Did you know that the elderberry dates back over 9000 years?!
When I read that in a book I just picked up, The Elderberry Book written by John Moody I was surprised that this mighty little berry has been used by ancient civilizations for thousands of years!
I was surprised to learn that from Russia to Romania and from Sicily to Scotland elder leaves were traditionally pinned on the outside of doors to ward off evil spirits. Crazy little berries!
Elder-trees were also known to provide protection dating back to a folklore about an ancient vegetation Goddess. The berries on the elder were seen as her blessings and the bark of the elder were seen as her body. The elder-tree was honored throughout history all over Europe.
"Elder was described as natures medicine by Hippocrates and has been used for any ailment from toothaches to the plague"
According to ancient historical information, in Serbia twigs from the elder-tree were given to newlyweds on their wedding day for good luck. It is said that if you received a twig of an elder-tree on your wedding day you would be married for at least a year!
There is even a history showing Native Americans, specifically Cherokee used elder-tree to make a medicinal tea to help with body aches and ailments. Elder has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal solution but it has also been used in a variety of other fun ways.
Did you know that elder-trees make wonderful hedge plants?!
Or that you can make some pretty sturdy working tools out of the bark and twigs from the elder-tree...
They have also been used as insect repellent and the berries as a natural purple dye! Elder-flowers have been used in cosmetics and in cooking!
Today elderberries are most commonly used to make an elixir of sort...the elderberry syrup! The syrup is used to help your immune system be at its strongest and to fight colds/flus naturally with a little bit of natures medicine!
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