Elderflower

[samstar]

Has anyone heard of elderflower being rubbed on the skin to repel horse flies, someone told me today that it does really work

 

[m3gan]

That is a coincidence! My pharmacist, well not mine, but local, told me on Saturday that the wild moorland animals alway shelter beneath elderflowers because it keeps the flies etc. away. So this morning when I was riding , on my scary ride, I picked a flower and wondered if I had lots would they repel flies!!

So perhaps it is true.Will have to be quick as the flowers will be gone soon!

 

[Rhiann0n]

Actually its the leaves of the elder bush, not the flowers and they would need to be bruised, so that the oils come out.

It does work, and doesn't smell as bad as some fly repellants.

 

[samstar]

oooooo will have to go and hunt some down to try then, thankyou Morrighan

 

[tedster]

ooo interesting I will defo try that

 

[f_s_]

I'm going looking for some too!! The flies are driving us all crazy!!

Thanks for the tip Samstar!!

 

[gails]

You really are an angel samstar, I will get some, many thanks

 

[Donkeymad]

Fresh mint is good too

 

[samstar]

Donklet, pebbles looks a right cutey

 

[spike123]

It's interesting to hear this as my YO was saying today about picking the elderberries while they are white and squeezing them to make a potion to use to repel the flies.He was saying about how the flies will avoid the elderberry bush.We are lucky enough to have an elderberry bush outside our yard gates.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

O cool - thankies samstar!!

We have loads of elder so will be giving the neds a rub down with the leaves from tomorrow!

 

[samstar]

do you think now with everyone picking elder we will have it as a rare species

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Not rare on this farm - we have loads!!

I'll sell it to anyone who needs it......

 

[samstar]

[ QUOTE ]
Not rare on this farm - we have loads!!

I'll sell it to anyone who needs it......

[/ QUOTE ]


20p

 

[f_s_]

I've got a bush too!!! Oops sorry! I meant an elderberry bush!!

 

[samstar]

pmsl

 

[foxend]

I make Elderflower Champagne & Elderflower Cordial! - NOT recommended to be chucked on as a fly repellant!!

Mind you, my OH says it tastes like ditch water but I love it!!

 

[Fransurrey]

Oooh I have lots in my field. I normally just use the flowers for cordial (and I, too, have champagne on the go!). Haven't noticed the ponies sheltering under it, but maybe food is a larger pulling force...