We’re not just about Elderberries!
We’re not just about Elderberries!Benefits of Elderflowers
Summer is in full bloom and here on the farm we’re just beginning to see the first blossoms on the elder trees.
Elder trees are a familiar object in the English countryside and there’s a wealth of folklore and tradition surrounding this botanical wonder. We dipped into two well respected sources of traditional herbal wisdom (check those out below *) to learn more.
According to A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve, its benefits are many and varied, and include medicinal uses for the bark, leaves, flowers, and berries. Elderberries have long been prized for making homemade pies, wine, jams, jellies, syrups, and even vinegar.
The flowers are collected when in full bloom and then dried, to later be used in herbal preparations. The flowers were used by our predecessors for bronchial and pulmonary complaints, scarlet fever, measles, and other diseases.
The great herbalist, Henry Box of England, stated, “For colds, influenza, fevers, inflammation of the brain, pneumonia, inflammation of the stomach, bowels, or any other part, this is a certain cure…” Advanced Treatise in Herbology, Edward E. Shook, Trinity Center Press 1978
This is truly a miraculous plant, and that’s just the short list!
An infusion of the dried flowers, elder flower tea, is said to promote expectoration in pleurisy, is a gentle laxative, and excellent for inducing perspiration, which may help reduce fevers. Modern herbalists today use elderflowers for sinusitis, colds, influenza, bronchitis, diabetes, and constipation.
Herbal medicine is a fine art and it’s important to understand the finer points of herbal preparation before experimenting. Important Tip: If you decide to try making your own elder flower remedies, be aware that elderflowers are emetic and can sometimes cause nausea. They are best blended with peppermint in herbal formulas to counteract this effect.
We will be harvesting our elderflowers soon. We’ll also be sharing more with you about the many uses of the elder tree, from elderflower water to elderflower ointment.
Be sure to stay tuned!
* References:
Herbal Syllabus: Master Herbalist Guide, Dr. John R. Christopher
A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve (you can also find this book online at https://www.botanical.com)