In folklore, the elder tree was believed to be inhabited by spirits and was often referred to as the "Queen of the Woods" or the "Elder Mother. The tree was thought to possess protective properties.
Elderberry has long been considered a cure-all. In 400BC Hippocrates referred to the shrub as his “medicine chest”, it has since been used globally to fight viral and bacterial infections, especially cold and flu symptoms.
Humour: Phlegmatic
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Quality: Warm and dry in the first degree, cleanses phlegm and choler, strengthens the expulsive virtue
Organs: Heart, head, stomach, lungs, kidneys, joints, womb, eyes, skin.
Constituents:
Bioflavonoids, anthocyanins, quercetin, phenolic acids, tannin, carotenoids, rutin, magnesium, vitamins A, B, and C.