As we step into May the plant world around us is bursting into life, the hedgerows are full of Hawthorn blossoms, and this means the seasons Elder flower blossom isn’t far behind.
This is one of my favourite times of year, and elderflowers gentle healing and energy is one of my favourites to work with, and is always highly anticipated …
In this post I've included tips on elderflower foraging, its properties for health and healing AND a simple recipe for making elderflower cordial.
If you are here for the elderflower cordial recipe then just scroll to the bottom to find the recipe, but it's other medicinal uses are worth noting too as it's far more than just a nice summer beverage.
Elderflower can be found growing along hedgerows, country lanes and field boundaries, especially in damp places such as alongside ditches. It’s large tear-shaped leaves like slim fingers and it’s delicate creamy white flowers turn their faces to the sun… these flowers are flat-topped and grow in bunches of fragrant clusters of flowers, which can vary from a few sprigs to the size of a large dinner plate.
Also known as Sambucus nigra, Ellhorn, Eldrun, Hyldor, Witches’ tree, Pipe tree and many other names. Elder can grow up to 6ft tall, and has been used for centuries all of the World for it’s healing and medicinal properties.
The Spirit of Elderflower
Elder is the gentle grandmother of the plant world, and her delicate flowers are very representative of her nurturing and protective ways.
Elder is known as a shrub of protection, and both it’s flowers and berries act as protection for us against colds, flus and other illness.
Energetically the elderflowers in particular are gently nourishing and supportive, especially to the nervous system and in times of stress and grief. Because of Elders connection to death and rebirth, Elderflower is very helpful when things are coming to an end and a new beginning is needed.
Elderflower is here to energetically help open the psyche so that one can see things in a new and positive light, help us move through issues quickly, helping to speed emotional and psychic healing. Cool anger and ground the spirit. Assist in opening the heart in a protective way after a traumatic or abusive event.
An elderflower hydrosol or flower essance can act as a gateway and connection to the natural kingdom.
It’s also said connection to the fairy and the angelic realm is aided by using Elderflower when doing ceremonies, meditations, and protection.
Very supportive in times of transition and renowned for mental and emotional stress.
Elderflower Folklore
Elder is rooted in folklore, sacred to the Druids it was thought a tree of protection and it was seen as bad luck to cut down an Elder.
Flowering at the end of may Elderflowers mark the beginnings of warmer weather here in the uk, and their deep purple berries are some of the first berries to ripen at the end of August as we begin to shift into Autumn.
” ENGLISH SUMMER BEGINS WITH ELDER FLOWERS AND ENDS WITH ELDER BERRIES”
Elder was intimately connected with magic. Hylde-Moer, the elder-tree or earth mother, lived in the tree and watched over it. If an Elder chose to grow in your garden, it meant that the mother had chosen to protect you, and you must not cut it down (without permission) or burn it. It was also cultivated in gardens for the same reasons. It was powerful magic and powerful medicine.
The scent of the white elder flowers was said to poison anyone foolish enough to fall asleep beneath the tree. Sitting under, or more riskily sleeping under, an elder at midsummer was said to enable one to see the faeries, or even see them going to their midsummer feast. The danger then was of being transported into the Underworld and not being able to escape. Elder is certainly associated with a spirit being, or Queen who is a guardian of the Underworld, where faeries and spirits of the dead reside.
In earlier days, the Elder Tree was supposed to ward off evil influence and give protection from witches, a popular belief held in widely-distant countries. The Russians believe that Elder-trees drive away evil spirits, and the Bohemians go to it with a spell to take away fever. The Sicilians think that sticks of its wood will kill serpents and drive away robbers, and the Serbs introduce a stick of Elder into their wedding ceremonies to bring good luck.
In England it was thought that the Elder was never struck by lightning and trees would be planted next to houses to protect them from lightning,evil spirits,and promote fertility. A twig of it tied into three or four knots and carried in the pocket was a charm against rheumatism. A cross made of Elder and fastened to cowhouses and stables was supposed to keep all evil from the animals.
To pick your Elderflowers
Elderflowers are mostly simple to find, forage and use. As always bear in mind that you don’t want to pick all the flowers off one tree or in one area — it’s important to not just maintain the habitat for the local wildlife, and leave plenty of pollen for the bees, but also because those flowers will turn into berries as summer ends. If you pick all the flowers you will have no berries — sustainable foraging is SO important when we are working with and taking from nature!
Choose trees that are growing away from bust main roads or farmers’ fields to avoid contamination from car fumes, pollutants, and pesticides. For the same reasons you want to avoid picking anything below knee height to avoid any contaminates from dogs or other wild creatures.
You may choose to wear a gardening glove for this task, although it isn’t necessary, but will protect your hand from the abundance of elderflower pollen each flower carries - which can stain - as well as protect you from any stray brambles, nettles, or spines that may be around.
You can use scissors to pick your flowers but fingers work just as well. Simply pinch off the flower just below where it meets the stem so that you take the whole flat top in one piece.
Lightly shake the flower head to dislodge any bugs and creepy crawlies.
To make the Elderflower recipe below you will want to collect 20-25 flower heads.
Medicinal uses for Elderflowers
As previously mentioned much of the Elder is medicinal and can be used both internally and externally for treating a number of ailments and symptoms. The bark, leaves, flowers and berries are all useful in Elder, and all boast medicinal properties.
Elderflower has antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. As well as booting the immune system.
Add elderflower to a bath or infuse in oil and it can be used to massage the skin + face for treating symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, acne, dry irritated skin, and even soothe chickenpox and shingles. As well as cystitis.
Topically, elderflower could help to reduce pain and swelling in the joints, and arthritis symptoms.
Elderflower ointments, waters and lotions were once well known remedies for wounds (burns, scalds, chilblains) and for cosmetic use (as a water for eyes and skin). An infused oil made from the flowers is a wonderful moisturising ointment or skin oil for dry eczema and psoriasis.
Leaves can be used in ointments for bruising, sore muscles and chilblains. When applied topically, they appear to break down bruises and work as an anodyne or relaxant to relieve pain.
Elderflower as a tea is wonderful to reduce fevers. Make a hot infusion and allow to cool, strain it and dilute with water or another herbal tea such as chamomile, to calm and lower a fever. It encourages sweating, and thus heat loss, helping the body cope naturally with the fever and return to health – it promotes elimination via the skin and urinary tract, and supports the circulation.
Its cooling action also gives it a useful role in the menopause, for hot flushes. The cold infusion is also excellent for eye irritation, and all dry skin conditions – for example, in the bath.
As a hot tea it is a great remedy for mucous membrane problems from colds and sore throats, to hayfever and chronic catarrh.
Elderflowers other medicinal uses include helping to clear catarrh, ease sore throats, clear sinuses and sinusitis symptoms, and relieve constipation. It can also alleviate the symptoms of colds, flu, and viral infection. These are best treated by drinking the elderflower syrup diluted in water.
And finally; here is the elderflower cordial recipe as promised. I also enjoy simmering the cordial for a little longer to create a syrup-like consistency which is delicious for drizzling over fruits and yoogurts!
Elderflower cordial recipe
As well as the medicinal benefits already mentioned elderflower made into a cordial makes a lovely refreshing drink during the summer, or make with hot water as warming tea-like drink.
To make elderflower cordial you will need:
Ingredients
1 litre of water
8 table spoons of set honey (or 600grams of sugar if you prefer)
20-25 elderflower heads
3-4 lemons
Directions
1.To make the cordial add the water and honey/sugar to a pan and slowly bring to the boil until all of the honey/sugar has melted.
2.Wash the elderflowers to remove any bugs and dirt.
3.Once melted take the pan off the heat and add the elderflowers upside down, making sure the flowers are completely submerged.
4.Slice all but one of the lemons and add these to the pan. Cut the last lemon in half and squeeze the juice of the lemon into the pan.
5.Pop the lid back on to the pan and leave to infuse for 24hours.
6.After the 24 hours you are ready to strain the cordial. Place a sieve over a large bowl and cover the sieve with a muslin cloth. (If you don't have any muslin a good quality tea towel will do)
7.Pour the cordial through the muslin and then store in sterilised bottles or jars until ready to dilute.
Keep refridgerated to lengthen shelf life.
Here are a few of my suggestions for using your cordial other than just adding to water to drink
- mix with lemonade for a fizzy drink
-freeze in mold's to make refreshing lollies for summer
-add to water and freeze as ice cubes to add to drinks in the summer or an additional flavour to your wine and gin
- add to frosting when baking for a refreshing cake topping
-as mentioned before, you can also have elderflower cordial hot and a warming remedy for cold and flu.
Enjoy making and relaxing with your own batch of elderflower, and stay tuned for how to use elderberries too, once autumn arrives.
Emily xo
