Elderberry
The Elder Tree: A Story of Healing & Myth
The elder tree is one of the most mythically rich and beloved plants in Western herbalism. For thousands of years, people believed it held both protective and magical qualities. In many cultures, cutting an elder without permission was considered bad luck — a reminder that this was no ordinary tree, but a living being watched over by spirit and tradition.
The Elder Mother
In Northern European folklore, the elder tree is said to be protected by the Elder Mother (Hylde Moer), a guardian spirit associated with boundaries, healing, and transformation. Those who wished to gather berries, flowers, or wood were expected to ask her permission first. This wasn’t superstition — it was a practice of reciprocity and respect, acknowledging that we are in relationship with the plants we harvest from.
A Tree of Protection
Across old folk traditions, the elder tree served as a powerful ward:
Elder branches were hung above doors to keep harm and illness away.
Poles of elder were planted near barns to watch over livestock.
Berries and blossoms were made into tonics and brews that supported vitality through the darker months.
To many, elder was a threshold tree — one that stood between the living world, the ancestors, and the unseen. It marked places of transition and supported those moving through their own cycles of change.
Elderberries: History, Nourishment & Traditional Use
Elderberries are among nature’s most potent and nutrient-rich berries. Antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and full of vitamins and minerals, they’ve been cherished for generations as a source of nourishment and seasonal support.
Long before elderberry syrup became a modern staple, these deep purple berries were essential across Europe, North America, and many Indigenous cultures. They were relied upon during cold months, times of transition, or periods of increased stress.
A Brief History
The elder tree — Sambucus nigra in Europe and Sambucus canadensis in North America — has been part of human life for thousands of years. Historically:
Ancient Europeans made wines, syrups, and tonics from elderberries for winter vitality.
Indigenous and early American communities used the berries in teas, jams, syrups, and cooked dishes.
Traditional herbalists viewed elderberries as supportive, comforting, and strengthening during changing seasons.
Every culture used elderberries differently, but all agreed on one thing: this was a berry of resilience.
Nutritional Richness
Elderberries contain:
Vitamin C & A
Anthocyanins (the deep purple antioxidant pigments)
Flavonoids
Potassium, iron, copper
Dietary fiber
Before refrigeration or supplements, elderberry preparations were simple, potent ways to nourish the body through winter.
Traditional Preparations
1. Syrups & Tonics
The most enduring preparation. Families simmered berries with spices and preserved them with honey or sugar, keeping syrup on hand during fall and winter.
2. Preserves
Elderberries were cooked into jam, jelly, pie fillings, or “elderberry butter” to store large harvests.
3. Elderberry Wine
A rich, warming drink in Europe, valued as a “tonic wine.”
4. Teas & Decoctions
Dried berries simmered into dark, comforting teas often paired with spices.
5. Culinary Uses
Elderberries were used in sauces, chutneys, baked goods, vinegar infusions, fermented beverages, and even as natural dye.
Modern-Day Appreciation (Non-medical)
Today, elderberries are still loved for:
Seasonal nourishment
High antioxidant content
Gentle daily support
Digestive-friendly fiber
Overall vitality and resilience
Why Syrups Work So Well
Syrups remain one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to use elderberries because:
Simmering releases their beneficial compounds
Honey preserves and adds soothing qualities
Spices like ginger, cinnamon, and clove enhance their tradition
The flavor makes daily use easy
Your recipe — with echinacea, ginger, cinnamon, clove, licorice root, astragalus, and rose-infused wild honey — reflects the lineage of herbalists who pair nutrient-rich berries with supportive herbs for a balanced seasonal tonic.
A Symbol of Cycles & Renewal
Elder accompanies us through the seasons:
It flowers early in spring
Its berries ripen as summer turns to fall
Its hollow stems symbolize emptiness ready to be filled
It is a plant of beginnings, endings, and everything in between.
Elderflowers: Fragrance, Lightness & Gentle Support
While elderberries offer deep nourishment, elderflowers bring a lighter, more uplifting quality. These delicate, star-like blossoms have their own long history of use.
Elderflowers are:
A mucous membrane tonic for the upper respiratory system
Decongesting, with an affinity for the lungs
Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
Traditionally used in feverish conditions to support temperature regulation
Known to encourage perspiration, helping the body release heat and waste
Used as a skin-supportive wash to strengthen and tone the tissues beneath the skin
Their aroma and flavor have made them popular in teas, cordials, wines, and culinary creations throughout Europe.
A Living Lineage
Elder is more than a berry or a flower — it is a story-filled companion plant with deep roots in European, Celtic, Scandinavian, and Indigenous traditions. Working with elder places you in a long line of healers, gatherers, and caretakers who honored this tree as a protector, a provider, and a wise old grandmother of the hedgerows.