Elder

Sambucus nigra Elderberries gathered on St John’s Eve were traditionally thought to protect the possessor against witchcraft and also to bestow magical powers. In Hertfordshire, traditional fare at the feast of St Catherine (kept until the latter part of the 19th century) included ‘Kattern’ or ‘Kat’ cakes eaten hot and buttered, with hot elderberry wine. The Romans used the juice of the berries as a hair dye and there is a tradition of using the dried berries as a substitute for raisins (in such things as ‘barm brack’ or ‘curney cake’). The cordial has long been used for colds and coughs and has recently been proved to be scientifically effective. Elderberries contain viburnic acid which induces perspiration and is especially used in cases of bronchitis and similar troubles.