Elder

COMMON NAMES of Elder

• Bourtree
• Elder
• Elder-berry
• Elder-flower 
• European Elder 
• Pipe Tree 

The plant called  the elder is used to describe a bushy shrub like plant that can reach a few feet in height as shrub like forms normally do  or it may be referring to a tree reaching up to fifty feet in height - the elderberries which are borne on both types of plants range  and differ markedly in the shape  and taste. The flowers  are usually formed  in aromatic clusters of  many star-shaped  and white colored flowers, which can vary from bunches with flat-topped  to the globular types of arrangement. When ripened, these will mature  to produce berrylike and limb sagging fruits which can range in color from stark blue  to an amber, and even red to a complete black -  the variation in the taste of these elderberries is also markedly different. 

The long  and hollow stems which tend to be very straight were used by the early Native American tribes for making arrow shafts as such stems become woodier with age, such stems were particularly selected during the springtime, they were typically then left to dry with their  leaves still on them to be turned into arrows. The native tribes also  used the woody stems  for other purposes,  and they often took out the soft and poisonous pith within the stem using hot sticks, these were sometimes employed  as spouts to collect maple sap and the sap of other resinous trees. Such stems were often also bored with holes and fashioned into flutes for making music. One reason, the elder is often called the "tree of music" lies in its use in this role, even though its main uses was as an herbal medication.  The elder stems were also turned into animal bugles to pipe elk like sounds and some traditional native hunters still reliant on the old ways of tracking game  have often used the stem to bugle elk-thus the elderberry stem whistle  has often been employed to successfully lure a handsome elk buck during  a hunt.  The areas  in which the elderberry plant is likely to grow includes very rich  and moist soils, especially those soils found  in heavily forested areas,  the plant also grows well along the soils in rocky slopes, and often prefers soils in cool ravines which are heavy in moisture. The plant is considered a native inhabitant  of both hemispheres and grows mostly in the temperate and subtropical regions of the world. 

The elderberry is actually a drupe which is berrylike in appearance; the elder berry consists of three to five single seeded nut - lets or stones in the fruiting body. 

Traditionally, eating too many berries is believed to cause digestive problems and the traditional wisdom suggest that only a few berries can be eaten raw at any one time so as to avoid disrupting the stomach.  The taste of the elderberries is not remarkable  and the taste is better when they are taken along with other edible berries, raw  berries are not preferred by people and in general the berries  are much better  to eat in the dried or cooked form. The elderberries are used as  a decongestant  and in the treatment of some conditions which can induce the excessive accumulation of mucus within the lungs of the affected person. These include disorders such as the common asthma, problems such as bronchitis, the common cold, diseases such as influenza. In addition, phlegm production  is also induced by smoking or  the inhalation of second hand smoke.  The elimination of such accumulated yellow or green mucus from  the body  is aided by drinking some fresh  elderberry juice, particularly the juice  of the red drupes - this herbal remedy is excellent  in the removal  of excess mucus in the respiratory passages. 

PARTS USED 

Flowers, berries, bark. 

USES 

A variety of herbal medications are derived from different parts of the  elder plant, for example the mucous lining of the inner nose and throat is toned by a remedy made from the flowering tops of the plant. This treatment leads  to a better resistance from infection  in these areas of the body. The herbal remedy made from the flowering tops of the plant are used in the treatment of disorders  and complaints such  as chronic congestion in the respiratory tract, they are  used in the treatment of different types of allergies, they are used in the treatment of all kinds of ear  infections, in the treatment of fungal diseases such as candidiasis  and in the toning of mucous linings in the respiratory system. The flowering tops of the elder are also used in the preparation of herbal infusions along  with other beneficial herbs; these combination treatments can reduce the severity of allergenic reactions during hay fever when they are taken as  a precautionary measure some months prior to the onset  of hay fever season during a year. 

The detoxification  of the body is also achieved by taking the  herbal remedies made from the flowering tops of the elder flowers, this remedy promotes perspiration and the production of urine  in the affected individual, as a general remedy, the flowering tops of the elder aid the rapid elimination of metabolic waste products from the body - for this reason, arthritis  patients often receive great benefits by taking the remedy. 

Rheumatism and erysipelas - a type of skin infection - is also normally treated using the vitamin C rich  elder berries. The mildly laxative actions of the elderberries enable the body of the affected patients to overcome diarrhea and other stomach disorders. 

Disorders of the upper respiratory tract  and various infections in the area leading  to colds, problems such as tonsillitis, long term laryngitis and flu  can be treated effectively by drinking a hot infusion of the elderflowers. Elderflowers will stimulate the circulatory system and induce perspiration  in the individual and should be taken during the very first signs  of malaise, physical aches, soreness  in the throat, bodily chills, or the appearance of restlessness  and fever. The remedy made from the elderflower will induce detoxification  in the system and cleanse the body by rapid elimination of metabolic toxins out from the pores of the skin; the remedy resolves persistent fevers and infections  in this manner and does so in  a very rapid way. Elderflower infusion is also  used for the treatment of any type of eruptive diseases caused by viruses including the measles and chickenpox, the herbal remedy induces rapid rash formation and increases the speed of recovery from the disease. When taken  in the form of fresh infusion along with the infusion of the yarrow  and the peppermint herb, the elderflowers quickly reduce mucus formation and move phlegm out of the respiratory tract - thus, as a hot herbal infusion, they  are strongly decongestant and are very good  for the treatment of common colds, in the treatment of catarrh, in the treatment of sinusitis, and problems  such as bronchial congestion, various types of chest infections  and in the treatment of asthma -  the remedy speeds up the rate of recovery from all these illnesses. Catarrh and bronchospasm  are effectively relieved by the relaxing effect of the elderflowers and the remedy is  therefore ideal for asthma patients. 

Fluid retention in the body  is also treatable using the elderflowers which tend to promote the overall functional effectiveness of the kidneys and in this role, they can be seen as renal decongestants, which enable a quicker elimination and cleansing of all metabolic toxins in the body via the urinary system - they also transfer out excess heat in the renal system. Remedies made  from the elderflowers have also been utilized in the successful treatment of long term rheumatism, in the treatment of gout and in the treatment of arthritis. 

Traditionally, the relaxant quality of the elderflowers has a very long history of use in the herbal lore, it was used  for soothing and relaxing frayed nerves, the remedy was given to nervous individuals to allay and beat anxiety and it was used as a general tonic for the treatment of depression in individuals. A soothing and very restful sleep can be induced in a person by making him or her drink a hot infusion during the night,  this remedy  is particularly very useful and beneficial  in the treatment of restlessness or irritability in children during the earliest period of an apparent infection in the body. 

Topical remedies are also made using the elderflowers, and the herbal infusion or ointment form of the elderflowers  can be applied to various cuts and wounds on the skin, it can  be used in the treatment of chilblains, in healing skin eruptions  and cracks, in healing sunburn, and to decrease the irritability in sensitive skin - the elderflowers in ointment or infusion form can serve as a general herbal tonic for the affected individual. 

Fevers  are often "broken" by inducing heavy sweating in the patient following a drink of herbal elder flower tea. Chills in a feverish person are particularly suited  to being treated using the elderflower, in such treatments the herbal elder tea is drunk very hot and as soon immediately after it has been boiled. A sore throat is traditionally treated using a cup of cold elder infusion as a throat gargling solution. A mild diuretic action is also attributed to the flowers of the elder and the plant is used in this limited role as well. 

Diuretic as well as laxative abilities are also believed to  be possessed by the juice of the elderberries - this juice is prepared by initially cooking the  berries and then pressing the  cooked berries to let out the juice. 

Traditional healers in Europe usually treated disorders such as sciatica and neuralgia by giving the elderberry juice  to the affected patients. Elder flowers and the elder berry extracts are often included as ingredients in some kinds of multi ingredient herbal preparations  for the treatment of rheumatic pain in Europe. 

Other medical uses 

Wrinkles. 

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION 

The elder grows wild  in many European countries  and it is a native species of the European continent. The plant grows abundantly in all kinds of wooded areas, along hedges,  and also on waste or uncultivated grounds around the continent. Nowadays, many temperate regions  of the world also contain wild populations of the elder; the plant is also cultivated in many areas  these days. Spring time is the usual season when the cuttings of the elder  are sown  and the plant is propagated in areas where it is cultivated during this time. During late spring, harvesting of the flowering tops is carried out, on the other hand, autumn is the time when the elder berries are normally picked, sorted and stored or processed into different herbal preparations. 

RESEARCH

Generally speaking, the elder is a poorly researched plant, though the limited research conducted  on the different properties of the plant suggests that the elder flowers can bring about a reduction in inflammation on the human body. Though  not fully understood, one property of the elder namely its effective diaphoretic effect - an ability  to increase the perspiration in patients is quite well known. 

CONSTITUENTS

Elder contains volatile oil, flavonoids, mucilage, tannins, vitamins A, C, cyanogenic glycoside, viburnic acid, alkaloid. 

USUAL DOSAGE

Dosage for different herbal remedies made from the elder plat varies, however, the liquefied elderberry extract usually taken two  times daily at dosages of 5 ml for children and young adults, while the dose for adults is 10 ml - this dose is repeated throughout the duration of the treatment period. The herbal elder berry tea can be drunk thrice every  day of the treatment period, and this herbal tea is usually prepared using 3 -  5 grams of the dried flowers, this is normally boiled  in 250 ml  or a cup of water, and steeped in the water  for ten to fifteen minutes at a time, it must then be strained, cooled and used in the dosages indicated. 

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS 

There are no known adverse reactions to elderberry. 

HOW IT WORKS IN THE BODY 

Due to the presence  of the chemical compound called ursolic acid which has an anti-inflammatory action, the elderflower is recognized as an effective aid to reducing inflammation  in the body. Most of the beneficial actions attributed to the herb are with reference to the problems associated with the respiratory system, and the herb is used as a specific remedy  for the treatment of nasal catarrh besides other related problems associated with the nervous system. Hay fever  and other allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis can also be treated using  the remedies made from the elderflower; in general this herb is very effective against allergies of all kinds. The detoxification effect of the elderflower is also significant, and this is due  to the string diaphoretic effect possessed by the plant, that promotes the elimination of toxins through sweat. For this reason, the herb is of especial usefulness against common colds and the flu, during such conditions the herb can actively and effective bring about a reduction in elevated temperatures due  to the fever while also reducing excessive catarrh  at the same time. The herbal infusion is also used as a oral gargle for sore throats, the herb is also effective at relieving earache, arising as a result of accumulated mucous in the auditory canal. A mild diuretic effect is also evident in the herb and the elderflower can be used to treat disorders of the urinary system, its detoxification effect is also apparent in this region of the body where it promotes the rapid elimination of accumulated metabolic waste matter, people affected by arthritic conditions directly benefit from this property possessed by the herb. 

APPLICATIONS

Flowers:

INFUSION –  The elder flowers can be turned into an herbal infusion for use as  a treatment of different disorders. The infusion must be used hot during feverish disorders and during the treatment for accumulated mucous in the lungs or in the upper respiratory tract  of patients. The herbal infusion of elder flowers is also used in the treatment of allergic reactions such as hay fever in different patients during pollen season. Herbs such as the yarrow, the boneset, and the peppermint can also be combined  with the  elder flower infusion  and used as an herbal combination formula for various disorders in the respiratory system. 

TINCTURE –  The flowers of the elder can also be used to prepare an herbal floral tincture, which can be used against common colds and influenza in patients, this remedy is also useful against the symptoms of hay fever during the hay fever season early in the springtime of each year. 

CREAM –  The flowers of the elder are also prepared into an herbal cream, sores on the hand and chapped skin on the body and chilblains can be topically treated using this cream. 

EYEWASH –  The floral infusion  of the elder are also used in the preparation of an herbal eyewash,  for cleansing the eyes, these can be applied cold and strained to bring soothing relief to sore or inflamed eyes. 

MOUTHWASH/GARGLE –  The floral elder infusion can be used as a mouth wash or a gargle for the throat, it can be used to treat mouth ulcers and chronic problems like tonsillitis in patients. 

Berries:

SYRUP –  The elderberries are used  in the formulation of an herbal decoction, which can be  taken as a prophylactic tonic for the treatment  of winter colds, it can also be used for coughs when combined with other known expectorant herbs, like the thyme. 

TINCTURE –  The elderberries are often mixed with other herbs like the bog bean or the willow, to make an herbal combination tonic for the treatment of rheumatic conditions in patients. 

OLD-FASHIONED ELDERBERRY WINE 

• 16 cups (4 liters) water 
• 2 Ib (1 kg) elderberries 
• 1 oz (30 g) toasted bread 
• 1 T (15 g) wine yeast 
• 2 Ib (1 kg) brown sugar 
• 1 t (5 g) allspice 
• 5 cloves 
• 1 T (15 g) pieces of ginger 
• 1 earthenware or glass jar 

Crush the berries, place them in the water, add the spices  and gently boil for 30 minutes at low heat. Pour everything into the jar and add the toasted bread and the package of wine yeast. Store the container at 68 F degrees (20 C degrees) until fermentation  is complete (10  to 20 days). Then strain, bottle and store in  the cellar or  in a cool place for at least 2 months. Drink 1 oz (25ml) before meals. In the case of anemia, this  is an excellent stimulant and tonic for the immune system. 

ELDER-FLOWER CHAMPAGNE 

This, of course, is  not really a champagne, nor  is it alcoholic, but it is a refreshing  and deliciously fragrant drink to serve on a summer's day. Elder bushes grow wild in many places, so if  you do not  have one in your garden, take care where  you pick the flowers. Avoid picking those that have been growing by the roadside, and always wash them  before use. 

• 4 litres/1 gal water 
• 625g/1 1/4 lb caster sugar 
• 2 juicy lemons 
• 4 large elderflower heads 
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 

Boil the water, then stir  in the sugar until it has dissolved, and leave  to cool. Squeeze out  the juice from one lemon. Scrub the other lemon if it has been waxed, and cut into 4 pieces. Place the elderflowers  in a large, non-metallic container. Add the lemon juice, lemon segments, the sweetened water and the vinegar. Stir, cover  with a cloth, and leave for 24 hours. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve, squeezing the flowers to extract all the flavour. Pour into clean screw-top bottles, and leave for up to 10 days, until effervescent. Drink within 3-4 weeks.