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Elder
- Nature’s Medicine Chest
Elders (Sambucus species) are tall shrubs in the Caprifoliaceae, or Honeysuckle family. Several species are native to North America and Europe, but the most commonly used among North American tribes is Sambucus canadensis, or the Black Elderberry. Bearing fragrant white flowers in dense clusters in June and July, the branches become heavy with purplish black berries by September. People living near wild stands of Elder use nearly all parts of this valuable plant as food and traditional medicine. From Eastern and Central Canada through Mexico, Elder is part of Native American cultures. The Cherokee and Delaware (Lenni Lenape) make a tea from the dried flowers to sweat out toxins in both children and adults*. The tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy used a ceremonial water of steeped Elder flowers and other herbs to soak corn seed before planting. Among tribes of the high plains, the Dakota, Omaha, and Ponca, make a pleasant summer beverage from fresh blossoms dipped in hot water. The Southeastern tribes use Elder as well. The plant is called "saúco blanco" or "tá:bó:ci" by the Miccosukee Seminole Indians. The Creek, who occupied the Southeast from what is now Georgia west to eastern Texas, call the plant "tcokiliba", and apply the pounded root of the Elder as a topical treatment for swollen breasts. The Houma Indians, from the region now called Mississippi and Louisiana, use the berries to make a tonic wine. The branches of Elder have a pithy center that can be removed in the spring to produce hollow tubes that are used as flutes and whistles, arrow shafts, skewers and toys. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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