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ELDER
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(Sambucus nigra) Top
Pick
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Other Names
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Alhuren, American Elder, Battree, Black Elder, Boure Tree, Common Elder,
Elderberry, Elhorn, Eldrum, Hylder, Lady Elhorn, Pipe Tree, Rob Elder, Sweet
Elder.
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Description
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Elder grows 10 - 30 feet tall deciduous tree native to
Europe. The bark is light brown near the bottom of the stem changing to a
grayish white color as you near the top.
It is covered with strong smelling leaves and white to
yellowish-white flowers that bloom from June through July, which then develop into a green
berry that turns shiny black once it is ripe.
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Classification
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Bark - Dry
Flowers/Berries - Dry.
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Taste
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Bark - Bitter
Flowers/Berries -Slightly sweet.
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Balance Yin/Yang
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Bark - Hot
Flowers/Berries - Hot
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Humor
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Uses/Applications
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Use the leaves for bruises, sprains, wounds, and
chilblains. Ointment made from the leaves is used for tumors. Use the flowers for
influenza, respiratory, hayfever, and sinusitis. Chew on a twig to relieve
a toothache.
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Flowers
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Cream
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Apply to chapped skin and sores on hands. It is also good for
chilblains.
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Eyewash
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Use the cold strained infusion for inflamed or sore
eyes.
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Gargle
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Use the infusion for mouth ulcers, sore throats, and
tonsillitis.
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Infusion
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Drink hot for feverish and mucous conditions of the lungs or respiratory tract
including hay fever.
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Tincture
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Take for colds and influenza or in early spring to reduce hay
fever.
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Berries
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Syrup
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Make the syrup from the decoction and take for winter colds or in combination
with other expectorant herbs.
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Tincture
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Use in combination with other herbs such as Bogbean or Willow for rheumatic
conditions.
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Combinations
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For colds and fever combine with Peppermint, Yarrow, or
Hyssop. For Influenza combine with Boneset.
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Constituents
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Flavonoids, Tannins, Essential Oil; Berries - Invert Sugar, Fruit Acids, Tannins,
Vitamin C & A, Anthrocyanic, Pigments, Traces of Essential Oils.
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Action
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Bark - Purgative, Emetic, Diuretic
Leaves - External:
Emollient, Vulnerary, Diuretic
Flowers - Diaphoretic, Anti-Catarrhal, Pectoral
Berries - Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Laxative.
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Food Values
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Vitamins C & A.
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Part Used
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Bark, Flowers, Berries, Leaves.
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Collection
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Collect the flowers in the spring, then dry rapidly in the
shade. Collect the bark and the berries in late summer or early
fall. Collect
the leaves throughout the season.
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Preparation
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Cold Extract
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Add 1 Tbsp. leaves to 1 cup cold water. Let stand for 10
hours. Take
as needed.
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Infusion
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Pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 Tsp. of dried herb. Infuse 10
minutes. Take
three times per day.
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Juice
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Boil the fresh berries in water for 3 minutes, then express the
juice. To
preserve, bring the juice to a boil with 1 part honey to 10 parts juice. Take 1 glass diluted with hot
water two times per day.
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Ointment
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Mix 3 parts fresh Elder leave with 6 parts of melted petroleum
jelly. Heat,
and stir until leaves are crisp, then strain and store.
Take 225 gr. fresh elder leaves, 60 gr. ground ivy, 120 gr. fresh wormwood - cut
small. Heat
in 1.8 kg. petroleum jelly until the leaves are crisp. Strain and press out ointment
for storage.
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Tincture
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Take 2 - 4 ml. three times per day.
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Growing Directions
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Visit your local nursery for growing information for your
area.
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History
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There is a wealth of folklore attached to this plant. It is often called “The
complete medical chest” because of its countless therapeutic. qualities. It is classed as both a hot and
dry herb. In
the 17th century it was a favorite remedy for clearing phlegm, both as an expectorant for coughs
and as a violent purgative. Elder Flower water was very popular in the 18th Century for removing
freckles.
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Additional Information
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1. In the days before imported fruit the berries were made into wine and
syrup.
2. The bark is rarely used today but was used in the past for stubborn
constipation and as an effective liver stimulant.
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Cautions
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1. Do not take any parts of the elder if the condition would be worsened by
further drying or fluid depletion.
2. Do not use the bark if you are pregnant as it is a very strong
purgative.
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Magick Information
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Gender:
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Feminine
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Planet:
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Venus
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Element:
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Water
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Deity:
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Holda, Venus.
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Powers:
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Healing, Protection.
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Magickal Uses:
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Wear Elder to ward off attackers. To keep evil away from your
home hang Elder in the windows.
Carry the berries to protect against evil and negative
energy. To bless someone or something scatter Elder to the four winds in the
name of the person, place, or thing.
Use Elder at your wedding to bring you good
luck. The branches make excellent flutes which you can then use to call
forth spirits with your music. Magicians use the wood in magick wands. Gypsies forbid the use of
Elder because they believe it is dangerous to burn.
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