Alder: The Healer Along the Riverbank

In the quiet hush of riverbanks and damp woodlands, the alder tree stands with humble resilience—its fissured orange bark glowing like old copper in spring mist. Indigenous to the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, alder (genus Alnus) is more than a quiet sentinel of wet soil. It is a tree of deep-rooted usefulness, both in ancient construction and herbal medicine.

A Tree that Built a City

Centuries ago, alder earned architectural fame in Venice, where its water-resistant wood was used to form the very foundation of a floating city. Beneath shimmering canals, alder’s submerged timber resists decay, proof of the tree’s enduring strength even in silence.

Yet the alder holds another kinds of legacy—one whispered from healers and herbalists, who gathered its bark in fall and early spring, using them fresh to then wounds and soothe inflammation.

Medicinal Parts & Harvesting

—Bark: Harvested in fall and spring, best used fresh. Rich in tannins and prized for its astringent action

—Leaves: Also gathered fresh, used in poultices and compresses

Both parts are drying, cooling, and astringent—ideal for conditions where dampness or swelling reigns

Traditional Uses and Herbal Actions

Gargles and Mouthwash-astringent, anti-inflammatory—sore throats, gum inflammation, strep infections

Tincture/Decoction-internal tonic, staunches bleeding—Diarrhea, intestinal bleeding

Topical Washes-drying, anti-inflammatory—cuts, hives, poison ivy, swelling, sprains, scabies

Compresses-astringent, wound healing—Bleeding wounds, skin irritations

Leaf Poultices-anti-inflammatory, soothing—breast engorgement in nursing mothers

The Power of Tannin

Alder bark’s high tannin content is at the heart of its medicinal potency. Tannins constrict tissues, reduce inflammation, and create a hostile environment for bacteria—a trifecta of healing that traditional hearbalists leaned on for centuries. The contraction of mucous membranes offers immediate relief from excess dampness, whether in the throat, gut, or skin.

Indigenous Wisdom & River Magic

Alder’s preferences for moisture isn’t just ecological—it’s symbolic. It heals what swells, soothes what overflows. Where water pools and stagnates, alder arrives to dry, strengthen, and balance. In folk practice, alder was often considered protective, with leaves tucked into bedding or carried to ward off illness.

Final Thoughts

Alder is a tree that doesn’t shout—but it speaks, if your listening. It’s gifts are subtle but strong, echoing the quiet healing of cool woods and shadowed streams. As with all medicinal plants, reverence and knowledge must guide its use. When gathered with care and applied with intention, alder offers a balm of both body and memory.