Page 44 - Winter2020

Beginning in far beyond its wood, however. Other parts about the elder. So numerous were the condi-
the 1960s, were used to make dyes, salves and skin care tions that the elder could treat that the number
products, and—similar to tobacco—the leaves, of medicinal uses easily surpassed the number
the elder roots and other plant materials were made into of practical applications for which the plant was
experienced an important and all-natural pesticide. justly famous around the world.
Historically, the elder’s medicinal proper-
The elder was one of the earliest perma-
a brief eclipse culture plants, used extensively in landscap- ties were found in every plant part, includ-
in the U.S., ing, land design and improvement, living ing the pith, buds, leaves and roots. In the
when the fences, screens and for 1300s, however, Conrad
motto of many other purposes. Its von Megenberg brought
shallow but extensive root
the immune-supporting
“better living system, along with its properties of the berries
through love of water, made it a to center stage and also

chemistry” perfect plant to establish wrote the first (but not the
last) book completely de-
on the roadsides to handle
took hold of water runoff and stabilize voted to this single plant.
the American embankments. Its dense, Indeed, these immune-

consciousness. hedgelike growth also al- boosting characteristics
lowed people to keep ani-
were so noteworthy that
mals in—and unwanted the famous children’s au-
guests and ruffians out. thor Hans Christian An-
Of course, the elder derson—who gave us the
also produces edible flow- stories of the “Ugly Duck-
ers and berries. In former ling” and the “Emperor’s
times, people consumed New Clothes”—penned
both of these plant parts in an entire tale about the
a range of ways that would be mind-boggling to elder called “The Elder Tree Mother.”
modern eaters: in fritters, cordials, wines, other Beginning in the 1960s, the elder experi-
beverages, syrups, salads and soups. The elder enced a brief eclipse in the U.S., when the motto
was also a featured ingredient in pies, jellies, of “better living through chemistry” took hold
honeys and tinctures. There are even recipes for of the American consciousness. For a time, this
traditional ketchup (which began as a fermented paradigm saw the elder, along with so many
fish sauce) that include the elderberry! other traditional foods and remedies, relegated
to second fiddle and then forgotten. However, as
ELDER MEDICINE the problems with pharmaceutical approaches
While the elder’s practical importance was have multiplied—and more and more studies
deeply entrenched across all of Europe and have documented the superior solutions known
much of the rest of the world, its medicinal prop- to our ancestors—the elder is poised to make a
erties (and alleged ability to deter vampires!) tremendous comeback.
were what elevated its stature above almost all
other plants in history. For three thousand years, ELDERBERRY RESEARCH
every famous herbalist and physician talked The elderberry is nutrient-rich, containing

BEWARE ELDERBERRY ADULTERATION

There are least two reasons to take great care when purchasing elderberry products. First, manufacturers and many
14
others are raising the alarm about a dramatic increase in elderberry adulteration. The exploding demand for elderberry
products over the past decade has caused the cost of both conventional and organic elderberries to soar; in response,
adulteration is becoming more widespread. A second problem is that of plant misidentification. In just the last two years,
I have seen over a dozen people selling “elderberry” products made from other plants. Thus the elderberry market’s
rapid growth has created some risks for consumers.
42 Wise Traditions WINTER 2020