238. Sambucus: i.e. the elder; hot in the third degree and dry in the second degree. Its roots, foliage, flower and fruit are suitable for medical purposes. It is of the pith of the elder is made the oil named oleum sambucinum. The elder has the virtue of attracting the phlegmatic humour and the viscous humours; it opens the oppilation of the liver and spleen; it gives relief from colic, ileus, quotidian fever and tertian fever caused by the lemon-coloured and the yolk-coloured choleric humour. Principally, it purges the water of dropsy; if half a hen-eggshell of the juice of the root of this tree be given with wine, it will purge the illnesses we have mentioned. The root bark of this tree is commonly put in laxative oximels and syrups; furthermore, the foliage of this tree is put in plasters and in fomentations against swelling and pain of the organs caused by coldness. If the foliage of this tree be put in the kind of bath