The Elder Tree

Ancient Folk medicine with solid scientific support

Sep 06, 2024

The Queen of Trees by Sarri of Moon Rose Arts

For more than a thousand years, Herbalists have revered the Elder tree for its medicinal properties. No other tree is as steeped in folklore in ancient Europe than the Elder tree. It is seen as the Mother Elder, The Queen of Trees, or the Goddess Tree, and is the 13th tree in the Celtic Tree Calendar (November 25 to December 21st)

“An old superstition surrounds the Elder Tree that not even a branch could be cut from it without the permission of the spirit that dwelled within, for that would bring ill-luck upon that poor soul. Even poorer was the soul that would fall asleep under the shade of this tree, as they may not awaken into the realm of the living.”

In ancient folklore, the Elder tree is associated with death and transformation. In ancient graves its symbology was carved, and seeds and branches were found. The young trees were planted on graves—when they bloomed, it was thought this meant the soul of the deceased had found peace. Throughout ancient and medieval history it was also seen as a protective tree, one that would ward off evil spirits, protecting both the living and the dead.

The spirit of the Elder tree was powerful and its wood was never to be used as firewood, or even carved up, since this could conjure ghosts. If cut for specific uses, careful gifts and thanks were given to the Elder spirit first, so the wood used would be powerful, not cursed. Any Harry Potter fans need an Elder Wand? Cut it carefully…

In modern times, these beliefs and superstitions have mostly fallen by the wayside. Instead we take the scientific viewpoint and understand that the elderflowers and elderberries have medicinal properties that protect and help us recover from pathogens, and that constituents of the leaves and the bark have purgative qualities that can be toxic in large doses.

Growing and Harvesting the Elder Tree

There are two varieties of the Elder tree used for medicinal purposes: European Elder (Sambucus Nigra) and American Elder (Sambucus Canadensis). There are also several cultivars of Elder trees, which are bred for ornamental flowers, berries, and leaf colours. The medicinal value of the cultivars is unknown and some of them have bright red berries, which are contain high concentrations of toxic compounds. For medicinal or food use, it is best to only use an Elder tree that you know is either Sambucus Nigra or Sambucus Canadensis.

American Elder grows wild in North America, is hardy in zones 3-8, and grows to be about 10-12 feet tall. European Elder is a full tree, growing to 20 ft, and is hardy in zones 4-8.

Elder trees—or bushes, depending on the variety—are easily grown in a yard, and if you plant the tree yourself, you’ll know that you’re getting the correct cultivar for medicinal use. Two trees should be planted within 60 feet of each other, to ensure proper pollination so you get the maximum amount of berries. They will produce fruit in the second or third year. Elder trees have shallow root systems, and shouldn’t be tilled around, and they produce the best flowers and fruit in full sun.

Elder trees can be started from seeds (the most difficult way to grow them), root, or branch cuttings. In my post on Willow, I mentioned the rooting hormone that willow contains. If you cut a branch from an Elder tree (don’t forget to leave your gift and your thanks), and soak it in willow water, it will root quickly and can be planted in a pot, and later outdoors.

In the wild, Elder trees are found in sunny meadows, along forest edges and creek banks. As you can probably guess from their habitat of creek banks, and their shallow root system, Elders need water, about an inch a week, so if you’ve planted them in your yard, be sure to water during any dry seasons.

Benefits of Elderflowers and Elderberries

In ancient times, all parts of the Elder tree were used, the leaves and the bark were used as purgatives; to induce vomiting and purge the body of toxins. The leaves were also used topically, often mixed with plantain or comfrey as a salve for bruises and sprains. In modern times we view the constituents of the leaves and bark that cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as toxic and warn against using them.

There are two parts of the Elder Tree that are used medicinally and while each of them have some similar affects on our health and well-being, they also each have their own specific uses: Elderflowers and Elderberries.

Elderflowers

Elderflowers have been used as a remedy for skin since Egyptian times. They are said to soften and rejuvenate the skin, and they have a broad spectrum of UV protection, combined with high photostability and antioxidant properties1 that make them a beneficial ingredient in many skin products.

Elderflowers combined with sassafrass is used as a remedy for clearing skin of acne.
Elderflower oil and ointment is helpful for burns, cuts, scratches and abrasions.
Elderflower oil in olive oil is helpful for chapped hands.

For the upper respiratory system, elderflowers tone the mucous linings of the nose and throat, increasing their resistance to infection. They are often used for chronic congestion, allergies, ear infections and candidiases.

As I mentioned in last months post about preparing for the flu season, Elderflowers are also very effective in supporting a healthy fever process2. It has been commonly assumed for many years that fevers are “bad” and need to be quickly lowered with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, however we now know that fevers are an important and beneficial part of the immune system response (within reason). Elderflowers are used during the fever stage where a patient feels restless and hot but isn’t sweating. The Elderflowers help by dilating the capillaries close to the skin, to let the heat out of the body. Using Elderflowers doesn’t artificially lower the temperature of a fever but brings relief during this hot and restless stage.

Elderberries

The raw berries are considered inedible, and only processed berries are used medicinally. Cooking or drying destroys the toxic and terrible smelling compounds in Elderberries.

Elderberries are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and iron. They have high concentrations of lignans and flavanoids, two important plant compounds for health and well being.

Lignans and Flavanoids are both part of a group of Antioxidants called Polyphenols. This is an important constituent of plants that you want to sit up and take notice of when you see a food that is high in it. Polyphenols are plant compounds that protect our cells—our mitochondria actually—from the harmful affects of radiation. As our sun is in a peak season of solar storms, and we also have more electronic and wireless gadgets than we ever have, including wifi, the environment we live in has a higher level of radiation than it has in known history. Polyphenols help to protect our bodies, at the DNA level, from this radiation. The Flavanoids are what give berries like Elderberries their deep, rich colour, and Lignans are found in many plants, especially whole grains and beans, and have a wide variety of health benefits.

Elderberries are particularly high in antioxidants, which reduce inflammation dramatically and strengthen the immune system. The antioxidants that elderberries contain; a polyphenol called anthocyanins move through our bodies like dedicated cleaning crew, removing free radicals - the result of oxidative stress - from our cells.

Polyphenols, including anthocyanins act by scavenging for the ROS [reactive oxygen species—or free radicals] liberated from the immune cells, preventing the self-destruction of immune cells, while also inducing antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidant polyphenols help to restore the reactivity of the immune response, impaired by the excessive generation of ROS.3

Elderberries are most famous for their ability to shorten the duration of a flu4 and are one of the best antivirals we have in herbal medicine. The berries have been shown to prevent the spread of H1N1 by blocking the virus from entering a host cell in vitro.5

Warning

The leaves, stems, and bark of the Elder tree contain poisonous cyanide-producing glycosides (especially when fresh), which cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The seeds also contain toxins that are most concentrated in the red-fruits. Generally speaking red elderberries are considered toxic and blue-purple elderberries safe for use.

Remember that some viruses stimulate the immune system to attack its own body, such as Avian flu. While there is no conclusive evidence that Elderberries over-stimulate the immune system, in these situations, it is better to be on the safe side and use an antiviral that does not also stimulate the immune system, such as Oregano oil.

How to use Elderberries and Elderflowers

Elderflowers are used in an infusion (a tea where the ingredients are steeped, not boiled), for internal use, such as for breaking a fever (equal parts elderflower, peppermint, and yarrow is the traditional remedy for this). As mentioned above, elderflowers can also be soaked in olive oil in different combinations for healing the skin.

Elderberries are usually used in one of 3 ways: As a tincture, in a syrup or oxymel, or made into wine. The wine is not as common anymore, however it has very high antioxidant effects on the body.

Personally, I like making elderberries into a tincture. It is easy to make, extremely versatile, and the alcohol of the tincture makes the constituents of the elderberries easily digested. I can then combine the elderberry tincture with other antiviral tinctures if I really need the remedy to pack a punch, or mix it with a honey syrup for children.

Elderberries can also be boiled into a syrup, like you would make any syrup or jelly (without adding the pectin) but for medicinal use, this isn’t ideal. Elderberry syrup will still have many benefits for us, but by boiling for 20-30 minutes with high heat the antioxidant compounds are being slowly destroyed, and it is well known that processed sugar depresses the immune system—another point in favor of the tincture instead of the syrup.

Herbalism is a human response to plants, and this response ever dwells alive and well within each of us… relate to the learning of making herbal medicine like the way you might relate to creating art.

—James Green, Herbalist