Elder herb and Elder medicine

Elder grows worldwide throughout temperate climates. Its common name is probably derived from the Anglo Saxon 'Ellaern' or 'Aeld', which mean 'fire' or 'kindle', because the hollow stems were once used for getting fires going. The generic name, Sambucus, dates from ancient Greek times and may originally have referred to sambuke, a kind of harp made of elderwood. Pipes were made from its branches too, possibly the original Pan pipes. People thought that if you put it on the fire you would see the Devil. They believed it unlucky to make cradle rockers out of it, that the spirit of the tree might harm the child. Again, farmers were unwilling to use an elder switch to drive cattle and one folktale had it that elder would only grow where blood had been shed. Planting it outside the back door was a sure way of protecting against evil, black magic, and keeping witches out of the house, which would never be struck by lightning. It was thought that Christ's cross was made of elder wood.

Species

Sambucus Canadensis

American elder

Also known as Black Elder, Common Elder, Rob Elder, Sweet Elder. Deciduous hardy perennial. Ht 1.5-3.6m (5-12ft). Numerous small white flowers in flat cymes throughout summer. Berries are dark purple in early autumn; its leaves long, sharply toothed and bright green.

Caution: All parts of the fresh plant can poison. Children have even been poisoned by chewing or sucking the bark. Once cooked, however, flowers and berries are safe. Some Native American tribes use a tea made from the root-bark for headaches, mucous congestion, and to promote labor in childbirth.

Sambucus canadensis 'Aurea'

Deciduous hardy perennial. Ht and spread 4m (12ft). Creamy white flowers in summer, red fruits in early autumn. Large golden yellow leaves.

Sambucus ebulus

Dwarf Elder

Also known as Blood Elder, Danewort, Wild Elder, Walewort. Deciduous hardy perennial. Ht 60-120cm (2-4ft), spread lm (3ft). White flowers with pink tips in summer. Black berries in early autumn. Its green leaves are oblong, lance-shaped, and toothed around the edges. Dwarf elder grows in small clusters in Europe and in Eastern and Central States of America.

Sambucus nigra

Common elder

Also known as European Elder, Black Elder, Bore Tree. Deciduous hardy perennial. Ht 20-23ft (6-7m), spread 4.5m (15ft). Spreading branches bear flat heads of small, star-shaped, creamy-white flowers in late spring and early summer. These are followed in early autumn by drooping branches of purplish-black juicy berries. The flowers and berries are used in industry for cosmetics, jams, jellies and liqueurs. The leaves are purgative and should not be taken internally; decoctions have an insecticidal effect. The wood from the adult plant is highly prized by j craftsmen.

Sambucus nigra 'Aurea'

Golden elder

Deciduous shrub. Ht and spread 6m (20ft). Flattened heads of fragrant, star-shaped, creamy-white flowers from early to midsummer. Black fruits in early autumn. Golden yellow, oval, sharply toothed leaves in groups of usually 5.

Sambucus racemosa

Red elder

Deciduous hardy perennial. Ht and spread 3-4m (10- 13ft). Brown bark and pale brown pith. Flowers arranged in dense terminal panicles of yellowish cream. 'Racemosa' refers to the flower clusters. The fruits are also distinct in being red in drooping clusters. It rarely fruits freely. Red berried elder is native to central and southern Europe. It has naturalized in Scotland, the northern US and Canada. The fully ripe fruits are used medicinally. Bitter tasting, they may be used fresh or dried, and are high in vitamin C, essential oil, sugar and pectins. Fruits are a laxative and the leaves are a diuretic. This is the most edible and tasty of the elders.

Caution: The seeds inside the berries are poisonous before being cooked.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Sow ripe berries 2cm (1 in) deep in a pot outdoors. Plant seedlings in semi-shade in the garden when large enough to handle.

Cuttings

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer from the new growth. Use the peat, grit mix of compost and winter these cuttings in a cold frame or cold greenhouse. When rooted, either pot on or plant out into a prepared site 30cm (12 in) apart. Take hardwood cuttings of bare shoots in autumn and replant in the garden 30cm (12in) apart. The following autumn lift and replant. Cold frame or cold greenhouse. When rooted, either pot on or plant out into a prepared site 30cm (12 in) apart. Take hardwood cuttings of bare shoots in autumn and replant in the garden 30cm (12in) apart. The following autumn lift and replant.

Pests and Diseases

Rarely suffers from pests or diseases.

Maintenance

Spring: Prune back golden and variegated elders.

Summer: Take semi-ripe cuttings.

Autumn: Take hardwood cuttings. Prune back hard.

Winter: Established plants do not need protection.

Garden cultivation

Elder tolerates most soils and S. nigra is very good for chalky sites. They all prefer a sunny position. Elder grows very rapidly indeed and self-sows freely to produce new shoots 120cm (4ft) long in one season. It is short-lived. It is important to dominate elder otherwise it will dominate your garden. Cut back in late autumn, unless it is gold or variegated, when it should be pruned in early spring before growth begins.

Harvest

Handle flower heads carefully to prevent bruising, spread out to dry with heads down on a fine net without touching one another. Pick the fruits in autumn, as they ripen, when they become shiny and violet.

Container growing

Golden varieties of elder can look good in containers, as long as the containers are large enough and positioned to give the plants some shade, to stop the leaves scorching. Use a soil-based compost. Keep well watered, feed with a liquid fertilizer.

Culinary

Elderflower cordial

Pick flowers on a dry sunny day, as the yeast is mainly in the pollen.

4.5 liters/1 gallon of water

700g/1½ lb sugar

Juice and thinly peeled rind of 1 lemon

30ml/2 tablespoons of cider or wine vinegar

12 elder/lower heads

Bring the water to the boil and pour into a sterilized container. Add the sugar, stirring until dissolved. When cool add the lemon juice and the rind, vinegar and elder flowers. Cover with several layers of muslin and leave for 24 hours. Filter through muslin into strong glass bottles. This drink is ready after 2 weeks. Serve chilled.

Other uses

Elderflower water whitens and softens the skin, removes freckles. The fruits make a lavender or violet dye when combined with alum.

Medicinal

Elder flowers reduce bronchial and upper respirator) catarrh and are used in the treatment of hay fever. Externally a cold infusion of the flowers may be used as an eye wash for conjunctivitis and as a compress for chilblains. A gargle made from elderflower infusion or elderflower vinegar alleviates tonsillitis and sore throats. Elder flowers have a mild laxative action and in Europe have a reputation for treating rheumatism and gout. The berries are a mild laxative and sweat inducing. 'Elderberry Rob' is traditionally made by simmering the berries and thickening with sugar as a winter cordial for coughs and colds.

Elderberry conserve (For neuralgia and migraine)

500g/1 lb elderberries

500g/1 lb sugar

Boil the elderberries with the least quantity of water to produce a pulp. Pass through a sieve and simmer the juice gently to remove most of the water. Add the sugar and stir constantly until the consistency of a conserve is produced. Pour into a suitable container. Take 2 tablespoons as required.