EL′DER

Syn. Sambucus (Ph. L. & E.), L. A large shrub or small tree belonging to the natural order Caprifoliacæ . It is indigenous in Europe, and has long been valued for its medicinal properties. “The recent flowers of the Sambucus nigra ” (Ph. L.) or common elder are regarded as diaphoretic and pectoral, and a distilled water ( ELDER-FLOWER WATER ; AQUA SAMBUCI ) is made of them. The inner bark of the same tree is purgative and emetic, and is used in dropsy; the leaves are purgative; the juice of the fresh berries is made into wine ( ELDER WINE ), and is largely used to make FACTITIOUS PORT WINE , and to adulterate the real wine. See Waters (Distilled).