It’s that time of year! Elderflowers

It's that time of year at last! Elderflowers are blooming. The elder, Sambucus nigra, is a European native and was considered to be a sacred tree by the Druids. It provided food and medicine (berry and flower), warmth (firewood) and shelter (tree). I am sure some people are less excited than I am when they find an elder appear on their property. I am so happy to have one, as you may imagine. It has self sown in the best place, in the back corner of our section.

The flowers are around for a few weeks but you need to pick them when the dew has gone and dry them so there is good airflow, to avoid mould. You want to pick them when they are creamy coloured as when they are brown-tipped they add eau de cat wee to your cup of tea.

What do I do when the flowers?
🌿I dry them to make teas from them, usually over winter
🌿I make elderflower cordial

What are elderflowers used for medicinally?
🌿They have an affinity for the lungs, so they may be helpful when someone has seasonal allergies or congestion from winter ills
🌿In a herbal blend, they add a pleasant taste to it. Many herbs I use are unpalatable so this is a blessing, believe me
🌿 Doctrine of Signatures would also indicate the lungs with the frothy flowers that resemble lungs tissue and the hollow stems referring to the bronchial tubes
🌿Elder is a herb I would generally say is safe for young children and they usually like the taste

Elderflowers, Sambucus nigra