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Elder - Sambucus nigra

  Botanical Name Sambucus nigra (common to europe) or sambucus canadensis (common to america and more shrub like than tree) Elder’s botanical name Sambucus is from the Greek musical instrument the sambuke, made from the hollow stems of elder wood.   Family Adoxaceae  Commonly known as moschatel family.   Common Name Elder, black elder, blue elderberry, bore tree, bourtree, common elder, elderberry, elkhorn, sweet elder. The name elder comes from the Anglo-Saxon word aeld, which means fire, as young elder branches were used to stoke fires by blowing through the hollow stems.   Parts Used The flowers: dried for tea, extracted in tincture, made into wine, syrups, cordials, fritters, champagne and jelly. The berries: dried for tea, extracted in tincture, made into syrups, wines, cordials,...

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