Description
Elder has a very long history of household use as a medicinal herb and is also much used by herbalists today. It is mainly the flowers that are used medicinally, and sometimes the berries too. Flower tea is said to relieve seasonal hayfever, and strenghten the immune system. It is astringent and gently stimulant. Flowers are expectorant and pectoral making them good for coughs and chest complaints. Makes an excellent spring tonic. The syrup or oxymel made from the berries are often given in times of cold and flu to help fight infection and ease symptoms.