The elder tree in my garden is covered in delicate white flowers, which normally bloom at this time of year - the end of May and the start of June.Elders are associated with witches in English folklore. According to some legends, witches can take the form of this tree and if one growing in the garden of a witch is cut, its owner will bleed.
Now, I know for a fact that isn't true, as I suffered no ill effects at all after I asked a fit young man to prune the elder growing by my back fence earlier this year. However, I strongly agree with suggestions that burning an elder tree without permission will bring bad luck on the wrongdoer.
In Russia, by contrast, elder trees are grown near houses in the belief that they ward off witches. This surprises me, because the flowers and fruit of the elder have plenty of medicinal and culinary uses. I would have thought they would have attracted any wiseman or woman who wanted to brew delicious elderflower or elderberry wine.
Elderflower wine is a traditional English drink, but you can also make a refreshing cordial from elderflowers. Here is a good recipe: http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/516164 Alternatively, you can make elderflower tea by steeping washed petals in boiling water.
Elderflowers also have a reputation for their antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory properties, useful on cuts, grazes and sprains. In a tea, they are drunk against colds and allergies such as hayfever. Larger amounts can cause sweating, which could be useful to treat some conditions. Elderberries are more widely used than the flowers, but both are used by herbalists for a variety of conditions.
The King's 1898 Dispensatory states:
"In warm infusion, elder flowers are diaphoretic and gently stimulant; in cold infusion, they are diuretic, alternative, and cooling, and may be used in all diseases requiring such action, as in hepatic derangements of children, erysipelas, erysipelatous diseases, etc. In infusion,with maidenhair and beech-drops, they will be found very valuable in all erysipelatous [febrile skin inflammation] diseases."Bruised elder leaves can also be used as an insect repellent. You could place bowls of bruised leaves around the home, particularly at open windows, or make a spray by boiling the leaves in water and putting the liquid into a suitable container.
According to some accounts, elder flowers and berries are mildly poisonous unless heated and can cause stomach upsets, so cook them or make an infusion using boiling water before using them.
Note: This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical herbalist before taking any herbal remedy.
For more information:
www.selfsufficientish.com/elder.htm
www.electroherbalism.com/Naturopathy/Therapies/Supplements/Herbs/FavoriteHerbs.htm
www.sussexherbalist.co.uk/content/view/11/21/
www.traditionalherbalist.com/Articles/elder.html
www.greenchronicle.com/recipes/elderflower_sparkle.htm
www.gaias-garden.co.uk/Herbs/HerbalTeas.html
www.cottagesmallholder.com/?p=340
www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/brewing/fetch-recipe.php?rid=elderflower-wine
www.burfordhopsandvines.co.uk/index.php?contentkey=38
5 comments:
It's always fascinating how many uses we can find from just one tree. It's also sad that we seem to be losing this knowledge. I'm in the process of brushing up on my own tree knowledge.
Let me know if there are any books you can recommend on tree knowledge.
Thanks for the link.
You have an interesting site. Thank you.
I'm talking really basic "knowledge," such as how to identify an oak from a beech, their bark, seeds, leaves etc. Hey, it's a starting point, especially for this city-raised boy. Peterson First Guides has a nice, small book to help the beginner.
I'm a city girl myself and some years ago I bought Collins Gem Trees Photoguide for a similar reason. It was small enough to carry around in my pocket to help me identify the trees I saw when out and about.
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