Grey Alder: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Grey alder (Alnus incana) is a large shrub or tree in the birch family. It grows in the European part of Russia, the Urals, the Caucasus and Siberia. For medicinal purposes, its fruiting cones are harvested. These are commonly called alder cones. However, the traditional use of plant material does not mean that every homemade infusion is safe or suitable for self-treatment.

How to identify grey alder and distinguish it from other species?

Grey alder belongs to the birch family (Betulaceae). It grows as a tall shrub or tree and can reach 20 meters in height. It is easy to recognize by the combination of its light-colored bark, distinctive leaves and small fruiting cones.

The bark of grey alder is smooth and light gray. Its leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and grow on stalks. They are egg-shaped or oval-elliptical. The leaf tips are pointed, and the edges are double-toothed.

Young leaves are densely covered with hairs. As the leaves mature, their upper surfaces become smoother or retain fine, closely pressed hairs. The undersides have a bluish-gray tint. They may be almost hairless or slightly hairy. The hairs are more noticeable along the veins and sometimes form a grayish, felt-like covering.

Grey alder flowers in early spring, before the leaves appear. Its flowers grow in catkins. Male and female flowers are found in separate inflorescences. As the fruits mature, the scales of the female catkins enlarge and become woody. This produces small fruiting cones that look like tiny pine cones.

These fruiting cones are the part used as medicinal plant material. They differ from young catkins and individual seeds. Therefore, when harvesting, it is important to identify the plant correctly and collect the right part.

Where does grey alder grow, and how do its species differ?

Grey alder is widespread in the central and northern parts of the European territory of the former USSR, the Urals, the Caucasus and Siberia. Botanical descriptions list various habitats, including forest edges, woodland margins, clearings and burned areas.

The plant is found along streams and rivers. It grows in damp meadows and in the understory of forests with moist soil. In Perm Oblast, grey alder is described as a widespread plant found near rivers, lakes and marshes, as well as in damp forests.

Grey alder and black alder, also known as common alder (Alnus glutinosa), belong to the same genus. However, they are different species. Pharmacognosy reference books state that the fruiting cones of both species are permitted for medicinal use.

When harvesting the plant yourself, it is important not to rely on its growing location alone. Grey alder and other species may grow in similar conditions. To identify the plant, consider its bark color, leaf shape, hairiness and the structure of its fruiting cones.

Grey Alder: Benefits, Properties and Characteristics of Its Fruiting Cones

The main medicinal plant material obtained from grey alder consists of its fruiting cones, which reference books call alder cones. They develop after the fruits mature, when the scales of the female catkins become hard and woody.

According to pharmacognosy literature, grey alder fruiting cones are harvested for medicinal purposes. This confirms their use as plant material. However, the fact that a plant appears on lists of medicinal species does not establish the effectiveness of a particular homemade remedy.

When readers ask about the benefits of alder, it is important to distinguish traditional uses from proven effectiveness. Grey alder, whose properties are discussed in herbal medicine resources, requires careful attention to the choice of plant material. Recipes involving the leaves, buds or other parts of black alder cannot automatically be applied to it. Preparations made from different alder species should not be considered interchangeable, either.

What is alder used for in herbal medicine, and what does it treat?

The question "What does alder treat?" has no universal answer. Older herbal guides describe ways of using various plants, including alder. However, some of these recipes may refer to a different species or combine several ingredients. For example, reference literature includes descriptions of water-based decoctions containing black alder fruiting cones and other plants.

Such information does not justify using the same recipe with grey alder. It is important to know the exact plant species, the part being used and the proportions specified in the particular recipe.

Grey alder, when considered as medicinal plant material, should not be used as a substitute for medical care. You should not choose a plant on your own to treat symptoms without first determining their cause.

When evaluating any herbal remedy, you need to consider not only where it comes from but also how it is prepared, how much plant material is used and the person's health. A recipe from an old herbal guide does not, by itself, prove that it is safe in every situation.

How are grey alder and its cones used?

The fruiting cones of grey alder are used for medicinal purposes. They are harvested as a distinct type of plant material. However, information about harvesting does not mean there is a universal recipe for an infusion or decoction that is suitable for self-treatment.

Older literature contains recipes for water-based decoctions that include alder. But some of these descriptions refer to black alder or mixtures of several plants. The proportions given in those recipes should not be applied to Alnus incana without confirmation.

When choosing a ready-made product, check the plant's name and the ingredients. You should also make sure that the instructions specify the method of use you are considering. Plant material of unknown origin and products without clear labeling are not suitable for unsupervised use.

An infusion, decoction, alcohol tincture and concentrated extract are different forms of herbal preparations. They should not be considered interchangeable. Their composition and concentration of substances may vary, so the instructions for one product cannot automatically be applied to another.

Grey Alder: Can You Brew It at Home?

To prepare an infusion at home, you need a verified recipe specifically intended for grey alder. You should not decide on your own how much plant material to use, how much water to add, how long to steep it or what daily dose to take.

Medicinal plant reference books describe alder fruiting cones as plant material, but this is not enough to establish a safe home-use regimen. Recipes intended for black alder should not automatically be used for Alnus incana.

If a healthcare professional recommends an alder-based preparation, clarify a few points:

• Which plant species is listed in the ingredients?
• Which part of the plant is used?
• Is the product intended to be taken by mouth?
• What dosage is specified in the instructions?
• Which contraindications should be considered in light of your health and the medications you take?

Choose products with clear ingredients and instructions. If the plant species or method of use is not specified, it is safer to avoid using the product until the information has been clarified.

Do not increase the amount of plant material in the hope of making the infusion more effective. A higher concentration does not guarantee greater benefits and may increase the risk of unwanted reactions.

How to Harvest and Store Alder Cones Properly

For medicinal purposes, the fruiting cones of grey alder are harvested. Reference books identify this part of the plant as medicinal raw material. Leaves, bark and buds should not automatically be used as substitutes for the fruiting cones.

The first step in harvesting is to identify the plant correctly. Grey alder grows along rivers and streams, in damp meadows, in the understory of moist forests, and along forest edges and clearings. However, the growing location alone is not enough to identify the species with certainty.

Inspect the fruiting cones before harvesting. Do not collect material with visible signs of mold, rot or damage. Material of unknown origin is also unsuitable, as is anything for which the plant species cannot be identified with confidence.

After harvesting, prepare and dry the fruiting cones according to the guidelines for the relevant medicinal plant material. It is important to prevent dampness and spoilage. The exact processing conditions should meet the requirements for that particular type of material.

Store the dried fruiting cones in a dry place, protecting them from moisture. For convenience, you can label the package with the plant's name and the harvest date. Inspect the material periodically. If mold, a musty smell or noticeable changes in appearance develop, do not use it.

Avoid harvesting large quantities of the plant if you do not have suitable storage conditions. Improper storage can reduce the quality of the material. Fruiting cones that look intact do not necessarily retain their original properties.

If you have no experience identifying plants or preparing medicinal plant material, it is more sensible to choose ready-made products that clearly identify the species and provide understandable instructions. This helps prevent mistakes during harvesting and identification.

How to Find Grey Alder Abroad

Outside its native range, grey alder is easiest to search for by its Latin name, *Alnus incana*. Common names may also refer to other alder species, so check the product ingredients.

What the plant is called:

• USA: grey alder or gray alder; other names include speckled alder, thinleaf alder and white alder.
• Germany: Grau-Erle or Grauerle.
• France: aulne blanc, aulne gris or aulne des montagnes.
• Latin name: *Alnus incana*.

What forms are available:

A macerate made from fresh buds and young shoots is more commonly found as a liquid in a dropper bottle. In France, you may also find gemmotherapy preparations and homeopathic products made from buds or young plant tissues. Dried plant material, tea bags and capsules containing this particular alder species are rarely documented for sale.

Where to look:

• USA — specialty herb shops, online stores selling herbal raw materials and some health food stores.
• Germany — pharmacies (Apotheke), herbal shops, Reformhaus stores and online pharmacies.
• France — pharmacies, parapharmacies, gemmotherapy suppliers and herbal shops.

What to check on the packaging:

• The Latin name *Alnus incana* and the part of the plant used.
• The preparation type, country of origin, extract ingredients and alcohol content.
• The batch number, dosage and organic certification, if claimed.

Do not confuse grey alder with *Alnus glutinosa* or North American alder species.

In the USA, dietary supplements do not undergo FDA premarket approval for safety and effectiveness. In Germany, Arzneitee is classified as a medicinal product and is subject to the relevant pharmaceutical requirements.

Grey Alder: Contraindications and Precautions

Current safety data on taking Alnus incana by mouth are limited. No specialized monographs from EMA, NIH/NCCIH, Drugs.com or Memorial Sloan Kettering specifically describing the clinical safety of grey alder as an oral herbal preparation have been identified. Therefore, the lack of detailed information about adverse reactions should not be considered proof of safety.

Allergies. People with a known allergy to alder pollen should be cautious. Alder pollen can cause allergic rhinitis. Symptoms may include sneezing, a runny nose, itching and other allergic reactions. If symptoms develop after contact with the plant, stop the exposure and assess the severity of the reaction.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The safety of medicinal doses of grey alder during these periods has not been established. There is insufficient information about possible effects on the fetus or a breastfed infant. Therefore, you should not take these preparations by mouth without consulting a healthcare professional.

Children. Reliable information about the effectiveness and safety of grey alder preparations in children is limited. Do not select a dose yourself or use concentrated herbal preparations without professional guidance. Discuss whether the product is appropriate with a pediatrician.

Drug interactions. Clinically confirmed interactions specific to Alnus incana have not been established. This does not mean interactions are impossible. If you take medications regularly, consult a doctor or pharmacist before using herbal preparations.

Side effects. There is insufficient information about the frequency and nature of adverse reactions associated with taking grey alder internally. Allergic reactions and gastrointestinal disturbances are possible. Additional risks include misidentifying the plant, contaminated raw material and unpredictable concentrations of substances in homemade preparations.

Dosage and overdose. No universally safe medicinal dose of grey alder for unsupervised oral use has been established. Do not take plant material of unknown origin or products without clear instructions by mouth. Natural origin does not guarantee that a preparation is safe.

If you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, severe vomiting, confusion or fainting after using an herbal product, seek emergency medical care.

When to See a Doctor

You should see a doctor if symptoms recur, get worse or interfere with your daily life. Herbal remedies should not delay medical evaluation or investigation into the cause of your symptoms.

If you have a chronic condition, discuss any new preparations, including herbal products, with your healthcare professional. This is especially important if you take medications regularly. Your doctor can assess potential risks and determine whether a particular product is necessary.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, do not take grey alder preparations in medicinal doses without medical approval. Children also need an individualized approach that takes their age and health into account.

If you develop a runny nose, itching, a rash or other signs of an allergy after contact with alder, stop contact with the suspected allergen. If you experience breathing difficulties or facial swelling, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Extra caution is needed when using plant material you have harvested yourself. Misidentification, improper drying and contamination can make it unsuitable for use. Every medicinal plant deserves careful handling. Before using it, make sure the species has been correctly identified, consider possible contraindications and seek medical advice if necessary.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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