Family: Caprifoliaceae
Synonym: Black Elder, European Elder, Sambucus, Sambucus canadensis L. refers to American Elder; German: Holunder; French: Sureau; Spanish: Sauco; Italian: Sambreo.
Constituents
Flavonoids, Triterpenes, Oils, Chlorogenic acid, tannins, mucilage, plastocynin (protein), (2) pectin and sugar.
Medicinal Parts
Flower, Berries(Vitamin C and iron), Bark, Leaves, Twigs
It is said that the roots, bark, twigs, leaves, and berries are used alone or in combinations for every type of infection or inflammation.
Action
Anti-inflammatory, laxative (especially berries and bark), anticatarrhal, relaxing diaphoretic, hydragogue (inner bark), cathartic (inner bark). Elderblossom is an emollient skin care product. Emetic (inner bark). Diuretic (urinary antiseptic). Expectorant (hot infusion).
Uses
Elder is stated to possess diaphoretic and anticatarrhal properties. Traditionally, it has been used for influenza, early stages of fever (with dry anti-inflammatory agent), common colds, winter chills, chronic nasal catarrh with deafness and sinusitis. Elder is also stated to act as a diuretic, laxative, throat and trachea (mouthwash and gargle), night sweats (cold infusion), local anti-inflammatory agent and an ancient household remedy for promoting flow of urine (cold infusion).
Flowers: contain oil, rutin, vitamins, and minerals extensively for treatment of dropsy, rheumatism, appendix inflammation, bladder and kidney infections, intestinal conditions, eyes, and external skin trouble.
Berries: Diuretic, astringent, diaphoretic, much used as a gargle.
Leaves: The young spring leaves boiled in honey are excellent in chronic constipation.
Distilled Elderflower water: for inflamed eyes.
Externally: Leaves, flowers, bark, and twigs are excellent as a hot poultice, mixed equally with chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), for soreness, inflammations, joint stiffness, etc.
Tonsillitis is cured by gargling with the decoction of Elder flowers. The teas from Elder are magnificent against the flu.
Rheumatism – for use as an infusion; use for rubbing; and use for fumigation.
Food: Home and hospital foods are made from the flowers and berries, including vitamin and mineral-rich jam and marmalade used in many dietetic preparations. Elderberry wine, with its pleasant aroma and taste, is familiar in the wine industry.
Elder is listed by the Council of Europe as a source of natural food flavouring (categories N1 and N2).
Dosage
Dosages for oral administration (adults) for traditional uses recommended in standard herbal reference texts are given below:
Dried flower: 2–4 g by infusion three times daily.
Liquid extract daily: 2–4 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily.
Cold Infusion – leaves: 1-2 ounces, two to three times daily.
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Source:
Treatise On Occult Medicine And Practical Magic By Samael Aun Weor
Herbal Materia Medica Fifth Edition by Michael Moore
Clinical Botanical Medicine by Eric Yarnell, N.D., R.H., Kathy Abascal, B.S., J.D., Robert Rountree, M.D
Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram
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