Alder is a common medium height tree in much of New Zealand. It’s pretty, and pretty useful too.
It makes a beautiful orange dye and has been used in woodwork to make utensils, carvings and musical instruments. It is clean burning, non-crackling and prized for smoking salmon.
The bark and leaves of the tree have also been used traditionally for herbal medicine. It has been used historically for bleeding, sore throat, fever, swelling, constipation, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, gargle for sore throats, strep throat, soothing inflammation, promoting healing, fighting infections, support liver breakdown of waste, support bile formation, fat digestion, acne, boils, mouth ulcerations, and more.
This is another little recognised very useful herb.
It’s not meant to be complicated to be well. Nor is it meant to be expensive.