The elder bush/ tree is found in fields, hedgerows, woods, by ditches and river banks, on waste ground and in parks.
Elder has rough light grey bark and is easy to recognise especially when in flower or fruiting, its large fragrant, cream coloured, flat flower heads are picked in May and are used to make delicious elderflower wines and cordials.
The berries that follow in the autumn also make a delicious wine, both the flowers and berries are used in natural medicine.
How To Gather And Store Elderberries
Harvest the berries in September when ripe and dark purple, remove from the berries from their stalks and freeze or dry.
Organic Dried Elderberries For Home Remedies
Elderberry Benefits
Elderberry Benefits: Elderberries are a mild laxative and contain beta carotene, folic acid, and vitamins A and C. Elder flowers have tannins, potassium and flavanoids, and have anti inflammatory properties.
Both the elderflower and the elderberry are used for treating many of the same ailments, such as colds, flu, sore throats and sore gums.
Elderberry throat syrup: place 2 cups of elderberries in a pan, add just enough boiling water to cover them, bring to a boil and simmer until berries soften, remember to top up the water to avoid burning them. When soft add a cup of sugar, and simmer whilst stirring to dissolve the sugar. Take off the heat after about ten minutes, strain and decant into a clean jar. This syrup can be kept in the fridge for up to five days, take a spoonful of this three times a day.
Elderberry hair tint for dark hair: Put two cups of berries in a pan, add one and a half pints of water and a tablespoon of cider vinegar, bring to the boil and simmer until berries are soft. Leave to cool for a while, then strain. After you have washed your hair, pour the elderberry mixture over it and leave to dry.
In France, fruit farmers stored their crop of pears in elder flowers, the beautiful fragrance of the elder flowers would permeate the pears and give them an almost magical taste!
It was thought that an elder tree planted outside the house, repelled lightning and protected inhabitants from witchcraft!
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