Respect for our Elders

Few trees command as much respect or indeed invoke as much mystery and superstition as the elder. It is a magnificent tree, steeped in ancient tradition, and is viewed as sacred with many herbal, magical and culinary uses.

Ancient Folklore

In folklore, branches were thought to give protection from evil spirits if hung in doorways and having an elder in your garden, especially if self-seeded, was considered very fortunate indeed. Elder flowers were worn at Beltane as a symbol of witchcraft and if they were woven into Beltane headdresses they enabled the wearer to see spirits or undo evil. Wands were also said to be made of elder. The elder was often called the ‘Witches' Tree' as the village hedgewitch made use of its many medicinal properties.

For this reason, though, it later received much maligning from the Christian Church in an attempt to instil fear about the old ways. The elder tree itself was said to be evil, and it was also said that an evil spirit lived in it. There are still superstitions which say that elder should never be cut down or used to make furniture as the spirits inside the tree will also come into the house. Babies' cribs, in particular, should never be made of elder as Hylde Moer, the Elder Tree Mother, will pinch the baby black and blue and not allow it to sleep. And nobody appreciates a baby that doesn't sleep!

A more logical reason for not bringing elder into the house may be that the bark is a perfect haven for insects and also does not burn very well.

Folklore aside, there is much that can be learnt from the ancient ways about uses for the elder tree. There are a plethora of age-old cures that the elder provides - maybe this is why it has always been held in such respect.

Medicinal Uses

The elderberries can be made into a decongestant for coughs, colds and bronchitis. Simmer one part sugar to five parts elderberries to make a ‘rob'. If taken at night with a little water, it helps break up phlegm on the chest.

The leaves can be made into Oil of Swallows, which is a delightfully named ointment for cuts, bruises, sprains, chilblains etc. The original recipe mentioned Vaseline but as this is petroleum-based, I prefer to avoid it. A suitable alternative would be vegetable fat, or lard if you are so inclined. Heat three parts elder leaves with six parts of your chosen fat until the leaves are crisp. Strain and store in a sterilised jar.

An infusion of elder leaves helps ward off mosquitos and insects. It can be put in a spray bottle and used as needed.

A tea made of dried elder flowers is a tonic for hayfever and sinusitis; fresh flowers made into a tea help purify the blood.

Culinary Uses

When I think of the elder I think of the glorious tree at the side of our allotment that has the most amazing abundance of yellowy-white blooms every summer. Nothing signifies the start of summer quite like it. I have heard that these blooms make fantastic fritters if dipped in a light batter and fried, then sprinkled with icing sugar and dipped in honey.

I'm not overly proficient at cooking but I can, however, make elderflower cordial from these blooms. It is an old-fashioned drink that with a few adaptations can also be made into elderflower wine or champagne. However my teenogres love this cordial - it is the perfect summer drink.

First, a few things to remember:

• When taking food from the wild it is always important only to take what you need.
• When taking produce from a tree, ask its permission first. This may do more for your spiritual well-being than the tree's, but it is also nice to repay the favour, maybe by removing ivy from the branches or watering the tree.
• Only ever pick elderflowers in bright sunshine - if it is wet or cloudy you will get that 'cat urine' smell. Not pleasant.

Prize-Winning Elderflower Cordial

(Admittedly there were only two entries but this recipe still won me First Prize at the Temple Ewell Gardeners Summer show!)

30 large elderflower heads
2lb (900g) sugar
2 lemons (sliced)
1oz (25g) citric acid
4 pints (2.3 litres) boiling water

Shake the flower heads to release any small insects and cut off any excess stalk. Don't worry about the tiny stalks close to the flowers or you will be there all day. Put into a bowl with the sugar, lemons and citric acid and cover with the boiling water. Stir gently and then cover with a plate and leave for at least 24 hours, preferably 48, stirring once or twice. Then strain through a muslin bag (failing that an old pillow case works just as well). Pour into sterilised bottles and cork. Do not use a screw top as it sometimes ferments - with explosive results as my grandfather found out one night!! Store in a cool place and dilute to taste.

Variations: My mother-in-law uses 1 lemon and 1 orange in her (second-prize winning) recipe.

Hint: If you have a glut it freezes very well and can either be eaten frozen as sorbet or defrosted back into cordial. This defrosted cordial actually lasts longer as the natural yeast has been killed by the freezing process. If anything it tastes even better and... sshhh, don't tell anyone... but it was actually defrosted cordial that won the First Prize!!

Jo

elderflower photo (c) t2i - public-photo.net 2009

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