Elderflower

Elderflower is such a pretty flower, at this time of year there are elders flowering everywhere it seems. When I go for a drive in the country my eyes are drawn to them. Elderflower comes from the same tree that gives us elderberries in autumn, Sambucus nigra. Many gardeners get annoyed with the birds dropping seeds everywhere but I think seedlings are easy enough to pull out if they grow in an unwanted place.

Since ancient times, elder has been a revered plant. It gives us food, medicine, shelter and firewood. It is native to Europe and may grow up to 6m tall. The flowers are flat, lacy, creamy unbels that have a sweet smell when it’s time to pick them. They are harvested as they open. If they are past that time, they smell like cat wee. In Canterbury, it’s a blessing to know that these deciduous trees are frost hardy. They may need some water in drought conditions.

The flowers are known for making a delicious cordial, champagne, fritters and other yummy things. Of course, sugar is used as a preservative for the cordial (along with citric acid) but all the same it makes a delicious refreshing treat. In cosmetics, many companies now have it added to creams and lotions, particularly eye creams.

Medicinally, I use it as tincture or tea and elderflower is wonderful support for ills and chills. I particularly like YEP tea, equal parts of dried elderflower, yarrow and peppermint, when I’m blocked up.

Elderflowers have actions of diaphoretic (to encourage sweating) and anticatarrhal (to support blocked sinuses and nasal passages), diuretic and anti-inflammatory. In a laboratory, they have been shown to have potential as an anti-viral. They are also rich in minerals, particularly potassium.

Elderflower, Sambucus nigra