Elder (Black)

The latin name for this lovely tree is Sambucca niger, which is where Sambuca, the fiery liqueur gets its name!

Cultivation

This tree or shrub likes full or partial sun and a moist loamy soil. It grows readily along sources of water, assuming that there is not too much flooding. Once established it is easy and generally problem-free and can promote the arrival of birds and insects to a garden. Across Europe and throughout Russia much folklore and superstition surrounded the elderberry. It was said to ward off evil and offer protection from witches. It was incorporated into wedding and funeral ceremonies. Branches were buried with the dead for protection against evil spirits. Traditionally, it was believed that the Calvary cross was made from Elder.

Parts Used

Dried flowers, fruit both fresh and dried and dried leaves.

Uses

The leaves have an unpleasant odour when bruised, which is supposed to be offensive to insects, and a decoction of the young leaves (two handfuls of leaves to a litre of water, boiled and strained) can be sprinkled over delicate plants to ward off aphid and caterpillar attacks. In Kent there are entire orchards of Elder trees cultivated solely for the sake of their fruit, which is sold for the purpose of making wine and cordial.

Medicinally, the primary use of Elder relates to relieving the symptoms of common colds and flu. The berry juice and the blossoms as a tea are used for respiratory infection, and for relieving asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. The flowers are used for hay fever, sinusitis with catarrhal inflammation because they act as a diaphoretic (increase perspiration) and reduce fever. The berry (wine, tea, juice), used warm, is for sore throats, influenza, and stops chills.

Elder photograph by Kpjas from flickr under a creative commons attribution license.