A Herbal Journey: Elder, American

Elder, American
(Sambucus canadensis) Ripe fruit: G
All other parts X

Folk Names: Alhuren, Battree, Boure Tree, Bour Tree, Eldrum, Ellhorn, Frau Holle (German), Hildemoer (Gernam),
Hollunder (German), Hylder, Lady Elder, Sureau (French), Sweet Elder, Tree of Doom, Yakori Bengeskro (Romany-Devil's Eye)

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Deities: Holda, Venus
Powers: Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Prosperity, Sleep
Ritual Uses: The elder was used in burial rites in ancient British long barrows. It is sacred to many Mother Goddess figures, due to its white flowers. Witches and spirits were thought to live within the elder; this was why it 'bled' red sap when cut. Before felling an elder the following fomula was recited:

"Lady Ellhorn, give me of thy wood,

And I will give thee of mine, ]

When I become a tree."

This is a recited kneeling before the tree, prior to making the first cut, and allows the Witch or spirit within the tree time to vacate.

Magical Uses: If worn, elder wards off attackers of every kind. Hung over doorways and windows it keeps evil from the house. It also has the power to force an evil magician to release any enchantments or spells they may have cast against you. The berries, when carried, protect against evil and negativity. Grown in the garden, elder protects the househo9ld against the ravages of sorcery, and shields it from lightning.

To bless a person, place, or thing, scatter the leaves and berries of the elder to the four winds in the name of the person or object to be blessed. Then scatter some more elder over the person or object itself, and it is done.

To lose a fever, poke an elder twig into the ground while keeping completely silent. Toothaches may be alleviated by chewing on an elder twig, and then placing it into the wall while saying:

"Depart thou evil spirit!"

Toothaches were once thought to be caused by evil spirits.

To prevent rheumatism, tie the twig of eder into three or four knots and carry in the pocket.

Warts can be cured by rubbing them with a green elder twig and then burying it to rot in the mud.

Grown near the home, the elder give prosperity to the household, and then sticks placed about the house protect against robbers and snakes.

Elder is used at weddings to bring good luck to the couple, and pregnant women kiss the tree for good fortune for the coming baby.

Place elderberries beneath your pillow if you have difficulty sleeping. They'll allow you to slumber peacefully.

Carry elder to preserve you against the temptation to commit adultery. Make flutes from the branches and call forth the spirits with thier music. Best done at midnight in a deserted place far from the haunts of humans.

Many think it dangerous to burn elder wood, and some Gypsies strictly forbade its use as a firewood. However, magicians have used its wood in fashioning magic wands for centuries.

[From: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs]

Elderberry Bush/Tree

LATIN NAME:

Sambucus nigra

The Elderberry tree is also known as Elder, Black elder, European elder, German elder, Common elder, Elder flower, Bore tree, and Pipe tree.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Elderberry tree is a deciduous small tree that can grow to thirty feet in height. It bears large oval shaped leaves and large, creamy white heads of small, sweet-smelling flowers. The flowers are followed by purplish-blue berries in autumn.

For centuries people have found that the benefits of Elderberry are found in each and every part of the plant. It is used for making tea, cordials, wines, jams, jellies, chutneys, fruit tarts, ice cream, and fritters. Elderberry juice is a wonderful tonic and cleanser for the glandular and reproductive system.

The Elderberry tree is native to Europe, Asia, North Africa and the eastern United States.

Compounds in Elderberry (use extract) have shown Elderberry benefits include protection against eight strains of human influenza virus, while the flue shot only protects against one or two, at the most three. Elderberry is one of the most effective herbs for preventing and treating upper respiratory tract infection and stimulates the immune system to work against viruses such as herpes simplex and HIV.

Here are some more benefits of Elderberry trees.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* asthma
* bronchitis
* colds
* influenza
* upper respiratory tract infections
* feverish conditions
* sinusitis
* an immune system stimulate
* allergies
* congestion
* ear infection
* throat infection
* constipation

Apply externally for:

* bruises
* sprains
* wounds
* inflamed skin
* arthritis
* rheumatism

PREPARATION:

The Elderberry tree is available in tincture, lotion, capsule, homeopathic tablet, extract, and bulk herb.
It can be used as an infusion, juice, ointment, compress, and poultice.

Parts used: Flowers, berries, bark, leaves

Collection: Flowers are collected in spring and early summer, the bark and berries are best collected in late summer and early Fall.

Constituents: Flowers - flavonoids, hydro cyanic glycoside sambunigrine, tannins, essential oil Berries - invert sugar, fruit acids, vitamin C and P, tannin, anthrocyanic pigments, traces of essential oil

Actions: Bark - purgative, emetic, diuretic Leaves - (externally) emollient, vulnerary; (internally) purgative, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic Flowers - diaphoretic, anti-catarrhal, pectoral, anti-inflammatory, antiviral Berries - diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, tonic

Combinations: Elderberry can be combined with Peppermint, Yarrow or Hyssop for colds and fever. Elderberry can be combined with Boneset for influenza. Elderberry can be combined with Golden Rod for catarrhal states.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

* Elderberry (Elder) should not be used during pregnancy.

* Uncooked Elderberries can cause nausea and vomiting.

* Elderberry juice in large dosages can cause uncontrollable diarrhea.

* The stems of the Elderberry plant should be avoided. They are toxic because of their cyanide content.

Elderberry Herbal Bath:

The essence of the Elderberry plant is not extracted, but it exhibit’s a musky-foxy scent that will help to ease congestion from the head, ears, and chest.

For a relaxing evening bath: Infuse 5 fresh Elder flower heads or 3 Elderflower teabags in 11/4-2 cups of whole milk for a few hours, then add the milk to a drawn bath. The flower heads will look beautiful flowing in the water. Elderflower teabags are also good for refreshing tired eyes.
[From:
http://www.natural-herbal-remedies.net/elderberry-tree.html ]

And from
http://www.paghat.com/elderberrymyths.html

Myths & Legends of Black Elderberry