Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae)

ELDER, BLACK ELDER, PIPE TREE

The flowers, leaves, berries, and bark of elder all have herbal uses. For example, the flowers relieve symptoms of colds and flu. In Chinese medicine, uses include leg swelling and bone pain.

Elder is a symbol of sorrow and death because of historical reference to its being the wood from which the crucifixion cross was made and the type of tree from which Judas hanged himself. Elder is also associated with magic throughout Europe; it is thought that burning the wood brings all manner of bad luck, but that sprigs hung in houses ward off evil witches. So numerous are its folk medicinal uses, that it is called the peoples' medicine chest. A native of Europe and north Africa, where it is common in hedgerows and woods, it is a perennial shrub or small tree with leaves of broad serrated leaflets and clusters of small cream flowers that have a strong and sweet perfume. Spring flowering is followed by the production of clusters of succulent, deep-purple to black berries.

PARTS USED

Flowers, leaves, berries, bark.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Triterpenes, including ursolic acid; fixed oil; flavonoids, including rutin and quercitin; tannins.

ACTIONS

Circulatory stimulant; astringent; induces sweating; expectorant; prevents catarrh; anti-inflammatory; increases urine production.

MEDICINAL USE

The flowers and berries are given to control the fever, dry the streaming nose, and remove catarrh from the lungs in colds and flu. The leaves and bark are used as a mouthwash and are applied externally to heal minor burns. In Chinese medicine, elder is prescribed for bone pain, swelling of the legs, muscular spasms, and traumatic injuries.

PREPARATIONS

Infusion, decoction, tincture, mouthwash.