Herbs - Elder

Elder, Berries

(also referred to as...)

Elder flower, Black elder, Common elder, Pipe tree

Latin Name: Sambucas Nigra

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Description

Considered one of the land's greatest medical chest, this entire plant from roots to berries has been used medicinally at some point, from the Anglo-Saxon to today's modern day herbalist. It's generic name Sambucas comes from the writings of Pliny and other ancient writers. It is derived from the Greek word Sambuca, the Sackbut, which is an ancient stringed musical instrument used among the Romans, made from the elder tree.

"What says my Aesculapius? My Galen? My heart of elder?"

-- William Shakespeare

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