Black elder, black-berried European elder,
boor tree, bountry, elder, ellanwood, ellhorn, European elder, German
Elder, elderberry
Parts Used
root, bark, young shoots, leaves, flowers, fruit
Active Compounds
The flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for
the therapeutic effects of the elderberry flowers and berries.
According to laboratory research, an extract from the leaves, combined
with St. john's wort and soapwort, inhibits the influenza virus
and herpes simplex virus.
A study in humans determined that an extract of elderberries is
an effective treatment for influenza. Animal studies have shown
the flowers to have anti-inflammatory properties.
History
Elderberries have long been used as food,
particularly in the dried form. Elderberry wine, pie, and lemonade
are some of the popular ways to prepare this plant as food. The leaves
were touted to be pain relieving and to promote healing of injuries
when applied as a poultice.
Native Americans used the plant for infections, coughs, and skin
conditions.
Remedies
For
Elderberry is useful for:
Common cold/sore throat
Herpes simplex
Inflammation
Influenza (flu)
Elderberry juice is a wonderful as a cleanser. It is very rich.
Dilute it with other juices if you wish. The juice is especially
good as a tonic for the reproductive and glandular system, and elderberry
blossoms, when dried, can be used as a kidney tea.
A tea made from the leaves and young shoots increases the production
of urine and helps to eliminate excess water from the body. In proper
dosages, black elder remedies can be used for urinary problems,
kidney problems, dropsy, edema, rheumatic ailments, and constipation.
The tea of the flowers promotes perspiration and is used particularly
for colds and for rheumatic complaints.
The berries are not to be eaten raw and the fresh juice is not
to be used. Cook the berries lightly, whether it is for eating or
for the juice. An elderberry jam is mildly laxative and is suitable
for irritated or inflamed intestines and for small children.
Description
Elderberry grows in Europe and North America. The flowers and berries
are used therapeutically.
Black elder may take the form of a shrub or small tree, 10 to 30
feet high. It is generally found in moist, shady places and among
underbrush. It is also cultivated.
The bark is light brown near the bottom of the stem, gray-white
higher up, somewhat torn and stippled with warts. The leaves are
opposite, odd-pinnate; the leaflets ovate, acuminate, finely serrate,
dark green.
In June and July black elder sports cymes of white to yellow white
flowers, which develop into berries that turn from green through
red-brown to shiny black.
Dosage
Liquid elderberry extract is taken in amounts of 5 ml (for children)
to 10 ml (for adults) twice per day.
A tea made from 3-5 grams of the dried flowers steeped in 250 ml
(1 cup) boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes may also be drunk
three times per day.
The bark and root bark must be used fresh.
Use 1 level tsp. Bark or root bark to 1/2 cup boiling water. Take
no more than 1 cup a day, a mouthful at a time.
Safety
There are no known adverse reactions to elderberry.
The fresh plant is poisonous. American elder's toxic content is
higher than that of the European elder. However, when cooked, the
berries are harmless.
Some people have reported dizziness and even stupor when taking
elder as a laxative.
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