Yet with all of the tales of sorrow attached to this amazing tree it regenerates into a medicinal wonder. There are also traces of wax, fat, gum, albumen, chlorophyll, tannic acid, grape sugar, starch and pectin. It is gently stimulating and mildly astringent. An emollient ointment from the inner green bark and a homeopathic tincture made from the fresh inner bark relieves asthma complaints and may assist with croup. They are also purgative, diuretic, expectorant, and diaphoretic.
Bruised leaves yield a juice that drives away flies and aphids.
Dried leaves will drive away moles when places in their tunnels. They are also used for bronchial and pulmonary problems and to promote expectoration in pleurisy. They have a gentle laxative action and are one of the best preparations to induce free perspiration. In fact Dr. Shook used elder flowers and peppermint together to induce sweating of toxins from the body, preventing pneumonia in soldiers on the battlefields. This method is still used today by herbalists, and other combinations include elder and yarrow, or hyssop, or boneset in cases of influenza.