sense of well-being, clarity and energy.

Page 33
During the cleanse, it is best to avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea or sedatives such as alcohol. Avoid
smoking. A calm emotional body is also best during this time. Do what it takes to be relaxed and avoid violent
TV or novels. Spend time resting, contemplating nature or soaking in warm water scented with essential oils.
Enjoy the process of purifying your body and mind.
Health food stores carry products for doing an elderberry cleanse, including a beverage containing elderberry,
elder flowers and honey that is very delicious, refreshing and energizing. There are kits available that contain
fiber (containing flaxseed, oat bran and psyllium husk) to aid in colon cleansing and a cleansing herbal tea to
further activate the body's natural ability to cleanse the liver, kidneys and lymphatics. Also included are
capsules of birch, senna and juniper which are used for colon and kidney cleansing. Elderberry cleanses are
designed to be followed for 10-day periods. It is imperative to drink plenty of fluids during this or any other
cleanse. The naturally occurring fructose and glucose content of elderberry juice helps to keep the blood sugar
level stable. For those readers who have undergone cleansing programs before, this one is quite easy and
pleasant. The elderberry juice is a joy to drink and is only 64 calories per serving. One may expect to lose 5 to
10 pounds during the cleanse, but individual metabolism may cause this to vary.
The elderberry cleanse was developed in 1983 by Dr. Brunhild Zechelius, a German naturopath. Dr. Zechelius
is now with The Institute of Nutritional Sciences in Switzerland. Her program continues to be popular in
Europe for its health benefits and its ability to aid weight loss. See Resources.
Those who are unable to fast can follow a modified

Page 34
cleanse in which light food is taken during the program. The elderberry juice, fiber supplements and teas are
still used, but in addition, the person can enjoy simple fare such as fruit, whole grains, steamed vegetables and
yogurt. Following the cleanse, one should return to regular eating, but be more conscientious in selecting foods
that are nourishing.
Those with acute or chronic illness, diabetes or hypoglycemia should consult with a physician before
undertaking this or any other cleansing program.
During the period between November 1986 and February 1988 a clinical study was done using elderberry as a
cleansing program. 4 Dr. Zechelius carried out the study, which included 207 women and men of differing ages
and occupations. Of these, 112 were fully supervised during the program and 95 carried out the cleanse on their
own after an initial exam.
This study was conducted during all four seasons so any differences during hot and cold weather could be
observed. All the participants were volunteers who wished to detoxify their systems as well as lose weight.
Blood pressure, health history, weight, digestive disorders, hunger, excretory patterns, stress and emotional
health were all factors that were monitored with the 112 supervised clients. Most participants followed the
program for seven days, and several requested to follow it a few days longer.
Some of the participants reported health benefits such as relief from sinus congestion, reduction in the desire to
smoke and drink alcohol as well as lowered blood pressure. Of the 112 participants, a total of 580 kilograms or
1,276.8 pounds were lost during the seven-day period, an average of 1.6 pounds per person daily. Two people
discontinued the program complaining of side effects of hypoglycemia and another person

Page 35
dropped out complaining of sensitivity to tannins, which are contained in many types of fruit.
Another observation during the study was that at the beginning of the program 39 people had high blood
pressure and 7 had low blood pressure. Of these 46 people with abnormal blood pressure, 41 had reached
normal levels by the end of the week. Those who started with normal readings were still normal at the end of
the week.
Some experienced hunger which disappeared for most people by the third day. Sixty-three people complained
of slight headaches during the first few days, which disappeared as the program continued. Three patients
experienced migraine headaches that disappeared after a few hours and did not return. These are not unusual
symptoms for any kind of fast as the body begins detoxifying.
Those 95 people following the elderberry cleanse unsupervised still had weight loss success, though less
dramatic than those that had the support of a group and doctor. Eight people did not complete the program
because they felt they couldn't go on without solid food. Of those who persevered, 14 people reported weight
losses of less than 6.6 pounds. Weight loss of between 6.611 pounds was reported by 62 participants. Weight
loss of between 12.116.5 pounds was reported by 11 patients. As far as blood pressure, 23 of the unsupervised
people had high blood pressure and 3 had low blood pressure at the beginning of the program. By the end of
the week, all 26 had normal levels.
To learn more about using elderberry for cleansing and the studies conducted, I recommend an excellent book,
Elderberry Internal Cleansing, by Morton Walker, D.P.M.

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Modern Research on Elder Continues

Recently, a lectin made from purified elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been used in the fractionation of normal
bone marrow cells. Fractionation minimizes the effects of radiation on normal tissue. This work has been
carried out by Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, who patented the elderberry flu formulas, as well as doctors Daphna
Manor and Shimon Slavin. There is hope that elderberry contains properties that may have potential in
improving the success of bone marrow transplants.
Several carbohydrate-binding proteins have been isolated from Sambucus nigra and two haemagglutinins have
been isolated from its bark. Its seeds contain a lectin that is related to the immunological properties of the bark.
One of its carbohydrate-binding proteins, called nigrin, is made of two subunits and is reported to cause red
blood cells to clump. 5
Lectins, glycoproteins known for their ability to agglutinate erythrocytes in vitro, are present in many types of
plants, including beans. Some lectins are toxic. Lectins interact with certain carbohydrates in a specific way.
Lectins are still being studied. It appears that lectins may be involved in recognition between

Page 37
cells of various carbohydrate-containing molecules. This can affect physiological functions. Their purpose in
plant material may be to help protect the plant from disease, pests or microorganisms. There is some hope that
lectins may have the potential to be helpful in cancer therapies. Elder (Sambucus nigra) is one of the plants
being studied for medicinal uses of its lectin content.5 It has been discovered that a non-toxic two-chain
ribosome-inactivating protein referred to as SNA III coexists with a structure-related monomeric lectin in elder
fruits.
Three different elder trees are being investigated for the lectins contained in their barks: Sambucus nigra, S.
canadensis and S. sieboldiana, a Japanese variety. The carbohydrate-binding properties of the lectins are what
are of interest. Another constituent being investigated in elderberries are the anthocyanins. This research is
being conducted on the Sambucus canadensis variety of elder. Thus far, four different types of anthocyanins
have been isolated. Cyanidin was one of the isolated anthocyanins. Two other new ones were discovered. 6
Anthocyanins, which help to give the plant color, are antioxidants which protect cells from free radical damage,
slowing down the aging process and strengthening the immune system.

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Elder for Children

Elder is considered an excellent remedy for children. When consumed by the pregnant mother, it helps to
improve her circulation and aids in the removal of waste products, thus making things easier on the unborn.
Anatomie of an Elder describes how to make a warm infusion of elder blossoms for bathing a newborn baby.
Herbalist Matthew Wood speculates that it may help infants that aren't getting enough oxygen, those who were
blue babies and have difficulty breathing.
Both elder flowers and elderberries can be used as teas, tinctures, syrups and tablets for children for colds,
sniffles and fever. The syrup is especially effective to lessen the severity of an oncoming flu. It is pleasant-
tasting and most children like it. Avoid giving anything with honey to children under one year of age.

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Elder in Oriental Medicine and Homeopathy

There are two main types of elder that are used in Chinese medicine. Sambucus racemosa called Chieh-ku-tan,
which means ''bone knitting medicine," is neutral in temperature and bitter in flavor. It is used as a tea for pain
and to relieve the body of excess moisture.
Sambucus javanica, known as Ch'ou ts'ao, meaning "stinkweed," is warm and sweet. As a medicine it is
employed to reduce swelling. Topically, both varieties are used for bone pain, swellings, muscular spasms and
traumatic injuries.
Elder is also used therapeutically as a homeopathic medicine. It was introduced by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in
1819. The Sambucus ebulus or S. nigra species is most often used. However, it is not one of the more widely
used homeopathic medicines. As a homeopathic remedy, elder is known as sambucus. Some of the indications
for sambucus include: albuminuria (the presence of protein in the urine), angina pectoris, asthma, dizziness and
headache upon arising, dry larynx and lumbago.
Other indications for which sambucus may be an

Page 40
appropriate homeopathic remedy include fretfulness, seeing images before one's eyes while the eyes are closed,
fevers, daytime sweats, red burning spots on the cheeks, colic with gas and nausea, frequent slimy stools,
sniffles in infants and congested babies that are unable to nurse because they can't breathe.
Consider sambucus also for those suffering from excessive perspiration and a suffocating cough that is at its
worst around midnight; such people wake up fearful with breathing difficulty. It can help those with lots of
phlegm, blocked sinuses and hoarseness, people who feel worse after sleeping and from eating fruit and people
who are prone to anxiety and may suffer from spasms. Homeopathic sambucus is also indicated for those who
feel better when sitting up and who engage in movement when breathing is otherwise difficult. It also helps
relieve fluid retention and urinary problems such as cystitis.
Sambucus is frequently given in 6x doses. The best way to determine the correct remedy and dosage is to
consult with a health practitioner well-versed in homeopathy.

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Elder as a Flower Essence and in Aromatherapy

Flower essences are made by soaking flowers in spring water for several hours, often at dawn. They can help
the emotional body as well as the physical body. As a flower essence, elder is useful in assisting the body to
rest and recuperate. It facilitates connecting on a deep level to radiate beauty, youthfulness and joy. It can help
one improve self-esteem. It is given to irritable children to calm their aggression. It fosters love, understanding
and forgiveness. It also can help a person establish appropriate boundaries and develop the ability to say no.
Elder flower essence can be helpful during times of transitions when courage is needed. It can help alleviate
fears and helps one to feel more supported. Use when you feel overcontrolled by others as well as when
overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. Elder can help one to feel more joy and enhances one's ability to recover and
feel renewed. Use elder during life's challenging times as a flower essence, with faith and prayer to aid in your
personal renewal.
Elder flowers are also used in aromatherapy. Rather than making an essential oil by using a steam distillation
process to extract the plant's essence, elder is prepared as an absolute by extracting its es-

Page 42
sence in a petroleum ether base. Unlike the oil of essential oils, elder absolute is solid and waxy. Its aroma is
somewhat herbaceous and honey-like with a sweet floral essence that is not appealing to most people.
However, when elder absolute is diluted and blended with other essential oils, it is useful in perfumery. It
blends especially well with bergamot, oak moss and ylang ylang. In perfumery it is added to carnation bases.

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The Nutrients in Elder

Elderberries are considered excellent sources of vitamins A and C. The high potassium phosphate content in the
flowers may be part of what helps elder calm the nerves. The potassium sulfate present in the flowers, leaves
and bark may be a factor in why elder helps relieve excess mucus.
One cup of raw elderberries provides the following nutrients: 7
55 mg calcium
2.3 mg iron
57 mg phosphorus
406 mg potassium
870 I.U. vitamin A
0.1 mg vitamin B1
0.09 mg vitamin B2
0.33 mg vitamin B6
0.7 mg niacin
0.2 mg pantothenic acid
52.2 mg vitamin C
The bioflavonoid rutin which helps the body to assimilate vitamin C is also present in the leaves and flowers.
Sambucus canadensis is considered one of the most edible species of elder. In the early 1900s, European
hospitals served elderberry jam due to its high content of vitamins and minerals, good taste and ability to
stimulate the appetite, digestion, and regularity. Elderberry products are still widely available in Europe.
When elder flowers are used in food, they are re-

Page 44
ferred to as "elder blow." The flowers can simply be added to fruit salads, jellies and vinegars. Adding elder
blossoms to pancakes and muffin mixes adds a flowery delicacy that is delightful. Elder flower fritters can be
enjoyed with elderberry syrup. The entire flower cluster can be eaten with the exception of the tough stem. Try
adding a handful of blossoms to make an exquisite omelet. Add 1/2 cup of elder flowers to 1/2 cup of softened
butter for a delectable spread to put on pancakes or waffles. Float clusters of elder blossoms in the punch bowl.
Elderberries make me look forward to autumn, when I like to add a few berries to my fruit salad. Native
Americans of British Columbia often marinate salmon in elderberry juice overnight before cooking. Many
cooks prefer using dried berries, finding that the drying process helps to sweeten their flavor. Stew the ripe
berries with apples, cinnamon and cloves. How about a fruit soup, combining onions, ginger and elderberries?
Use elderberries to make jams and jellies. Elderberry syrup on pancakes is just the thing for a snowy morning.
Just like blueberries, the berries can be added to muffins, tarts, cakes and breads. Any recipe calling for apples
can be adapted using half apples and half elderberries. For recipes using blackberries or currants, simply use
elderberries instead. My favorite is elderberry cobbler. Consider freezing, canning or drying the berries so they
can be enjoyed until a new crop is ready next year. Elderberry juice can be canned to be enjoyed throughout
the winter.
People have also found a use for the young tender shoots, which can be pickled or boiled in salty water. This is
used as a substitute for capers. Only the new young shoots are eaten as the older ones are potentially toxic.

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Recipes
ELDER PICKLES
2 cups unripe green flower buds, with stems removed
1/4 cup salt
1 cup water
1/4 cup unrefined sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
Wash and drain the green buds and place them in sterilized jars. Dissolve the salt in water and pour over the
elder. Cover the jars with a cloth and allow them to sit undisturbed for 2 days. Drain and place the buds in 2
1/2 pint sterile canning jars. Cover with boiling vinegar mixed with the sugar. Fill to the top. Seat immediately.
Let sit for 3 to 4 months to allow flavor to develop.
ELDER FLOWER FRITTERS
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup unbleached white flour
1 lightly beaten egg
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
10 sprigs of fresh elder flower clusters
Enough oil to deep fry the clusters
Mix the first 5 ingredients together to make a batter. Heat the oil. Dip the blossom clusters into the batter and
then fry them in the hot oil 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Enjoy the elder fritters drizzled with some
maple syrup, honey or yogurt. They can also be enjoyed plain.
ELDER FLOWER VINEGAR
Steep 2 parts fresh elder flowers in 12 parts apple cider vinegar for two weeks. Strain through several layers of
cheesecloth. Discard the flowers and bottle the vinegar in clean bottles. A gourmet's delight, this is delicious on
salads. It can also be used as a gargle for sore throats and is an effective asthma remedy.

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ELDER MUFFINS
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups of elder flowers or elderberries
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 cup apple juice
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the elder flowers or berries. Add the remaining
ingredients. Fill lightly greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees F. for 25
minutes.
ELDER PANCAKES
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. aluminum-free baking powder
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. honey
1 cup yogurt, rice milk, soy milk, oat milk or dairy milk
1/4 cup water
2 cups elder flowers or elderberries
Vegetable oil (for frying the pancakes)
Sift together dry ingredients. Add eggs and liquid. Stir in elder flowers or berries. Mix together. Fry in an oiled
pan, turning when bubbles form and then break. Turn and fry on the other side until cooked through. Serve
with maple syrup or elderberry sauce.
ELDERBERRY SOUP
1 pound ripe elderberries
3 cups water
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 inch fresh grated ginger root
1 Tbsp. arrowroot powder
4 Tbsp. honey
Wash the berries well, removing any stems. Place berries

Page 47
in a pan with water, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and grated ginger root. Mash the berries somewhat while
simmering for 15 minutes. Mix the arrowroot with a bit of the liquid from the soup. Add it back to the soup.
Bring to a boil and cook until thick. Add the honey. Serve with a fresh grating of nutmeg.
ELDERBERRY COBBLER
5 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. vegetable oil
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup brown or unrefined sugar
4 cups uncooked oatmeal
Melt the butter in a pan, adding the vegetable oil and the pecans or walnuts and toast them slightly. Remove
from heat and add the rest of the above ingredients to the pan. Mix well.
In a large baking pan, mix together:
6 cups washed elderberries
6 small cut and peeled apples
3/4 cup honey
1/4 tsp. ground cardamon
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground anise
Now sprinkle the oatmeal mixture evenly over the top of the elderberry mixture.
Bake at 375 degrees F. for 35 minutes.
ELDERBERRY CHUTNEY
3 cups dried elderberries
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. grated ginger
1 tsp sea salt
1/16 tsp. cayenne pepper
Mix the above ingredients together and add:
1 cup honey
2 cups apple cider vinegar

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Simmer everything together until the mixture thickens. Pour into sterilized 1/2-pint canning jars, leaving 1/2-
inch head room. Process in a water bath for 10 minutes if you wish to preserve the chutney.
ELDERBERRY JAM
Soak 1 cup dried elderberries in 2 cups apple juice for 1 hour. Add 2 1/2 Tbsp. agar flakes. Let soak 2 minutes.
Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Allow to cool.
STEWED ELDERBERRIES
4 cups dried elderberries
cinnamon stick
1 tsp. powdered cloves
2 tsp. grated lemon rind
1/2 cup honey
Place the above ingredients in a saucepan with water to cover. Put a lid on the saucepan and simmer for 45
minutes.
ELDERBERRY RICE PUDDING
2 cups cooked rice
1 1/2 cups rice, soy, dairy or almond milk
Pinch sea salt
4 tsp. honey
1 Tbsp. safflower oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup dried elderberries
1/2 tsp. grated orange rind
Combine the above ingredients. Pour them into an oiled baking pan and bake at 325 degrees F. for 11 1/2
hours.
ELDERBERRY TAPIOCA PUDDING
2 cups water
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup quick cooking tapioca
3 cups elderberries
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
Boil the 2 cups of water. Mix together the honey and tapioca and stir into the boiling water. Return to a boil.

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Now place the mix into a double boiler to avoid burning the bottom. Cook 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
Stir in the elderberries, lemon juice and grated ginger. Cook 5 more minutes. Pour into serving cups and chill.
Garnish with a sprig of mint of an edible pansy flower.
ELDERBERRY PIE FILLING
3 cups of fresh elderberries
1 cup honey
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cardamom
2 apples, peeled and chopped
Mix the above ingredients together and put the mixture in your favorite pie crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 45
minutes.
ELDERBERRY SORBET
2-1/2 cups elderberries
Juice of 1 lemon
3/4 cup honey
3 Tbsp. water
2/3 cup cream
Place all ingredients into a chilled ice cream maker and process.

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Elder and Other Herbs

Elder by itself is pleasant-tasting and even children enjoy drinking it, but it is often combined with other herbs.
At the first sign of a cold, it can be mixed with hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), peppermint (Mentha piperita)
and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
Elder with boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is extremely effective in lowering a fever by promoting sweating.
Use elder flowers or berries with peppermint, fennel (Foeniculum officinalis), anise (Pimpinellum anisum) and
ginger (Zingiber officinale) for digestive upsets.
Combine elder with catnip (Nepeta cataria) leaves to quiet a colicky baby.
For catarrhal conditions, combine either the berries or blossoms with goldenrod (Solidago species), boneset and
wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria).
Elder blossoms, eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) and goldenrod herb make a beneficial infusion to treat hay
fever due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Elder flower and oregano (Origanum vulgare) tea is useful in treating ringing of the ears.

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Elder with mullein leaves (Verbascum thapsus) aids lung congestion and asthma.
When elder blossoms are made into a tea with chamomile (Matricaria recutita), it is good for stiff painful
joints. This combination has also been used as a fomentation for earaches.
For improving skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, make a tea of elder with equal parts chickweed
(Stellaria media), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) and burdock root (Arctium lappa).
A pinch of elder flowers can also be added to a steeping pot of black tea (Camellia sinensis) for a delightful
flavor.
Simmer some cinnamon (Cinnamomum species) bark in 2 cups of water; then add 1 tsp. of elder flowers or
berries to make a warming tea on chilly days.

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Elder as an Alcoholic Beverage

Elderberry has been referred to as ''English grapes," since it is so popular as a wine ingredient. In Kent,
England, elder orchards have been cultivated for the purpose of wine making. Elder flowers have been placed
in wine vessels to improve the flavor of the finished product. Elder blossoms have also been infused into ales.
Elderberries are often added to clarets and Bordeaux wines. Historically, it was considered improper for ladies
to drink alcohol. However, elder and a dandelion wine were deemed permissible as they have therapeutic value.
In autumn, try simmering elderberry wine with warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Not only
does it taste delicious and warm you when taken hot before bedtime, it benefits coughs, colds, flu, asthma and
sore throats. A dash of lemon juice is also delicious in elderberry wine.
In 1747, the elder tree was banned in Portugal in an attempt to prevent its being used as a wine adulterant, even
though it was therapeutic and caused no harm. In 1899, an American soldier visited a doctor in Prague,
Czechoslovakia, and informed him that whenever he got drunk on dark red cheap Czech port wine, his
rheumatism pains would disappear for

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awhile. It never worked with other kinds of wine, regardless of country of origin or cost. It turned out that the
Czech wine had been adulterated with elderberries to give it a brighter color and that it was the elderberries that
gave the therapeutic effect.
ELDER FLOWER FIZZ
1 gallon pure water
1-1/2 pounds sugar
8 large elder flower heads, stripped of the stalks
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 organic lemon
Warm a bit of the water and dissolve the sugar into it. Let cool. Squeeze in the lemon juice and add several thin
slices of rind without the pith. Place the blossoms in a large glass container, add the sweetened water with the
lemon and the vinegar. Leave covered for 10 days, then strain. Carbonic acid will form in the beverage, creating
a sparkling beverage that will be delightfully effervescent and refreshing.
ELDER BLOW WINE
Wash and pat dry 6 cups of elder flowers. Place them in a large crock and cover with 10 pounds honey and 3
gallons of water which has been heated and then cooled. Add I cake of wine yeast to the juice of 3 oranges and
1 lemon. Mix everything together. Add 2 pounds of raisins. Let stand 10 days. Keep in a covered crock for 4
months, then bottle. It is best to store the wine 6 months before drinking.
ELDERBERRY WINE
I. Boil 1 gallon washed elderberries in 2 gallons of water for 30 minutes. Mash well. Strain. Discard the berry
residue and keep the remaining liquid. For every gallon of liquid, add 1 lb. of sugar. In a spice bag or tea
infuser,

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place 1-1/2 oz. fresh ginger, 1-1/2 oz. crushed allspice and 3/4 oz. crushed cloves. Boil this in the liquid for 15
minutes. Pour into a crock, discarding the spices. When the mixture is cool, float 2 pieces of toast that have
been spread with brewer's yeast. Discard the toast after 2 days. Add 1-1/2 cups brandy and store in a large
covered crock for 8 weeks. This wine can store up to 8 years if bottled.
II. A very simple wine can be made by mixing one quart of elderberry juice with 1-1/2 oz. of wine. This is a
simple way to preserve the elderberries and enjoy the medicinal benefits of the wine. Take 2 Tbsp. 2 or 3 times
daily, as needed.
Some like to serve elderberry wine with a fresh grating of cinnamon or nutmeg.
ELDERBERRY CORDIAL
3-1/2 gallons of washed and stemmed elderberries
2 pounds of honey
1 Tbsp. cinnamon powder
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 quarts vodka
Mash berries to extract the juice. Strain through several layers of cheesecloth or process through a food mill.
Add the honey and cinnamon and simmer for 35 minutes. Add the lime juice. Cool. Add vodka. Pour into
pretty bottles and cap. A shot of this before bed ensures a wonderful sleep!

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Elder For Beauty Inside and Out

Another affectionate name for elder is "herbal cosmetic tree." The ancient Egyptians valued elder blossoms for
their ability to beautify the complexion.
Fresh elder flowers can be placed in a muslin bag, dipped in water and used as a gentle facial wash. As a
cosmetic ingredient, elder flower water (Agua Sambuci) is a classic listed in many old herb books. It was
especially popular with great beauties of the 17th century. Regarded as a rejuvenative facial tonic, it has been
used topically to smooth wrinkles, soften and cool the skin, keep the skin blemish-free, reduce enlarged pores
and puffiness around the eyes, and treat sunburn. It is mildly antiseptic, astringent, toning, cleansing and
delightfully aromatic. Elder is also regarded as mildly lightening to the skin and has been used over extended
periods to minimize freckles. Elder blossoms can be mixed with yogurt and applied to the skin as a mask to
banish both freckles and wrinkles. To make elder flower water, simply soak the flowers overnight, covered with
spring water. Strain in the morning. Apply to face morning and night. To preserve elder flower water for a long

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time, and 1-1/2 oz. of alcohol for every two quarts of elder flower water. Bottle and store away from light and
heat.
A facial steam can help you put your best face forward. To deeply clean the pores of dry or irritated skin, boil a
pot of water, remove from the heat and add a generous handful of elder blossoms. Stir and place on a padded
countertop. Drape a towel over your head and gently lean close to the steaming tea to sweat out grime,
imbedded oil and your make-up. Deeply breathe the lovely aroma as you clean your skin. After about five
minutes, splash your face with cool water. This is also a beneficial remedy for acne.
Elder blossom tea can be added to the bath to soften and soothe the skin. Elder flowers can be brewed into a
tea, strained and added to the bath; alternatively, take 2 handfuls of elder blossoms, tie them into a washcloth
and place in the tub. Run the bath water quite hot and turn off when it reaches the right level. Allow the
blossom-filled cloth to "brew" in the tub. When the temperature has cooled down enough, immerse yourself in
the tub, use the cloth to wash your skin as you bathe in the wonderful properties of elder. This is very beneficial
for nervous people.
Elder flower infusion can simply be poured over the hair and scalp after a shampoo to brighten fair hair and
condition dry hair. To make an antidandruff hair rinse, boil a quarter of water, remove from heat and add 4
handfuls elder blossoms. Allow to steep 1 hour. Strain and add 1 quart of apple cider vinegar. Bottle and store
in refrigerator. After shampooing, leave on as a final rinse.
Elderberry juice has also been used to color lips and cheeks. Elderberries have traditionally been used

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to darken graying hair. Simmer 1 cup of elderberries in I quart of water covered for 45 minutes. Strain, bottle
and store in the refrigerator. Take out one cup at a time to use as a final rinse after shampooing.
Crushed elder leaves placed in one's shoes are a traditional European remedy for fatigue. Consider a soothing
foot bath in warm elder flower tea.
Elder has long been infused in oil to apply to dry skin and hair. To make elder flower oil, simply bruise the
flowers and cover with a light oil such as almond or apricot oil. After the herbs are covered, add another 2 or 3
inches of oil to the jar. Let sit in a jar on a windowsill for 4 days. Then pour the oil through several layers of
cheesecloth to remove the flower. Adding several drops of vitamin E will increase its longevity. Bottle the oil in
a clean, dry dark bottle. Use the oil to massage sore muscles, prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, or treat
chapped, itchy skin or chilblains. You can also warm it and apply it to dry split ends of the hair. Then wrap the
head in a towel and leave on for one hour before washing out.
ELDER FLOWER CLEANSING CREAM
Put 1 cup plain yogurt and 5 Tbsp. of elder blossoms in a pan. Simmer gently for 30 minutes. Turn off heat and
allow to sit 5 hours. Reheat and add 3 Tbsp. honey. Whirl the mixture in a blender. Bottle, label and store in
the refrigerator. This is deep cleansing and excellent for removing make-up.
ELDER SCRUB
Mix together 1 1/2 oz. each of ground, dried elder blossoms and peppermint leaves. Add to 2 oz. of ground
oatmeal and 2 oz. corn meal. Use one oz. a week to gently scrub and remove dead layers of skin. It can also be
mixed

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with a bit of honey or yogurt and applied as an invigorating facial mask. Leave on for 10 minutes as you relax
in the tub, then rinse off and splash on face with cool water.
ELDER FLOWER MOISTURIZER
Make a tea by pouring enough boiling water to cover 4 Tbsp. of elder blossoms. Cover and allow to steep
overnight. Strain in the morning, discarding the blossoms and saving the liquid. In a double boiler place 2 Tbsp.
olive oil, 1-1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil, 1 Tbsp. sesame oil, 1-1/2 Tbsp. avocado oil and 1/2 Tbsp. beeswax. Heat
until the wax is melted. Remove from heat, add the tea in which 1/2 tsp. borax has been dissolved. Add 5 drops
essential oil of lavender or geranium and a 400 I.U. vitamin E capsule. Stir. Place in a container. Leave
uncovered until it thickens.

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Other Uses of Elder
A Pest Deterrent
The elder tree in its own right is hardy and rarely suffers from insects, pests or disease. Farmers have long
considered it an ally indoors and out.
During cheese-making time, elder branches have been hung on the walls to repel flies. Well cared for animals
have worn a wreath of elder leaves to deter bugs. An infusion of the leaves can be poured into mole and mouse
holes to inspire them to find other living quarters.
Dwarf elder tea (sambucus ebulus) is used by organic gardeners for many reasons. A tea of the leaves applied
to cabbage and cauliflower prevents caterpillars from devouring them. Applying the infusion to corn deters
yellow flies. Turnips are immune to pesky flies when doused with a tea mixture of elder leaves or buds. The tea
can also be used on fruit trees to prevent blight. Sometimes other ingredients such as copper sulphate, iron
sulphate, nicotine, methylated spirit, slaked lime or soft soap are added to elder tea as a fruit tree blight remedy.
To make a spray to rid a plant of aphids or caterpillars, simmer 8 oz. of leaves in 1 quart of water for 30
minutes, stirring several times. Cool and strain out the herbs. Add 1 tsp. of dishwashing liquid and

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2-1/2 cups cold water. Mix together and pour into a spray bottle. Mist it on affected plants.
Next time you are out in the wild and mosquitoes are hovering around you, stick a sprig of elder behind your
ear to ward them off. To ward off flies and gnats, crush elder leaves and rub them over your face or hat. The
effect is said to last about an hour and then needs to be repeated. Should you get stung by a bee, remove the
stinger and rub the affected area with crushed elder leaves to bring quick relief. Historically, snake bites have
also been treated with elderberries or roots infused in wine.
A Dye Plant
Everyone enjoys having a little color brought into their lives. Throughout history, elder has done just that.
Elderberries yield a violet color. In times past, not only were the berries used to color hair and wine, but also to
enliven fabric and basket materials. Elder-berries have also been used to make beautifully colored inks and to
tint paper blue. With alum used as a mordant to fix the dye, the berries give a purple color, used best on wool
and silk. Elderberries mixed with alum and salt produce a lilac hue, and mixed with alum and cream of tartar
they make a lovely crimson shade. Chrome used as a mordant with elder-berries produces a blue dye and tin
used as a mordant produces blue gray.
Elder leaves combined with alum or chrome as a mordant dyes fabric green. When the leaves are mixed with
alum and salt, a lilac color emerges. Adding elder leaves to copper and acetic acid yields a

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yellow-green hue. The addition of a pinch of iron to the aforementioned formula results in a grayish-green
color.
Elder bark, taken from older branches and combined with an iron mordant yields a black color for wool.
Even elder buds have been used as a natural dye. They give a yellow color.
Plant dyes are more likely to fade when overexposed to light, so protect them accordingly. Today, the chemical
dyes so widely used to color our clothes, curtains and carpets leave polluting residues. Using plant dyes instead
can give beauty without damaging our delicate ecosystems.
A Friend of Many Creatures

Humans are not the only beings that benefit from the elder tree. Elder trees are a popular perching and nesting
tree for birds. Planting an elder will attract birds to your home site. Some of the birds particularly attracted to
elder include blackbirds, bluebirds, crows, green finches, green-tailed towhee, grosbeaks, grouse, house finches,
hummingbirds, jays, juncos, kingbirds, magpies, mocking birds, myrtle warblers, orioles, pheasant, robins,
quails, scarlet tanagers, song thrush, starlings, western tanagers, thrashers, Townsend soliataires, vireos,
woodpeckers and wrens. Blue tits like elder seeds.
Elder stems with their pith removed make a nesting site for solitary bees. This is helpful near fields of alfalfa,
where the presence of bees aids plant pollination. Elder's summer flowers provide an important source of nectar
for many insects. Swallow-tailed

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moths and comma butterflies seem to love the fermenting berries.
Elderberries provide food for birds, bears, chipmunks, elk, moose, deer, foxes, rabbits, squirrels and
woodchucks. Linnaeus said the berries were not good food for chickens and turkeys and might even be toxic to
them. The fact that many wild animals relish the elderberries helps to proliferate this wonderful shrub, as the
elder seeds are fertilized by animal droppings.
The leaves are consumed by cows and sheep and even help to remedy the foot fungi they may suffer from. The
leaves have also been made into an ointment for treating the skin of animals. Linnaeus said that the leaves were
fatal to peacocks and turkeys and should not be consumed by horses and goats.
Elder provides cover and protection as well as food for many of the above mentioned creatures.
Consider that by growing elder, you help provide food and habitats for wild animals that are finding life more
difficult as more wild places get turned into parking lots.

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The Botany of Elder

Eder is a member of the Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle) family. Also included in that family are honeysuckles,
snowberries, twinflowers, viburnums, and weigelas. There is some discussion about giving elder its own family
name, so in the future it may well be called the Sambucaceae family. Elder are mainly small trees or shrubs, yet
some are climbing lianas. They all have bisexual flowers. Native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa,
elder is widely distributed in temperate and subtropic regions.
There are over 30 species of elder. The European tree is larger than the American. It is a deciduous perennial
tree with many trunks and soft wood; it grows to a height of from 5 to 25 feet, depending on the species. Elder
grows in clumps where them may be 10 to 30 canes (stems) in an area. Elder can be found growing at sea level
as well as at an altitude of 9,500 feet. The cane is pithy with prominent lenticels (breathing pores) on the bark
which is pale gray, greenish and warty when young. As elder ages the bark turns black and becomes deeply
fissured. If a twig is partially cut, carefully broken and gently pulled apart one may be able to observe the tiny
spiral air vessels. The leaves, which are serrated and lanceolate, are divided into slender leaflets, about 3-1/2
inches long, growing in opposite pairs often with

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an extra leaf. There are from 5 to 11 leaflets per leaf which are shiny green above and a duller light green
beneath. The leaves are glabrous, meaning they lack hairs, and they sometimes curl backwards. The young
leaves have a spicy fragrance, but as they get older their aroma is less pleasant. The unpleasant aroma of the
bruised leaves may be part of the reason why the plant repels so many types of pests.
The flowers are small, about 1/5 of an inch long with five lobed corollas with five stamens and short filaments.
The flowers are fragrant and form a flat-topped cluster (known as a corymbose cyme) with stalks of different
lengths all growing to the same level. They bloom from the center outward. The flowers are often pollinated by
flies and other insects. The purplish black berries, which ripen in September in the Northern Hemisphere,
contain ovate greenish brown seeds. The berries are actually black, but have a powdery blush on them which
makes them appear blue. There are often three seeds in each berry. Red berries, which should not be eaten, have
too high a saponin content which even keeps animals from consuming them. Plants can usually reproduce by
the time they are three to five years old.
The edible blue/black elderberries usually have a white pith. The inedible red varieties are more likely to have a
brownish pith.
The entire genus has undergone much hybridization and backcrossing. Botanists have a difficult time
differentiating all the different varieties because of this.
Listed below are some of the most common members of elder's family tree.
Sambucus canadensis. ''American elder, sweet elder," grows 8 feet, common in eastern America,

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hardy variety, highly edible blue fruit. Cultivars include acutiloba with dissected leaves, aurea with golden-
yellow leaves and red fruit.
Sambucus cerulea (same as S. glauca). Can grow to 50 feet. Found in western North America. Flowers are
yellow tinged, blue fruit. Edible
Sambucus ebulus. Grows to 4 feet in Eurasia and northern Africa; also grows in eastern and central U.S. Also
known as dwarf elder, Dane's elder. Its black berries are toxic. Good dye source. The root has a history of being
used to treat snakebite.
Sambucus Mexicana. Called Mexican Elder, a variety of S. cerulea found in Mexico, northern California. Bears
flowers and fruit simultaneously. Black fruits. Edible.
Sambucus nigra. Grows to 30 feet, also called "European elder," or "black elder." Berries used in wine making;
flowers and berries used medicinally. Edible.
Sambucus racemosa. Wild in Europe, cultivated in England, also grows in Turkey, western Asia and Siberia.
Grows to 12 feet. Red berries. Poisonous cultivars include Aurea with yellowish leaves, Plumosa with leaves
toothed to the middle with long narrow teeth, purplish when unfolding.
Nicholas Culpepper, the famous English herbalist of the 1700s, said about elder, "I hold it needless to write any
description since every boy that plays with a pop gun will not mistake another tree instead of the elder."

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Growing and Harvesting Elder

Elder can be found growing along riverbanks, ditches, roadsides, openings in the woods, in waste places, clear-
cut areas, where fires occurred and along railroad tracks. Elder has even been known to sprout from old
buildings. Elder is so hardy that it has sprouted simply by sticking a broken twig into the earth. Such life force!
It usually indicates the presence of moisture. Elder is often found growing with bromegrass (Bromus species)
chokecherry (Prunus virginiana). False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina species), gooseberry (Ribes species),
mullein (verbascum thapsis), nettle (Urtica dioica), Oregon grape root (Mahonia species), rose (Rosa species),
sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) serviceberry (Amelanchier species), St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
and wheatgrass (Agropyron species). There are many plants that don't thrive well when grown under it.
Elder has been widely cultivated and tends to spread rapidly. Some people who don't recognize its value might
consider it a weedy shrub. Just remember, however, that it was Emerson who said, "A weed is an herb whose
virtue has not yet been recognized."
Elder is a perennial plant and loves to grow in moist areas where the soil is rich in organic material, lime and
nitrogen, It does well in semi-shaded areas

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as well as sunny ones. It has been described as a versatile opportunist. It is not prone to pests or disease and
can easily dominate a garden area by spreading. If leaf spots do appear, they are not considered serious. Should
stems become infected with borers, simply prune them out. If mildew forms a white coating on the leaves, a
sulfur spray is a commonly used remedy. Wild shrubs tend not to transplant easily. Nursery stock can make
good plants.
Elder can be propagated by sowing the ripe berries one inch deep in outdoor pots and then transplanting in
semi-shade or by taking foot-long cuttings in late autumn and replanting them. Elder also produces suckers
which can be used to make new plantings. It grows quickly, sows itself and produces new shoots. Elder will
grow best if fed matured compost for at least the first year.
In the spring cut the elder back, weed and mulch it. Fertilizing with seaweed or adding a seaweed solution
spray is excellent. In the summer, protect the fruits from birds if you want to have any for your own purposes.
In autumn, take cuttings and give to friends, who should have elder growing in their yards too. In winter, after
the leaves have fallen cut out any diseased wood should it exist. Pruning in the late winter or early spring helps
to keep elder from taking over. Pruning also encourages the growth of more flowers and thus berries.
Elder is excellent to use as an informal border, background, hedgerow, screening or in a wild garden. It can
form impenetrable thickets, easily dominating a garden and penetrating walls if planted too close to a building.
So plan ahead before putting elder in the ground. It has been used to stabilize dikes and dams. If it overgrows,
prune it to the ground and it will renew. Planting elder near a compost heap is excellent as the excretions from
the roots and fallen

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leaves will make the compost light and help restore the soil. For those having a difficult time deciding what to
plant in a wet garden site, consider the elder.
Elder grows quickly, is self-sowing and produces new shoots. Once it has established itself, it really needs no
special protection in the winter. Elder trees (Sambucus racemosa, S. pubens) are considered beneficial in
stabilizing soil and controlling erosion in moist sites. They grow easily on gentle slopes. Sambucus microbotrys
is best for planting on disturbed riverbank locations where aspen and ponderosa pines grow in the western
United States. Sambucus cerulea grows prominently in some American areas that have suffered the ravages of
fire as it is able to resprout, and seeds that were buried tend to germinate after a fire. The seeds have a tough
coat and dormant embryos which helps delay germination. Without treatment, seeds may take at least two years
to germinate. Heat treatment or scarification can actually hasten germination. Even after apparent destruction,
elder still brings forth life and bears fruit. The cultivation of such an easy-to-grow tree that offers flowers, fruit,
medicine and protection seems most worthwhile.
Harvesting
As far as herbs go, elder is easy to harvest, providing an abundance of food and medicine with a minimum of
effort. It is a joy to collect the delicious and useful parts of elder. Be careful not to disturb animals that may be
dwelling in the elder. The wise person always asks permission before collecting from this tree.
It is best to collect above-ground plant parts in the morning, after the dew has risen, but before the sun

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has been shining on them all day. Spring is the time to collect the buds and leaves. Dry the leaves in a large
paper bag away from people as the leaves give off a gas that may give some people headaches.
Late spring and early summer are the best times to gather elder blossoms. Look for elder when it is in flower as
this is the easiest time to identify it from a distance. Then, upon closer inspection, make sure you have the right
plant. Elder blossoms will bloom at lower elevations first. Just before they reach full bloom is the ideal time to
collect them. Harvesting too many flowers can decrease the amount of berries available in the fall. To avoid
this, try shaking the blossoms into a bucket; that way the ovaries which produce the fruit will still be attached
to the branches and fruit bearing will still occur. Otherwise, collect only in areas where elder is abundant and
take only a portion of the flowers. You might also gather a small amount from several locations. Gather only
where it is easy and will not damage the tree. Be sure to leave some for the birds and other creatures!
Avoid bruising the flower heads and spread them out to dry with their heads down on a nylon screen or net. It
is best to keep them from touching one another so they will retain their color. Dry them in a warm place such as
an attic or on top of a clean closet.
Elderberries are generally harvested in September through October. After the first frost is an ideal time as frost
has a way of sweetening and ripening berries. The trees are often bent with the abundance of berries. Berries
facing east and west are often sweeter from more sun exposure. It is easy to strip the berries off the stalks.
Some people prefer to pick entire clusters and then remove the berries from the stems later in the comfort of
their homes. The berries ripen over

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several weeks so you can forage once and then go back for another round in a couple of weeks.
How to Preserve Elder
Dry the berries on nonmetallic screens or open paper bags. Berries can be dried during the day in the sun,
brought indoors in the evening, and then returned to sunlight the next morning. I have also had great results
using a food dehydrator. It fills the house with a wonderful fruity aroma. To reconstitute dried elderberries,
simply cover them with hot water and allow them to soak for about an hour.
Another way to preserve elderberries is by canning them. Add 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice to each quart of
elderberries. Fill clean, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch of head room. Add a thin syrup made by boiling 4 cups
of water with 2 cups of sugar. Be sure to leave the 1/2-inch headroom. Put on clean lids with screw tops.
Process in a boiling water bath (212 F°/100°C), pints for 15 minutes and quarts for 20 minutes. Remove the
jars. Cool. Label and enjoy all winter.
Freezing is another possibility for preserving elder-berries. Wash and sort berries, removing stems. Some
people like to steam the berries for a minute to tenderize their skins. Place in freezer bags or freezing
containers. Leave 1/2-inch headroom. Seal and freeze.
Be mindful of all the cautions about using elder bark and roots; (see page 7981); however, if you decide that
you still want to harvest this part of the elder, collect in the fall of the second to fourth years. When the elder
material is dry, store in a glass jar, protected from light and heat. Dampness will cause the blossoms to get
musty and lose their aroma. Use within a year. Nature will provide more the next year.

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Lore About Elder

Early farmers in America looked for the appearance of the green immature berries of elder as a signal that now
was the time to plant their wheat. In England, the beginning of summer is heralded when the elder flowers
bloom. When the berries are ripe it signals summer's end. Elder has a short life span, but it easily self-sows and
will continue growing in the same area for many years.
There are few trees that have as much lore and legend associated with them as elder. It is regarded as a symbol
of safety and healing as well as sorrow and death. Other esoteric meanings related to elder are transformation,
releasing old, stuck patterns, exorcism, compassion, zealousness, prosperity, sleep, luck, wishes come true,
healing, peace and protection.
It is said that the cross of Calvary was made of elder and that Judas hung himself from an elder tree. To
Americans this may seem questionable, as our trees are smaller than the European elders. The legend adds,
however, that elder trees once were much larger, but since the crucifixion, most varieties of elder grow no
bigger than a shrub.
Many legends claim that elder is a key to enchanted realms and that standing under the elder on Midsummer
Night allows one to see fairies. Herbalist Ed Smith refers to elder as, "a condominium for

Page 72
devas." Herbalist Anne McIntyre calls elder "the flower of fairyland." However, it is considered unlucky to fall
asleep under an elder tree, perhaps due to its soporific odor. You may not wake up feeling quite the same!
Meditating in a grove of elders is considered especially beneficial. Doing this on the night of a full moon after
a fasting period (especially the elderberry cleanse) is ideal.
In Europe the leaves were gathered on the last day of April and hung on doors and windows to protect the
dweller from evil. The English would plant elder close to their homes to protect them from ever being struck by
lightning or ill health. Folklore says that it is wise to take refuge under an elder tree during a lightning storm as
elder is rarely, if ever struck.
It is also said that elder will flourish only next to a home in which happy people dwell. According to legend,
those who have elder growing by their homes will be blessed with the comfort of dying at home rather than
away from it. In Russia, elder growing near a home is said to prolong life and protect the inhabitants from evil.
Russian peasants say that the elder is full of compassion for all humans, drives away evil and brings long life.
Gypsies feel it is bad luck to burn the elder. To this day in parts of Great Britain, it is still considered a
wrongdoing to burn elder wood. Hedge cutters who are superstitious fear that it is bad luck to cut elder. They
may have their reasons! Furniture made of elder was said to bring misfortune into the home and cause the
person who made the furniture to be haunted. Some believed the spirit of the elder would follow one home and
cause misfortune. Making cradles out of elder was said to be especially dangerous for the baby.

Page 73
Farmers would not use elder sticks to drive their cows to market, nor would women use the wood to skewer
poultry. However, on January 6th, it was considered all right to cut elder branches if permission were asked of
the tree. Even modern-day herbalists often ask permission from the elder tree before collecting any parts. Some
Germans still remove their hats when passing before an elder tree. The proper way to ask permission is to kneel
before making the first cut while saying "Lady Ellhorn, give thee of thy wood and I will give thee of mine when
I become a tree."
The saying, "Knock on wood," comes from the ancient practice of woodcutters to knock on a tree before
cutting to allow any spirits or small animals to vacate.
Other names of the elder tree spirit are "Elder Queen," "Elder Mother" and "Hylde-Moer." Danish legend
recounts that a dryad, or the elder mother resides in the tree. Elder is associated with Hulda. or Hilda, the
godmother of all the elves. Hulda is also regarded as the Protectress of Homes and as the good mother of the
elves. Hyldermoder is always depicted dressed in a flowing green gown. Her countenance is that of a kind,
elderly and protective mother. She bears no ill will against humans unless one is disrespectful to the tree. Look
for her when the moon is full. Ask for her help on issues of wisdom, fertility and prosperity. Before cutting or
taking of the elder, it is considered wise to tell it of your intentions.
Native American people have also recognized the feminine attributes in the elder tree. The Ogimauikwe call her
"the headwoman's tree." It is suggested that one should visit her, perhaps bringing a gift of tobacco, and talk to
her about what is bothering you.

Page 74
Then come back and talk again. It was usually the native women who would do the medicine collecting from
the elder.
Hans Christian Anderson wrote a delightful story entitled, ''Elder Tree Mother." In this story a young boy is told
a tale about an elder tree in a teapot. Through the elder tree the boy visits the future and the past. The boy is not
sure what part of the story has been real and what part a dream. When the story is over, the boy exclaims to his
mother, "How beautiful it was! Mother, I have been to warm countries." She replies, "I can quite believe it.
When anyone drinks two full cups of elder flower tea, he may well get into warm countries."
Tales of elder abound in Europe, one story being that elder disengages itself and wanders around villages at
night, peeking in windows.
During the Middle Ages, if a person was to set out on a long journey he would entrust his health and safety to
an elder tree. If the tree flourished, so would the person. If it withered and died, so would the traveler. These
trees were regarded as guardian trees. In Copenhagen, there is an old sailors' section where many homes still
have a protective elder tree.
It was also said that if elder flowers were put in ale and a man and woman shared that ale, they would be
married within a year; scattering elder blossoms to the winds at a wedding would bring blessings, and carrying
elderberries in a medicine bag helped to resist the temptations to commit adultery. Pregnant women would kiss
the elder tree in passing to bring good fortune to their babies. Elder flower water was used at baptisms and child
blessing ceremonies. If a child were whipped with an elder stick, it was believed the youth would stop growing.

Page 75
Branches of elder were often buried with the dead to protect them from evil. The wood was sometimes burned
on funeral pyres. If the tree bloomed after being planted over a grave, it meant the deceased was happy in
Paradise. Drivers of horse-drawn hearses would carry a whip of elder for protection. Some associate elder with
the queen or king of the underworld.
A Danish legend says that elder sprang from the blood of a slain countryman. Dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus) is
said to grow near ancient battlefields where much blood has been shed. The species name ebulus means "to
bubble up." The belief was that the blood of soldiers bubbled up from the earth. The plant does turn very red in
the fall and, when it dies down, it leaves a red stain upon the ground and then disappears until the next spring.
A Polish custom is to bury one's sins under the elder tree.
Elder has long been a choice wood in making magic wands. Scatter elder over any object one wishes to bless,
but beware of selfish wishes!
Sticks of elder have been used to kill serpents and drive off robbers. Even today in Sicily, elder branches are
still considered best for this task. Elder is believed to help deter attackers of every sort, including those of evil
enchantment. There are tales told of witches who needed to hide who would transform themselves and take
refuge in the branches of a nearby elder.
In Germany, the elder pith would be taken from dead branches and cut into round flat shapes, dipped in oil,
then lit to float in a bowl of water. This was said to give a family protection and enable it to foresee any evil. In
many countries of Europe, elder was planted to ward off evil spirits.

Page 76
A custom beginning with the Gauls was to burn some elder on the eve of Saint John's Day (June 24th) to
protect people, animals and crops. Crosses have long been made of elder and placed in stables to protect the
animals therein.
In Sussex, a tradition is to take an elder twig, tie it in three or four knots and carry it in one's pocket to protect
the bearer from rheumatism. Elder twigs have also been used as an amulet to help prevent epilepsy. According
to Anatomie of an Elder, "In the month of October, a little before the full moon, pluck a twig of the Elder and
cut the part out between two joints. Cut into nine pieces, tie them up in a linen cloth and bind above the heart
with thread. Tighten until the thread breaks, remove the amulet with an instrument and bury in the ground, so
nobody can touch it."
To get rid of a wart, some suggest rubbing a green elder twig over the area and then burying the twig for a
month. An age-old belief held that to rid oneself of fever, silently poke an elder stick into the ground. It was
also believed that placing the dried berries beneath one's pillow would break a pattern of insomnia.
One of my favorite legends tells about a king's hunting party that was lost in the woods. The group came upon a
home where a very old man was sitting on the porch crying because he had picked up his father to carry him
and dropped him and had been beaten. No one in the party could believe that such an old man could still have
a father who was alive. The king entered the home to find a group of very calm elderly people at work. They
attributed their good health to a healthy diet that included elderberries, homemade bread and cheese. Interesting
how the name elder also implies one who is old.

Page 77
In the play, Arsenic and Old Lace, elderberry wine was laced with arsenic to put old men out of their misery.
One of my favorite. French movies is The Sorceress, where elder is used for its many healing virtues by the
main character, a medieval herbalist and wise woman.
Elder flowers have been added to the bath, not only to beautify the skin but for protection. To bless someone,
scatter elder blossoms in the four directions while saying the person's name and praying.
If you are growing elder, lore suggests that you ask for the fairies' protection. and garland the tree with ragwort
(Senecio species) to encourage fairy blessings, especially on Midsummer's Day. Pan, the playful god who was
half man and half goat, played pipes of elder.
Other lore attributed to elder are that it is a feminine tree, linked with Venus and The Great Goddess, dedicated
to Thor and associated with the element of water.
In the Celtic calendar, elder is the tree of the last month, Ruis. This time is honored on the last three days of
October when Samhain or Halloween marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.
Elder is a beautiful and fascinating tree. In Michael Tierra's Herbal Tarot Deck, elder is associated with card
number 13 or death, beginnings and endings. It is the card that signifies transformation, purification and
renewal.
Elder certainly is a tree associated with power, magic and good fortune, but if used disrespectfully it can also
bring about misfortune. Throughout history people have found many ways to bring the benefits of elder into the
medicine chest, hearth and heart.

Page 78
Cautions About Elder

In the United States, elder is on the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) list. Canada approves elder as an over-
the-counter drug. The United Kingdom classifies elder on their General Sales List. In France, elder fits into the
Traditional Medicine category. Elder is an official remedy in Belgium. In Germany, elder is approved by
Commission E as an over-the-counter drug.
However, despite the worldwide approved safety of elder, there are some things to be aware of. Before
consuming elderberries, check with a local herbarium (many college campuses have them) to be sure the
species in your area are edible. It is important to eat only blue, purple or black elderberries. Many red berried
elder plants are considered toxic, especially their seeds, leaves, bark and roots. Children who have made blow
guns and whistles from red elder's hollowed-out stems have sometimes reported nausea. When elder is taken to
excess, nausea and vomiting may occur. It is especially important to avoid red elderberry clusters, growing in
rounded rather than flat clusters. These are more likely to make one sick. Sambucus microbotrys has a high
saponin content that causes even animals to avoid it. Sambucus pubens also has too high a saponin content to
be consumed.

Page 79
Only ripe elderberries of edible species should be used. The unripe berries, as well as leaves, stems, young bark
and roots, contain the glycoside d-sambunigrin which can produce hydrocyanic acid. This can have a cathartic
activity and may even result in numbness and dizziness. The remedy is to give plenty of fluids.
The leaves, root and bark are considered safest for external use only. However, European elder has less toxicity
than the western varieties. The bark, if used internally, should be only the European variety aged for at least
one year to avoid cyanide toxicity.
Cooking elderberries makes them more edible, but only if the species is edible to begin with. Removing the
elder seeds by using a food mill when making jellies, juice and syrups also makes them safer. However, for
years I have made elderberry pies and cobblers that included the seeds, and no one has ever suffered any ill
effect.
Elder can be confused with another tree, mountain ash. Mountain ash has leaves that are alternate instead of
opposite and its seeds are winged.
Conditions in which elderberries may be inappropriate include migraine headache accompanied by weakness
and deficiency. If elder makes the condition worse, stop using it. Also, if drying and fluid loss worsen a
condition, it is best to not use elder. Pregnant women should use only the elder's flowers and cooked edible
berries.
You will find elder products in natural food and herb stores. You may discover elder growing in your area and
feast free on its many edible and medicinal properties. With all the marvelous benefits of the elder, be it as a flu
remedy, elderberry pie or its

Page 80
purported ability to bring good fortune, you may want to grow some near your home. What a lovelier, happier
and healthier world it would be for all creatures with more elder trees!

Page 81
Appendices
References
1. Wood, Matthew, The Book of Herbal Wisdom, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 1997.
2. Zakay-Rones, Zichria, Ph.D., Varsano, Noemi, M.Sc., Zlotnik, Moshe, M.D., Manor, Orly, Ph.D., Regev,
Liora, Schlesinger, Miriam and Mumcuoglu, Madeleine, Ph.D., "Inhibition of Several Strains of Influenza
Virus in Vitro and Reduction of Symptoms by an Elderberry Extract, The Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine, Volume 1, Number 4, 1995, pages 361369.
3. Williams, Dr. David G., "Cheap Insurance Against Viral Diseases," Alternatives for the Health Conscious
Individual, Volume 6, Number 5, November, 1995, pages 3336.
4. Zechelius, Brunhild, Dipl. Ecotrophologist, Study of a Juice Fasting Treatment Based on Elderberry Juice,
Elderflower Syrup, Elderberry Herbal tablets, Blood Purifying Drops, Diuretic Capsules and Various teas,
Empirical Study, 1988.
5. III Mach, Lukas, Kerschbaumer, Randolf, Schwihla, Herwig and Glö31ssl, "Elder Fruit Lectin Occurs in
Monomeric, Dimeric and Oligomeric Isoforms," Biochemical Journal, London, 315, 1061, pages 343344, 1996.
6. Nakatani, Nobuji, Kikuzaki, Hiroe, Hikida, Junko, Ohba, Mayumi, Inami, Osamu and Tamura, Itaru.
"Acylated Anthocyanins from Fruits of Sambucus Ca31nadensis," Phytochemistry, Volume 38, Number 3,
pages 755757, 1995.
7. Kirschmann, Gayla J. and Kirschmann, John D., Nutrition Almanac, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996.

Page 82
Resources
For more information on elder products, contact:
Flora, Inc. (makers of Sambu Internal Cleansing and Weight Loss Program)
P.O. Box 950 Lynden, WA 98264. (800) 446-2110
J.B. Harris, Inc. (makers of Sambucol, the flu remedy) 4324 Regency Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. (800) 941-
7747.
Frontier Herbs, P.O. Box 299, Norway, IA 52318. (800) 227-7996.
Star West Botanicals, 11253 Trade Center Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742. (916) 853-9354.
Bibliography
Altman, Nathaniel, Sacred Trees, Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, 1994.
Blochwich, Dr. Martin, Anatomie of an Elder, London, 1644.
Cunningham, Scott, Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul,
Minnesota, 1994.
Cutler, H.G., Household Jewels, W.R. Vansant, 1903.
Diamond, Denise, Living with the Flowers, Quill Press, New York, 1982.
Felter, Harvey Wickes, M.D. and Lloyd, John Uri, Ph.D., M., Ph.,D., King's American Dispensatory, Volume
II, Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, Oregon, 1983.

Page 83
Grieve, Mrs. M., A Modern Herbal, Volume I, Dover Publications, New York, 1971.
Hahnemann, Dr. Samuel, Materia Medica Pura, B. Jain Publishers, New Dehli, India, 1989.
Harvey, Clare and Cochrane, Amanda, Encyclopedia of Flower Remedies, Thorson's, San Francisco, 1995.
Hoffmann, David, Herb Users' Guide, Thorson's Publishing, Rochester, Vermont, 1987.
Holmes, Peter, Energetics of Herbs, Volume I, Artemis Books, Boulder Colorado, 1989.
Keville, Kathi, The Illustrated Herb Encyclopedia, Mallard Press, New York, 1991.
Kirschmann, John D., Nutrition Almanac, McGraw-Hill, St. Louis, 1996.
Krochmal, Arnold and Connie, Complete Illustrated Book of Dyes from Natural Sources, Doubleday and
Company, Garden City, New York, 1974.
Krumm, Bob, The Rocky Mountain Berry Book, Falcon Press, Helena, Montana, 1991.
Lighthall, J.I., Indian Household Medicine Guide, Peoria, Illinois, 1883.
McIntyre, Anne, The Complete Woman's Herbal, Henry Holt Company, New York, 1994.
Michael, Pamela, All Good Things Around Us, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1980.

Page 84
Moore, Michael, Medical Plants of the Pacific West, Red Crane Books, Santa Fe, 1993.
Rose, Jeanne, Jeanne Rose's Herbal Body Book, Grosset and Dunlap, New York, 1976.
Schofield, Janice, Discovering Wild Plants, Alaska Northwest Books, Bothell, Washington, 1989.
Shook, Dr. Edward, Advanced Treatise in Herbology, Trinity Center Press, Beaumont, California, 1978.
Tatum, Billy Joe, Billy Joe Tatum's Wild Foods and Field Guide Cookbook, Workman Publishing, New York,
1976.
Tierra, Lesley, L. Ac., The Herbs of Life, Crossing Press, Freedom, California, 1992.
Tierra, Michael, C.A., M.D., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, 1988.
Walker, Morton, D.P.M., Elderberry Internal Cleansing, New Way of Life, Stamford, Connecticut, 1989.
Weiner, Michael, Earth Medicine, Earth Foods, Collier Books, New York, 1972.
Willard, Terry, Ph.D., Textbook of Modern Herbology, Progressive Publishers, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1988.
Williamson, Darcy, The Rocky Mountain Wild Foods Cookbook, Caxton Printers, Caldwell, Idaho, 1995.
Wood, Matthew, The Book of Herbal Wisdom, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 1997.
Zechelius, Dr. Brunhild, Elderberry Diet, P.G. Publishing, Switzerland, 1989.

Page 85
Index
A
acne, 56
aging
and antioxidants, 37
lore, 76
AIDS virus, 29
albuminuria, 39
ale, 52
Algonquin Indians, 6, 7
alterative, 18
amulet, 76
anemia, 13
angina pectoris, 13, 39
animals and elder, 61-62
anise, 50
anthocyanins, 37
anti-inflammatory, 19, 50
see also inflammation
anticatarrhal, 18
see also catarrh
antidandruff, 56
antioxidants, 30, 37
see also free radicals
antirheumatic, 19
see also rheumatism
antiseptic, 19, 55
see also infection
antispasmodic, 19
antiviral, 19, 27-31
anxiety see fretfulness
aperient, 19
see also constipation;
digestive; laxative
aphid spray, 12, 59-60
aromatherapy, 41-42
arthritis, 15
asthma, 13, 30, 39, 51, 52
astringent, 19, 55
B
bark, elder, 14-15
as dye, 61
protein content, 36
teas, 23
toxicity, 14
bee sting treatment, 60
bergamot, 42
berries, elder, 13-14, 64
anthocyanin content, 37
betacarotine content, 13
calcium content, 13
as dye, 60-61
as food, 13, 44-49
see also jam;
juice as food for animals, 61-62
harvesting, 69-70
phosphorus content, 13
potassium content, 13
preserving, 70
protein content, 28
stewed, 48
syrup, 25-26
teas, 23
tinctures, 24
toxicity, 64, 78
vitamin content, 13
betacarotene, 13
bioflavonoids, 43
birch, 33
Blockwich, Martin, 4-5
blood pressure, 35
bone marrow
fractionation, 36
transplants, 28, 36
boneset, 50
botany, of elder, 63-65
buds, as dye, 61
burdock root, 51
burns, 7, 12
C
calcium, 13
calendula, 11
calmative, 19-20
see also fretfulness
cancer
and lectins, 37
see also bone marrow;
leukemia
canning of berries. 70
carminative, 20
see also digestive
Carrier Indians, 7
cascara sagrada, 14

Page 86
catarrh, 13, 30, 50
see also anticatarrhal
cathartic, 20
see also constipation
catnip, 50
Celtic lore, 77
chamomile, 51
Cherokee Indians, 7
Chickasaw Indians, 6, 7
chicken pox, 30
chickweed, 51
Chieh-ku-tan, 39
chilblains, 5, 12
children and elder, 38, 50
for colic, 7
dosages, 24
laxative, 6
for naval healing, 6
Chippewa Indians, 7
Choctaw Indians, 7
cholesterol, 17
Ch'ou ts'ao, 39
chutney, 47-48
cinnamon, 51
cleansing, 1-2
skin, 55-56, 57
see also detoxification;
diaphoretic
cobbler, 47
colds, 1-2, 7, 27, 50, 52
Coles, William, 5
colic, 7, 50
colon cleansing, 33
comfrey, 11
complexion, 55-58
composting, 68-69
compresses, 25
congestion, 32, 40, 43, 51
conjunctivitis, 11
constipation, 15
cordial, 30, 54
Cortex sambuci see bark
coughs, 27, 52
Creek Indians, 6-7
Culpepper, Nicholas, 4
cyanide, 79
cyanidin, 37
cystitis, 40
D
d-sambunigrin, 79
dandelion wine, 52
dandruff, 56
Dane's elder see Sambucus ebulus
decongestant, 20
see also colds;
congestion;
flu
Delaware Indians, 6, 7
detoxification, 32-35, 72
diaphoretic, 20, 30, 32
see also cleansing;
rashes
digestive, 20, 43, 50
Dioscorides, Pedanius, 4
disutient, 20
see also cancer
diuretic, 10, 14, 20, 32
see also kidney function
dizziness, 39
Doctrine of Signatures, 9
dosages, 40
children, 24
syrup, 26
tinctures, 24
dropsy, 17
druids, 4
dwarf elder see Sambucus ebulus
dye,14, 56-57, 60-61
E
earache, 51
eczema, 12, 51
edema, 8
elder
as alcoholic beverage, 52-54
as approved drug, 78
botany of, 63-65
and complexion, 55-58
description, 1
dosages, 23-26, 40
and the environment, 61-62
etymology, 2
as food, 7, 45-49
growing, 60-68
harvesting, 68-70, 73
history, 4-8
lore, 71-77
nutrient content, 43-44
parts, 11-17
in perfumery, 42
preparations, 23-26
preserving, 70
properties of, 18-22
as protection from evil, 72, 75, 77
recipes, 45-49
research, 27-29, 34-35, 36-37
species, 2, 63
synonyms for, 3
toxicity, 78-80
uses, 59-62
see also bark;
berries;
flowers;
leaves;
wood
elder absolute, 41-42
elder blow, 43-44
elder blow wine, 53
elder fungus, 16-17
elder tree spirit, 73

Page 87
elderberries see berries
emetic, 7, 20
see also vomiting
emollients, 12, 20
see also ointments;
salves
emotions see fretfulness
epilepsy, 14, 15
and elder lore, 76
Epstein Barr virus, 29
Evelyn, John, 5
evil spirits, 72, 75
expectorant, 24-21
see also congestion;
coughs
eyebright, 11, 50
eyewash, 11, 25
F
facial mask, 57-58
facial tics, 14
facial wash, 55, 56
fatigue, 57
febrifuge, 21
see also fever
fennel, 50
fever, 6, 7, 13, 50
see also febrifuge
fiber supplements, 33
fizz, 53
flavonoids, 29
see also bioflavonoids
flaxseed, 33
flowers, elder, 11-12, 64
as dye, 61
essence, 41-42
as facial wash, 55
in food, 43-49
harvesting, 69
oils, 57
teas, 23
tinctures, 24
see also nectar
flu, 1-2, 27, 28-29, 52
fluid retention, 15, 40
folklore, 71-77
food coloring, 14
fractionation, 36
freckles, 55
free radicals, 32
see also antioxidants
fretfulness, 3-40, 41, 43, 56
see also nervines
fritters, 45
fruit tree blight, 59
furniture of elder wood, 72
G
galactagogue, 21
ginger root, 30, 50
Gitskan Indians, 7
glycoproteins, 36
goldenrod, 50
gonorrhea, 6
gout, 12
GRAS, 78
green elderberry ointment, 6
growth of elder, 66-67
gypsy lore, 72
H
haemagglutinins, 36
hair conditioner, 56
harvesting of elder, 68-70
hay fever, 50
headache, 6, 7, 12, 25, 39
heart disease, 6
hemorrhoids, 5, 6, 12
herb combinations, 50-51
high blood pressure, 13
Hippocrates, 4
Hirneola auricula-judae, 16-17
hives, 12
see also rashes
homeopathic medicine, 39-40
Houmas Indians, 6
hydragogue, 21
see also edema
hydrocyanic acid, 14, 79
hyssop, 50
I
immune system, 29-30
and antioxidants, 37
Indians see Native Americans
infants see children
infection, 6
see also antiseptic
inflammation, 6, 12, 17, 39
see also anti-inflammatory
infusions, 56
insect repellent, 7, 60
insomnia, 76
Iroquois Indians, 6, 7
J
jam, 13, 43, 48
jaundice, 6, 15
Judas ear, 16-17
juice, 27, 33, 44
as dye, 56-57
juniper, 33
K
kidney function, 6, 10, 13, 33
see also diuretic
Kniepp, Father, 8
''knock on wood", 73
L
landscape planting, 68-69

Page 88
laxative, 7, 14, 21
for children, 6
see also aperient;
purgative
leaves, elder, 12
as dye, 60-61
as food for animals, 62
harvesting, 68-69
lectins, 36-37
legends, 71-77
leukemia, 28
see also bone marrow
lianas, 63
lore, 71-77
lumbago, 39
lymphocytes, 29-30
M
marshmallow root, 51
measles, 6, 30
meditation, 72
Menominee Indians, 7
menstrual problems, 13
Meskwaki Indians, 7
Mexican elder see Sambucus mexicana
Mohegan Indians, 7
moisturizer, 58
mosquito repellent, 60
mountain ash, 79
mouthwash, 25
mucus see congestion
muffins, 46
mullein, 51
mumps, 6
muscle spasm, 39
N
Native Americans, 44
elder lore, 73-74
elder use, 6-8
elder wood, 15-16
nectar, 61
nervines, 21
see also fretfulness
nervous system, 9-10
nervousness see fretfulness
neuralgia, 14
neuraminidase, 29
newborns see children
nigrin, 36
O
oak moss, 42
oat bran, 33
oil, 57
ointments, 5, 12
see also emollients;
salves
Ojibwa Indians, 7
oregano, 50
Oriental medicine, 39
P
pain, 6, 39, 51
Paiute Indians, 7
pancakes, 46
pemmican, 7
peppermint, 30, 50
perfumery, 42
phlegm see congestion
phosphorus, 13
pickles, 45
pie filling, 49
Pima Indians, 7
plantain, 11
plant pests, 59
potassium, 13
potassium phosphate, 43
potassium sulfate, 43
pregnancy
and elder, 38, 79
and elder bark, 15
in elder lore, 74
preserving of elder, 70
propagation of elder, 67
proteins, 28, 36
see also glycoproteins
pruning of elder, 67
psoriasis, 51
psyllium husk, 33
pudding, 48-49
purgative, 21
see also laxative
R
radiation, and fractionation, 36
rashes, 30
see also hives
rejuvenative, 21
see also restorative
relaxant, 22
see also asthma; fretfulness
respiratory system, 9
restorative, 22
see also rejuvenative
rheumatism, 7, 13, 14, 52-53
and elder lore, 76
see also antirheumatic
rice pudding, 48
rob, 13
rutin, 43
S
salves, 11-12
see also emollients;
ointments
sambucine, 12, 14
Sambucus canadensis, 2, 13, 43, 64-65
hydrocyanic acid content, 14
lectin content, 37
sambucine content, 14
Sambucus cerulea, 13, 65, 68

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Sambucus ebulus, 39, 65, 75
tea, 59
Sambucus glauca, 65
Sambucus javanica, 39
Sambucus Mexicana, 65
Sambucus microbotrys, 68, 78
Sambucus nigra, 2, 13, 39, 65
and flu virus, 28-29
research, 36, 37
Sambacus pubens, 13, 68, 78
Sambucus racemosa, 39, 65, 68
Sambucus sieboldiana, 37
saponin, 64, 78
scrub, 57
seeds, 79
germination, 7-8
lectin content, 36
Seminole Indians, 7
senna, 33
Shasta Indians, 15-16
Shoshonne Indians, 7
skin see complexion
SNA III, 37
Snake Indians, 16
snakebite treatment, 60, 65
sorbet, 49
sore muscles, 57
sore throat, 13, 17, 30, 31, 52
soup, 46-47
species of elder, 2, 63
stewed elderberries, 48
stimulant, 22
stinkweed see Sambucus javanica
studies of elder
antiviral properties, 27-29
cleansing program, 34-35
properties, 36-37
swelling see inflammation
syrup, 13, 25-26, 31, 44
and children, 38
T
tapioca pudding, 48-49
teas, 13, 23-24, 30-31
in bath water, 56
black, 51
dwarf elder, 59
Thompson Indians, 7
tinctures, 13, 24
tonic, 22
toothache, 7
toxicity, 12, 78-80
bark, 14
red berries, 13, 64
travel lore, 74
tuberculosis, 30
tumors, 12
U
ungentum sambuci, 5-6
uvular inflammation, 17
V
vinegar, 45
viruses, 29
see also antiviral
vitamin A, 43
vitamin C, 13, 43
vomiting, 6, 14-15
see also emetic
vulnerary, 12, 22
see also burns;
hemorrhoids;
infam-mation;
wound healing
W
weight loss, 32, 35
wild indigo, 50
wine, 5, 6, 30, 52, 53-54
see also cordial
wood, elder
in bows and arrows, 7
in furniture, 72
for magic wands, 75
uses, 15-16
wound healing, 6, 12
wrinkles see complexion
Y
yarrow, 30, 50
yin-deficiency, 15
ylang ylang, 42
Yorock Indians, 16
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title: Elder : The Amazing Healing Benefits of Elder, the

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title: Elder : The Amazing Healing Benefits of Elder, the

cover next page >

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A Keats Good Herb Guide

Keats Publishing Inc. New Canaan, Connecticut

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Elder: Small Tree, Big Medicine 1

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Elder: Leaf, Berry and Blossom

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Elder: Small Tree, Big Medicine

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The Name Behind the Tree

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Elder's Rich History

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The Energetics of Elder

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Parts of the Elder Tree

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Elder: A Plant of Many Actions

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Preparations and Dosages

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Elderberry: an Antiviral Agent Par Excellence

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Using Elder Against Viruses

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Elderberry for Detoxification

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Modern Research on Elder Continues

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