Sambucus nigra, the name of the plant that produces Elder berries, is a large deciduous shrub that bears dark black berries. Elder hails from Europe, and also originates from southwest Asia and northwest Africa. Other common names for Sambucus nigra include Black Elder, European Elder, Common Elder, Black-berried European Elder, boor tree and German Elder. The small dark berries hang in clusters off the large shrub, and are attractive to birds who flock to the plants for late season food.
Humans eat the berries as well, and often serve them cooked in pies and jams, as well as in elderberry wine. A delicious syrup can be made by blending a decoction of elder berries with raw honey and taken tp support immunity and defense against seasonal infections.* The berries have also been used in times past as a dye or a flavoring. Bulk Elder Berries are commonly used for their antioxidant qualities, and are a good source of Vitamins A and C. In traditional medicine, the berries were used for their diuretic, astringent, and laxative properties.*
The elder is surrounded in European lore by a somewhat dark, magical, and very rich collection of stories and traditions. Elder is often associated with the underworld and is thought to be a doorway to that world. It is also associated with powerful underworld beings. This association was even incorporated into several of Hans Christian Anderson's tales.
Elder was also thought to be the special tree of the 'elder mother' who lived in its branches and exacted retribution on those who harvested elder without asking permission first.
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