Properties of parts used:
- Bark: purgative, emetic, diuretic.
- Leaves: Externally emollient and vulnerary, internally as purgative, expectorant, diuretic and diaphoretic.
- Flowers: Alterative, Diaphoretic, anti-catarrhal, anti-spasmodic.
- Berries: Diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative.
Personality & Indications:
The Elder tree is a medicine chest by itself! The leaves are used for bruises, sprains, wounds and chilblains. It has been reported that Elder leaves may be useful in an ointment on tumors. Elder Flowers are ideal for the treatment of colds and flu. They are indicated in any catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract such as hay fever and sinusitis. Catarrhal deafness responds well to Elder Flowers also. Elder Berries have similar properties to the Flowers with the addition of their usefulness in rheumatism and blood building strength, as well as, their nutritive quality high in antioxidants.
Extremely useful to ancient Europeans and Eclectics, this plant is used similarly as a mild diffusive, relaxing diaphoretic and had beneficial alterative properties which greatly assist those with a constitutional tendency toward frequent febrile reactions in the body. Elder is soothing to the nervous system, gently laxative, thus relaxing to the eliminative organs. Likely because of its usefulness with relaxing the GI and Nervous System, it is indicated for skin eruptions from metabolic disturbances, such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
Kings' Dispensatory describes the uses thus: "In warm infusion, Elder Flowers are diaphoretic &gently stimulant. Yet, in cold infusion they are diuretic, alterative & cooling, and may be used in all diseases requiring such action. The expressed juice of the berries evaporated to the consistence of syrup is a valuable aperient and alterative; l ounce of it will purge. An infusion of the young leaf-buds is likewise purgative, though sometimes acts with violence.
The flowers and expressed juice of the berries have been beneficially employed in scrofula, cutaneous diseases, syphilis, and rheumatism. The inner green bark is cathartic infused in the expressed juice, also in wine or cider. It will purge moderately, in doses of from l/2 to l fluid ounce; large doses produce emesis; in small ones, it proves an efficient de-obstruent, promoting all the fluid secretions."
Side effects/Contraindications: None known
Preparations & Dosage:
Infusion: 1 cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried or fresh blossoms and infuses for l0 minutes. Drink hot 3 times a day.
Juice: boil fresh berries in water for 2 to 3 minutes and then express the juice. To preserve, bring to the boil with l part honey to l0 parts of juice. Take l glass diluted with hot water twice a day.
Ointment: take 3 parts of fresh Elder Leaves and heat them with 6 parts of oil, until the leaves are wilty and saturated with oil. Strain, add 2 parts melted beeswax to harden oil infusion and store in airtight container.
Tincture: take 2-4ml of the tincture (made from the flowers or berries) three times a day.
Energetics: acrid, cool, bitter
Meridians/Organs effected: lungs, stomach, and liver
Combinations: For colds and especially with fevers, it is excellent used with Peppermint, Yarrow or Hyssop. For influenza combine it with Boneset. For catarrhal states and allergies mix it with Golden Rod.
Personal experience: This plant is a childhood favorite of mine, I spent many hours sitting in its limbs, amongst the faeries. As a medicine, I have used very successfully for flu and colds for the whole family. My daughter loves this medicine made into a syrup or tea. I’ve also used it as a mild laxative with feverish constipation. I have found it to be a gentle and effective purgative, getting the GI moving once cooled from a heat condition. I absolutely LOVE this generous and WISE medicine and plant spirit! Thanks Elder for all you are and share!
References:
(1) Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra
(2) The Herbal Handbook, David Hoffman
(3) The Earthwise Herbal, Matthew Wood
(4) http://www.healthy.net/scr/mmedica.
(5) http://www.swsbm.com, Eclectic Materia Medica
(6) http://www. henriettesherbal.com
