Dosages and Applications of Elder

There are many ways to use and apply Elder when sick of hurt. One of the simplest ways is drinking Elder teas of infusions made from the dried berries or fresh and/or dried blooms. An infusion is pretty much the same thing as tea. You put 1 tablespoon dried herb or 3 tablespoons of fresh herb in one cup of boiling water, cover, and steep for about 10 minutes. This method preserves the vitamins and volatile oils. I would drink 1 cup 3 to 4 times a day if ill.

Decoctions of Elder are more potent and made from the dried roots and bark by adding 1 ounce of herb to 1 1/2 pints of distilled water. Bring this to a boil, turn down heat and low simmer for 10 minutes, turn off heat, and let steep for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. This pulls out the mineral salts and bitter principles of the herb. Strain and drink as above. This can be low simmered to half the amount and used a wash, rub, or a fomentation.

A fomentation is used by dipping a natural, white cloth in the decoction, wringing it out, and applying it as hot as can be stood, to the problem. This can be wrapped in plastic, covered with a towel to hold in the heat, and then the person can go to bed. An alternate way is to dip the cloth in the fomentation, wring it out, and apply as hot as can stand, let cool, and reapply another hot cloth until cool, etc. This is done until relief is obtained.

Tinctures of Elder berries and blooms are made by putting the dried herb in 50% vodka and 50% distilled water, letting this sit for 2 weeks, shaking a few times a day, then straining and storing in a cool, dark place. This procedure pulls the biochmical constituents from the plant into the solution and preserves the medicine that has been made. Tinctures keep for many years. I would take 10 to 15 drops of this 3 times a day.

Powdered berries and flowers can be put into gelatine caps and taken 2 capsules 3 times a day.

Vinegars are made from the Elder flowers the same as tinctures only apple cider vinegar with mother is used instead of vodka. I would take 1 teaspoon 3 to 4 times a day.

Conserves are made from the Elder berries by whipping them up with sugar of honey and rolling little balls of the mixture in another powered herb or powered Elder berries to hold them together like candies. I would take one when my throat felt sore or I felt like I needed too.

Poultices can be made from the fresh or dried Elder leaves. Poultices heal, soothe, regenerate tissue, increase circulation, warm and relax muscles, and draw toxins. Fresh leaves can be mashed up until juicy or add a little water to the dried leaves to make them soft and pliable. Apply this mass of herbs to the affected area and wrap with a natural, white cloth or gauze to keep it in place. This can be left on overnight and replaced with a fresh one every mourning until there is relief.

Oils and salves can be rubbed in as often as needed.

Elder syrups can be taken 3 or 4 teaspoons 3 to 4 times a day but I've taken as much as 3 tablespoons 3 times a day when I was really ill.