Old Fashioned Elderberry Salve to Treat Skin Conditions

Elderberry shrubs grow wild in many areas of the United States. It is also a very popular landscaping shrub. It is very hardy with white blossoms in the early spring and produces small dark berries in late summer.

Well known by native Americans as a healer of skin conditions and as a digestive tonic. The beautiful black berries make excellent jams, jellies and wine. It is dense with antioxidant properties offering amino acids, potassium and vitamin C. The berries have high levels of tannins, carotenoids and falconoid. The berries contain twice the antioxidant property of blueberries and cranberries. Elderberries juice is used to treat the flu virus and the bark can be used for stomach ailments, constipation and water retention.

The elderberries make an excellent salve to relieve symptoms of psoriasis, dry skin, eczema, minor burns, poison Ivy, insect bites, bee stings, skin cuts and abrasions.

This old fashioned elderberry salve is still used in many areas of the United States. In our area a group of ladies will get together and cook up a batch to share it with family and friends.

Old Fashioned Elderberry Salve

In a large non-aluminum pot add one cup of water to four pounds of elderberries. Bring to a boil, and boil for at least one hour or until thickened. This should make one quart plus one pint of pure elderberry juice.

Boil together: 7 cups of Lard with 4 cups of elderberry juice. Boil together until it boils down into threads (similar to making jelly).

Remove from heat allow to cool a little then add:

2 Teaspoons Camphor

1 Teaspoon Camphophenique

½ Teaspoon Merthiolate

½ Teaspoon Creoline

½ Teaspoon Iodine

¼ Teaspoon Turpentine

Return to heat for 15 to 20 minutes, remove from heat and pour into jars.

You may need to stir a little when pouring into jars to keep it from separating. This recipe makes about 20 baby-food size jars of salve. Share with family and friends.

You can use beef tallow in place of the lard, if is available in your area. Elderberry juice can be purchased at most health food stores or from on-line sources. The other ingredients may be purchased from your local pharmacy or on-line sources.