Medicinal and magical properties of some plants. Black elderberry magical properties
. Elderberry in mythopoetic representations different nations belongs to the group of generally dubious Plants associated with misfortune, death, evil spirits, and creatures of the chthonic type. In some versions of Christian tradition, Judas hanged himself on an elderberry, which is why it had such a specific smell. Other sources say that he hanged himself on an aspen tree; at the same time, some Christian authors call it the tree of the crucifixion. In Ireland, witches were believed to use elderberry twigs as horses. Sending is associated with the elderberry bad dreams, sometimes divinations (cf. the mythologized image of the elderberry in “The Golden Pot” by E. T. A. Hoffmann). At the same time, among the Prussians, elderberry is a sacred tree. They live under it Pushkites and the gnomes in his service - barzduki And marcopoli . According to ancient Greek myths, Prometheus carried away the fire he had stolen from Olympus in a hollow elderberry stalk. In the Middle Ages, the image of the elderberry was shrouded in mystery.
The bead was associated with witchcraft and magic. In order to protect oneself from evil spirits, on Walpurgis Night it was customary to pin elderberry branches to clothes.
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In magic, elderberry is dedicated to the goddess Venus. Element - air. There are also Greek sources that mention a dryad - the Mother of the Elderberry, who lives only in the elderberry and watches over it.
Elderberry has strong protective qualities, so it is recommended to carry dried leaves and berries with you in a special bag to ward off the evil eye. Elder branches were hung in the house and barn to ward off evil spirits. Elderberry could also be placed in the grave if the dead person was suspected of vampirism. It was believed that this would protect the living from the ghoul. The flowers of this plant were considered more early remedy from vampires than Elderberry is a magical tree. A witch simply needs elderberry - for amulets, for a broom, for making potions and simply for demonstrating her culinary delights.
Several types of elderberry are known: red, Canadian, Kamchatka, black, etc. Three species can grow in central Russia: red (scientific name cystic or ordinary), herbaceous and black.
Black elderberry is a branched shrub or small tree from 3 to 7 m tall, with a characteristically unpleasant-smelling light bark and a loose core. The leaves are opposite, compound, with 5 serrate leaflets. The flowers are bisexual, small, yellowish, in large corymbose inflorescences. The fruits are spherical black drupes on long stalks and contain blood-black juice. Flower tea is used for colds, as well as a blood purifier for unclean skin and unpleasant smell bodies. Side effect: the flowers are not dangerous at all. Leaves and bark - can sometimes cause stomach and intestinal irritation. Unripe fruits are slightly poisonous. Fresh Juice in its raw form causes vomiting and diarrhea, just like the fruit. On the contrary, like jam, they are very good for health, as they contain vitamins and valuable minerals. In order for the processed black elderberry products to be tasty, you must add citric acid, or use sour fruits and berries (apples, gooseberries). Black elderberry juice and berries have a strong analgesic effect.
Red elderberry is a shrub 1.5 – 3 m in height. The leaves are compound, with 5 opposite ovate-lanceolate leaflets. The flowers are small, bisexual, with 5 greenish-yellow petals, in dense ovoid panicles. The fruits are drupes, small, shiny, red: juice is obtained from them. It has an unpleasant odor that repels flies, so it is traditionally planted near cesspools, compost heaps, and toilets. The leaves and flowers are an insecticidal agent against leaf-eating and sucking pests; in addition, mice do not like this plant. Elderberry (red) berries can be used to wash your hands.
Elderberry is a bushy perennial up to 1.5 m tall, with a powerful horizontal rhizome, poisonous, the rhizome is used as a diaphoretic, diuretic and laxative. Fresh berries dark purple in color are poisonous because they contain a large number of hydrocyanic acid. A strong unpleasant odor is used to repel insects, rodents, pests such as kidney mites, and butterflies. That’s why maybe they planted it near barns, or because at least They didn’t really uproot it if it grew like a weed in the gardens.
Elderberry grows in the undergrowth of coniferous and sometimes mixed forests, on their edges and in thickets of other shrubs or small trees. The main condition for the wide distribution of elderberry is fertility, moisture and richness of the soil.
Elderberry flowers are collected in the initial period of its flowering, when the corollas have not yet fallen off (June-July). Flowers and berries are collected on the growing Lena, from sunrise to noon. Inflorescences or branches should never be torn off; it is better to cut the flowers with a knife. When collecting elderflowers, the most important thing is to send them to dry as quickly as possible, since they become damp and spoil very quickly. Dry the collected flowers in well-ventilated, shaded rooms or places. The dried flowers are then separated from other parts of the plant. The collected raw materials are also stored in well-ventilated, dark rooms, as they deteriorate very quickly from moisture.
Common Name: Devil's Eye, Maiden Sambuca, Trumpet Tree, Sweet Elder, Tree of Destiny, Old Lady
Aura: cold
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities: Venus
Plant parts used: leaves, berries, flowers
Main properties: purification, love, exorcism
It should be remembered that elderberry not only protects from evil forces, evil spirits live in it, so you need to be more careful with it. It is believed that this is why the elderberry “bleeds” if its branches are cut. And before cutting it down, they recite the following spell: Lady Elderberry, give me your wood. I'll give you mine when I become a tree myself.
There is a legend that the cross on which Christ was crucified was made of elderberry, and also that it was on an elderberry that the traitor Judas hanged himself. The Slavs believed that under the elderberry, in its roots, as well as in the tree itself, there lived a spirit, a demonic creature, a devil. Therefore, elderberries are never dug up by the roots - nothing will ever grow in the place where the elderberry was dug up. Among the Hutsuls, places where elderberry grows are considered unclean. The Serbs believed that the elderberry bush was the home of the Veela, so whoever cut it down would face death or paralysis. Sometimes cripples or mentally ill people were hired for this purpose.
The elderberry bush is the habitat of household spirits, guardians of the household. That's why it so often grows near residential buildings, stalls and barns. Under the elderberry, conspiracies were pronounced against misfortune, to gain strength and courage, to get rid of any misfortune, so that the court would not condemn. IN folk medicine in the treatment of certain diseases (consumption, fever, toothache) they were transferred to elderberry. They buried a tangle under the elderberry tree, poured water under it, in which they bathed the sick child, and tied the bush with threads from the patient’s clothes. The Slovenes buried a child's cropped hair under an elderberry to protect him from headaches, and the Slovaks bathed children in a decoction of elderflower flowers to ensure their health. To a healthy person You can’t sleep under an elderberry, but the mother took a sick child under a flowering elderberry bush and left him there, while she returned home and did three jobs, while remaining silent. Water was poured through the elderberry branches, which was then given to the sick. Among the southern Slavs, elderberry was used for bites from snakes, scorpions and wasps, as well as in veterinary medicine.
In Northern Europe, elderberry branches were used as a talisman against evil spirits. They were hung above the door of the house on the eve of St. George's Day and on the night of Ivan Kupala. By picking elderberry branches or berries, people apologize to the tree. Lusatians used elderberry branches to protect a woman in labor and a newborn, while the Slovaks washed the place where the deceased lay with elderberry decoction. As a plant associated with the lower world, elderberry was sometimes planted on graves and was also used to make rain. Among the Czechs and Slovenes, girls used elderberries to tell fortunes about marriage. It was believed that on Kupala night one could see one’s betrothed in an elderberry bush.
“I learned my love for herbs from early childhood, from my grandfather’s creaky wooden house, under the window of which a black elderberry grew. Village magicians consider the black elderberry to be an evil tree; sleeping under it leads to madness and mental disorders. If you hit an animal or person with an elderberry branch, it can be damaged. Grandfather talked about this. But he loved his elderberry and took care of it. Now I know that the black elder was a guardian tree.”
Elderberry is often mentioned in connection with the customs and morals of fairies, magical people. It is very useful for birds, which feed on its berries in winter, and fairies are known to love birds. The berries can be burned as an offering for fairies, or homemade elderberry wine can be made. Whoever drinks elderberry wine will be able to see the fairies, and if it is a glass from which the fairies themselves drank before, then the ability to see will remain forever. You can’t break or cut an elderberry without asking; you need to ask the tree in special words: “Old lady, give me your tree, and I’ll give you mine when I have it.” It was also forbidden to burn elderberries in the fireplace, so as not to invite misfortune, and to make a cradle out of it for a child, so that the fairies would not pinch him at night.
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The Elderberry plant is a shrub or small tree that belongs to the honeysuckle family. The maximum height is 10 meters. It grows mainly in Russia and the Baltic countries, loves both sunny places and shade. Black elderberry has medicinal properties. And in this article we will tell you about all the advantages of this plant.
What is elderberry?
This plant has a gray trunk and branches, green unpaired leaves, small flowers with a strong aroma. The flowering period is May-June, and by September the black and purple berries ripen.
For medicinal purposes, elderberry inflorescences and fruits are used, which are dried in special ovens. Occasionally, the bark of a plant or branch is collected. Flowers are collected in dry sunny weather, in the afternoon, and dried at a temperature of no more than 35 degrees. The collection and preparation of berries is carried out under similar conditions.
Dried flowers can be stored for no more than 3 years, and berries only for six months.
Elderberry plant in magic
Ancestors often called the elder tree the tree in which “angels live.” This plant was attributed magical properties, it served as protection for the house, driving away trouble and misfortune from it.
The presence of elderberry near the witch's house was especially important. In this case, the tree cannot be dug up in the forest and brought to the house, only cut off the branches and planted. But that’s why it existed special rite with conspiracies. Moreover, this could only be done at a certain time.
You can’t even bring cuttings into the house, only plant them outside. When the time comes to trim the overgrown tree, you need to take an ax, grease the blade with lard and consecrate it in church on Easter.
Thanks to this complex ritual, a person received magically strong talisman for his home, which charged him with well-being for the next years.
Healing and dangerous properties of elderberry
Many beneficial properties are attributed to this plant:
- reduces body temperature;
- expels sweat;
- diuretic;
- relieves inflammation and pain;
- allows you to cough;
- has a sedative effect.
Plant danger
Red elderberries Absolutely forbidden to eat. Even if a person touches them, they must immediately wash their hands with soap, and if they come into contact with mucous membranes, they must immediately contact a specialist.
Black elderberry is dangerous in the following cases:
- during pregnancy;
- diabetes;
- Crohn's disease;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including chronic ones.
It is almost impossible to distinguish black elderberry from red elderberry, so you must be extremely careful when collecting. If you are not sure that what you have found is a bush with black berries, it is better not to touch it. Otherwise, instead of benefit, you can get the most complex poisoning.
Traditional medicine recipes
Elderberry flowers are included in diaphoretic and laxative preparations. Young leaves are boiled in water with the addition of honey and used as a laxative for prolonged and severe constipation.
- The leaves are used to make lotions for rheumatism and gout, applied to problem joints. Elderberry flowers are mixed in equal quantities with chamomile herb, folded into a gauze bag and doused with boiling water.
- In the treatment of dropsy, kidney diseases and urinary system The roots of young elderberry are brewed - 0.5 liters of boiling water yields 68 grams of dry composition. The mixture simmers in the oven for up to 6 hours.
- To relieve the pain of rheumatism, you can take baths; for this, 100 grams of collected roots and branches must be poured with 5 liters of boiling water and left to cool. This decoction is added to bath water.
- You can prepare an infusion that is used as a laxative or for colds. Both fresh and dried berries are used. A tablespoon of dried collection is brewed in a glass of water, the container is covered and left for half an hour to infuse. Take a decoction of ¼ cup up to 4 times a day before meals. It is better to dilute it with honey.
- For stones and sand in the kidneys, a decoction of 20 grams of flowers per glass of boiling water helps. It is brought to readiness within a quarter of an hour in a water bath. A warm decoction with honey is drunk before meals, 1/3 cup.
- For sore throats and colds, an infusion of flowers, which contains 2 tablespoons of dried inflorescences, can be a great help. Drink the infusion hot, 50 ml three times a day, after which you need to lie down under a warm blanket. You can use it only at night, half a glass. The effect will also be positive.
- An excellent remedy is obtained from elderberry flowers. Flowers are placed in a liter container and poured sugar syrup– 450 g of sugar per 500 ml of water. The product is infused for 2 days and filtered. This produces elderberry honey, which is used for influenza, colds, and sore throats. Can be used during the season to prevent colds and viral diseases.
Elderberry helps to improve the health of the body, helps maintain its youth and beauty. Very beneficial influence affects the condition of the intestines, which is very important for normal human life.
We wish you excellent health and good mood!))
Common name: devil's eye, maiden sambuco, trumpet tree, sweet elderberry, tree of fate, old lady
Aura: cold
Planet: Venus
Deities: Venus
Plant parts used: leaves, berries, flowers
Magic powers: exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep, cleansing, love, magic
Ritual use: Elderberry was used in funeral rites in Britain when buried in burial mounds. Thanks to its white flowers, the elderberry is considered a symbol of many Mother Goddess statues. There was a belief that witches and spirits lived inside the elderberry. Therefore, when it is chopped, red juice flows from it - it “bleeds”. Before cutting it down, read the following spell:
“Mistress Elderberry, Give me your wood. I’ll give you mine, When I become a tree myself.”
These words are said while kneeling in front of the tree before cutting begins, to give the witches and spirits time to leave the tree.
Magical uses: If you wear elderberry, no one will ever attack you. Elderberry, hung over doors and windows, drives out evil spirits from the house.
She also has the power to force evil sorcerers to neutralize any magic they may have cast on you.
If you carry elderberries with you, evil forces will leave you alone.
If you burn elderberry in the hearth of your home, death will soon come to your house.
If you plant an elderberry in the yard of a house, that house will prosper.
If you place elderberry branches around the house (one branch in each room), this will protect the house from thieves.
Elderberry growing near the house protects against the destructive effects of witchcraft and lightning.
To bless a person, place or thing, throw leaves and berries to the four winds in the name of the person or thing you want to bless. Then sprinkle elderberry on the person or object itself.
Elder branches were used to protect a woman in labor and her newborn; some washed the place where the deceased lay with elderberry infusion. Elderberry promotes healing from various ailments, prosperity in life, preservation of marital fidelity and simply peaceful and restful sleep.
To get rid of a fever, rake the ground in complete silence with an elderberry branch.
Toothache will go away if you chew an elderberry sprig and then stick it into a crack in the wall (you can throw it over the fence) with the words: Go away, evil spirit! In the old days, it was believed that toothache was the work of evil spirits.
To protect yourself from rheumatism, tie three or four knots on an elderberry branch and carry it in your pocket.
Warts will disappear if you rub them with a green elderberry branch and then bury them in the dirt.
Elderberry growing near the house ensures its prosperity, and elderberry sticks placed in the house protect against burglars and snakes.
Elderberry is used at weddings as it brings happiness to the newlyweds, and pregnant women kiss the branches of the tree to ensure good luck for their unborn child.
If you have trouble falling asleep, place elderberries under your pillow. Your sleep will be sound.
If you carry elderberries with you, they will keep you from adultery.
Make a flute out of elderberry and call upon the spirits with music. It is best to do this at night in a remote place, away from people.
Many people believe that burning an elderberry tree is dangerous, especially since gypsies always prohibit the use of elderberry for fire. However, magicians have used elderberry wood for centuries to make wands.
Elderberry has a very strong magical effect and is very actively used by magicians of all countries. Elderberry was quite often used as a talisman, providing very strong energetic protection against evil forces.
They made an elderberry amulet like this: they took a small twig a few centimeters in size from the middle of the elderberry crown and carried it with them in their right breast pocket - this action will protect you from various evil spirits and simply evil forces.
They also made another amulet: they took a small white linen bag and put 12 elderberries in it, and put it in the bed next to the head, under the pillow. If you tie such a bag and hang it around your neck, then the amulet will continue to scare away various ghosts, spirits, other evil spirits and undead from you, and will keep you safe. But at night you need to remove the bag and put it back under the pillow.
If it happens to you that you simply feel an encroachment on your life in the form of various evil spells, then you can get rid of them by calling on elderberry for help. To do this, you need to ask permission from the tree to pick one branch, ask for forgiveness for such rudeness, and only after that take 3 elderberry branches. One of the 3 branches must be chewed for 3 minutes, then spat out over the threshold. You should always carry the second branch with you; you can simply hang it around your neck. The third branch must be placed in the bed, and preferably under the mattress at the head of the head. You can also attach elderberry sprigs above the windows and leave a few by the front door, in the corner closest to it.
But you should remember that elderberry not only protects from evil forces, evil spirits live in it, so you need to be more careful with it.
It is believed that this is why the elderberry “bleeds” if its branches are cut. And before cutting it down, they read the following spell: “Mistress Elderberry, give me your wood. I will give you mine when I become a tree myself.”
Ancient Russian herbalists recommended making amulets from elderberry branches. The soft core was hollowed out, and the resulting void was filled with powder from wolf eyes, lizard tongues, hearts of dogs and swallows. If you close the cane at both ends with iron knobs, then the evil spirits will not even come close to you.
Sentences were turned to the elderberry in girls' fortune telling about marriage. It was believed that on Kupala night one could see one’s betrothed in an elderberry bush.
With the help of elderberry one could make it rain.
If a man puts three elderberries in his trouser pocket, this will protect him from adultery.
If you beat a boy with an elder stick, he will stop growing.
If you collect elderberry leaves on the last day of April and apply them to wounds, the wounds will not become inflamed.
To cure epilepsy, cut a piece of elderberry branch between two "joints" where the sun's ray has never fallen, and hang it around the patient's neck.
In all Northern European countries, this tree is revered for its great magical powers. Rune masters usually associate the runes of the human world with elderberry - Fehu and Odal. New elder branches easily grow to replace broken old ones, and any branch that ends up on the ground can take root. Tea is brewed from elderberry flowers “to purify the blood”; a soothing infusion is obtained from the bark, but the fumes emanating from this plant are considered pathogenic and even fatal for those who linger under its shade. According to the Elder Edda, the goddess Freya chose the black elderberry as her home. Popular beliefs warn against burning elderberry wood in the house, as this brings inevitable misfortune. In the Middle Ages, the elderberry was considered a witch tree, the twigs of which were used by witches for night flights. Elderberry is the darkness of the Lower World. It provides the opportunity for active aggressive defense, and therefore in Northern Europe it is believed that when an elderberry grows at the gate of a house, it is good, but bringing it into the house is not worth it. And therefore you should think seriously before breaking an elderberry branch and carving runes on it.
In Europe, this plant symbolizes witchcraft, magic and the power of spirits. A sprig of elderberry was worn on Walpurgis Night.
Elderberry symbolizes diligence. Sorcerers and magicians believe that this plant prolongs life and gives the ability to guess the future. If you constantly carry a sprig of elderberry with you, it will serve as a talisman against harmful forces. Given the dual nature of any magical plant, sometimes in predictions elderberry marks the arrival of misfortune.