Elder tree

There is hardly a tree on earth that offers as much as the elder. Used for centuries and steeped in legend, elder provides a host of amazing benefits as both medicine and food. Adorned with beautiful white blossoms and juicy blue-black berries, the elder tree is a beautiful addition to any landscape. 

In 1747, the elder tree was banned in Portugal in an attempt to prevent its being used as a wine adulterant, even though it was therapeutic and caused no harm. In 1899, an American soldier visited a doctor in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and informed him that whenever he got drunk on dark red cheap Czech port wine, his rheumatism pains would disappear for... 

The elder tree in its own right is hardy and rarely suffers from insects, pests or disease. Farmers have long considered it an ally indoors and out. 

It is said that the cross of Calvary was made of elder and that Judas hung himself from an elder tree. To Americans this may seem questionable, as our trees are smaller than the European elders. The legend adds, however, that elder trees once were much larger, but since the crucifixion, most varieties of elder grow no bigger than a shrub. 

Native American people have also recognized the feminine attributes in the elder tree. The Ogimauikwe call her "the headwoman s tree." It is suggested that one should visit her, perhaps bringing a gift of tobacco, and talk to her about what is bothering you. 

Hans Christian Anderson wrote a delightful story entitled, "Elder Tree Mother." In this story a young boy is told a tale about an elder tree in a teapot. Through the elder tree the boy visits the future and the past. The boy is not sure what part of the story has been real and what part a dream. When the story is over, the boy exclaims to his mother, "How beautiful it was Mother, I have been to warm countries." She replies, "I can quite believe it. When anyone drinks two full cups of elder flower tea, he may well get into warm countries."... 

During the Middle Ages, if a person was to set out on a long journey he would entrust his health and safety to an elder tree. If the tree flourished, so would the person. If it withered and died, so would the traveler. These trees were regarded as guardian trees. In Copenhagen, there is an old sailors section where many homes still have a protective elder tree. 

A Polish custom is to bury one s sins under the elder tree. 

Benefits Elderflowers have traditionally been used for colds and fevers as their main action is claimed to be to induce sweating and reduce temperature. Folklore Many old superstitions surround the elder. It was considered most unwise to cut down an elder tree without fust seeking permission of the elder mother spirit in the tree (Bown, 2003 British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983 Gruenwald et al., 2002 Hutchens, 1973 Shealy, 1998 Tierra, 1998). 

Beneficial medicinal qualities but considered evil and narcotic to hide transform self into a branch of an elder tree. Berries are poisonous they make fine amulets of protection. 

Elder tree Sambucus nigra) Herb-Robert geranium Geranium robertianum)... 

Elder tree leaves. See Elder (Sambucus nigra) tree leaves EldewCL-301. See... 

Sambunigrin (D-mandelonitrile glucoside) from the leaves of the elder tree—Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae)—is isomeric to prunasin. 

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