Herb for Today: Elder by Doyle

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Scientic Name:

Sambucus canadensis

Family  Caprifoliaceae

Genus  Sambucus L.  (sam-BYOO-kus)

Species  Sambucus nigra L.

Subspecies Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis (L.) R. Bolli

The reason for the difference in the two scientic names is because some experts consider the Sambucus canadensis to be a subspecies of the European species Sambucus nigra and the two are, for most purposes, identical in their use both as food and magical.

Common Names:

American elder, Elderberry, Pipe weed, Ellhorn, Lady Elder, or Black Berried Elder.

Classification and Description:

It is a deciduous suckering shrub growing to 3 m or more tall. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, pinnate with five to nine leaflets, the leaflets around 10 cm long and 5 cm broad. In summer, it bears large (20-30 cm diameter) corymbs of white flowers above the foliage, the individual flowers 5-6 mm diameter, with five petals.  The fruit is a dark purple to black berry 3-5 mm diameter, produced in drooping clusters in the fall. The berries and flowers are edible, but other parts of the plant are poisonous, containing toxic calcium oxalate crystals.

Area:

USA (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY), USA+ (PR, VI), CAN (MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC)

Habitat - Open woods, thickets, waste ground, disturbed sites, fence rows, roadsides, railroads.

Uses:

The stems of the plant can be easily hollowed and used for blow guns, whistles, flutes and pipes. A simple infusion of the fresh leaf can be used as an insecticide in the garden and to repel insects from the face and body.  It can also be poured down mouse and mole holes. 

Food:

The flowers can be made into wine, they are also used in jams, jellies, and elderflower fritters.  The berries can also be used for jellies and pies and for making Elderberrie Wine.

Medicinal:

In Chinese medicine, the leaves, stems, and roots are used to treat fractures and muscle spasms.  The flowers treat colds, sore throats, hayfever, and arthritis, and act as a mild laxative.  The berries are said to coughs, colic, diarrhea, sore throats, asthma, and flu.  The leaves are added to salves for skin conditions, The flowers are infused for fevers, eruptive skin conditions such as measles, and severe bronchial and lung problems.  A classic flu remedy is a mixture of elderflower, yarrow, and peppermint teas.  Use two teaspoons of the herbs per cup of water, steep for twenty minutes, and take up to three cups a day.  The flowers promote sweating so keep patient well covered.

Bark and Root: Diuretic, Emetic, and Purgative

Leaves and shoots: Diuretic

Flowers: Diaphoretic

Fruit: Aperient

Magick / Folklore:

Elder wands can be used to drive out evil spirits or thought forms. Music on panpipes or flutes made of elder have the same power as the wands. A Dryad "Elder Mother" is said to live in the tree; she will haunt anyone who cuts down her wood. Stand or sleep under an elder on Midsummer Eve to see the King of the Faeries and his retinue pass by. The flowers are used in wish-fulfillment spells. The leaves , flowers, and berries are strewn on a person, place or thing to bless it. The wood is NOT to be burned as it is sacred to Hecate. Flowers are used for altar offerings. Hung over doorways and windows, it keeps evil from the house. Carry Elder to preserve against the temptation to commit adultery. 

Use for: Money; Riches; Love; Blessings; Banishing; Releasing; Consecration; Cursing; Purification; Cleansing. 

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Element: Water

Celtic Gods: Lugh, Dagda, Diancecht, Nuada

Celtic Goddess: Airmid, Banba, Etain, Macha, Druantia, Aine

Notes:

Elderberries have more vitamin C per unit weight than oranges or tomatoes.

Sources:

http://www.floridata.com/ref/s/samb_can.cfm

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SANIC4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus_canadensis

http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Herbs/def-herbs.html

http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs,Trees&Fungi/Trees/Elder/Factshee...