Due to the weather, the blossoms have bloomed a little later than usual, so they may continue to bloom until June.
The Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a small shrub with dark, deeply incised bark and a messy habit which prefers to grow under the canopies of larger trees or close to buildings. It is a very common tree and grows in abundance along the River The Byes from Sidford to Sidmouth. It seems to do equally well on the damp banks close to the River Sid as in dry shade.
In many areas, elder trees were planted near houses to protect against witches, or more prosaically, near outhouses and dairy farms for their ability to repel flies and insects. The next time you pass an elder tree, crush a leaf and smell it, and you'll see why. In many European countries, it was believed that each tree was protected by an Elder Mother, and cutting one down was extremely unlucky, so permission had to be obtained from the “old woman” first. Bringing an elder tree into the house was also considered unlucky.
Elder was also considered a medicine chest with all its parts (flowers, fruits, leaves, bark and roots) having a wide range of medicinal uses. Today, elderflower is known to most people as a delicious cordial, but medical herbalists still widely prescribe it to soothe catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and it is effective for sinusitis, hay fever and catarrhal hearing loss. A decoction or tincture (alcohol extract) made from a combination of elderflower, plantain and nettle leaves is an effective remedy for hay fever.
Elderflower is also known to have diaphoretic properties, meaning it dilates the capillaries on the skin's surface, promoting sweating and helping to reduce and clear fevers. A traditional remedy for the early stages of the flu was to pour a handful of dried elderflower and a handful of dried peppermint leaves into 1.5 pints of boiling water and let it steep for 30 minutes. Strain, sweeten and drink as hot as possible while lying in bed to promote restful sleep and sweating. Diaphoretic teas containing elderflower, yarrow and peppermint are still commonly prescribed to treat colds and flu in adults.
Some cultivated elderberry varieties are particularly prolific, and I plant several in my garden to help reduce pressure on the wild trees nearby and to provide a supply not only for drying but also for cordials, vinegars and fritters.
Canda Diacono is a qualified medical herbalist registered with the National Medical Herbalist Association. To learn more about herbal remedies for maintaining good health, please visit www.candadiacono.com.
Consult a medical professional if you have any medical concerns, and be 100% sure of the identity of any plant before ingesting it or applying it to the skin.
