145

Elder

Sambucus nigra

Bed: "At Sindal Old Rectory"

Toxicity:

Longevity: unknown

History

The elder was, from antiquity, a holy tree. In pagan times it was sacred to the goddess Freja. All parts of the tree have been used medically, flower and berries as a diuretic and a sudorfic, the leaves were used for gall bladder diseases, the root against dropsy and snake bite, and the bark was an effective laxative and emetic. In addition there were a long list of magical beliefs associated with the elder.