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Elder Sambucus nigra

Benefits | Preparation | Medicinal Uses | Side Effects | Plant | Folklore | Elder Remedies
buyBuy Bulk Elder From Mountain Rose Herbs

Elder berry wine
Elder berry wine
Common Names
Elder , Elderberry
Botanical Name
Sambucus nigra
Family
CAPRIFOLIACEAE Honeysuckle Family
Elder Medicinal Properties & Benefits
Common Uses: Bronchitis * Colds * Congestion/Chest & Sinus * Cough * Influenza * Lungs/Respiratory * Sinusitis * Sore Throat/Laryngitis *
Properties: AntiViral* Breath*
Parts Used: Flowers, berries
Constituents: Flowers: small quantity of essential oil (containing palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids), triterpenes, flavonoids (including rutin), also pectin, mucilage, sugar. Berries: sugar, fruit acids, vitamin C, bio-flavonoids. Leaves: cyanogenic glycosides,


Elder is an tasty and
effective cough medicine

Leaves of the elder tree are used in an ointment that is a folk remedy for bruises,sprains, chilblains and hard-to-cure skin irritations. The flowers are used to make infusions to treat bronchitis and colds, and of course the tasty berries are used to make elderberry wine.

The dried berries make a tart and tasty purple tisane that is a family favorite at my house, especially in the winter. Combines well with hot spicy accents like cinnamon and ginger for a good cold remedy.

Related Species S. candensis, North American sp
Side Effects:
How to Use: Elder
Preparation Methods :Elderberries can be made into homemade syrups, and herbal teas. Both the flowering tops and berries can be used. Sambucol is a popular commercial preparation made from elderberry extract.

remedyRemedies using : Elder

Elder berry for :Flu viruses
Flu viruses The elder tree's berries are tasty flu fighters. They contain compounds that can inhibit the enzyme that flu viruses use to penetrate our cell membranes.

Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Elder flowers for :Bronchitis
Bronchitis Elder flowers also reduce bronchial and upper-respiratory catarrh and are used to treat hayfever.

Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Elder flowers for :Skin rash, chilblains
Skin rash, chilblains Externally a cold infusion of the flowers may be used as an eyewash for conjunctivitis and as a compress for chilblains, and are used in ointments for irritation of the skin.

Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Elder flowers for :Tonsillitis, sore throat
Tonsillitis, sore throat A gargle made from elderflower infusion or elderflower vinegar alleviates tonsillitis and sore throats.

Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Elder flowers for :Arthritis
Arthritis Elderflowers have a mild laxative action and in Europe have a reputation for treating rheumatism and gout.

Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Elder flowers and berries for :Coughs & colds
Coughs & colds Combined with yarrow and mint elder flowers and berries are specific for the treatment of colds and flu. The berries are mildly laxative and sweat-inducing, and simmered with sugar, make a winter cordial for coughs and colds.

Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Elderberry for :Flu
Flu Elderberry is one of the most effective herbs for preventing and treating upper respiratory infections, constipation, and fever. Elderberry stimulates the immune system and has shown some activity in preliminary trials against viruses such as herpes simplex and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Elderberry contains substances called Sambucus nigra agglutinins (SNAs) that can to "lock" receptor sites on certain strains of flu viruses. This keeps the viruses from infecting human cells.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)


Buy Bulk Elder Herbs, Extracts, Capsules and Oils
Certified Organic Elder Berries/flowers
Berries Sambucus nigra Origin- Hungary Flowers Sambucus canadensis Origin-Poland Dried fruits are less bitter than fresh. Used in teas, tinctures, encapsulations, syrups, wine, cordials, and even ketchup, often combined with propolis or echinacea.
buyOrganic Elder Berries/flowers

Certified Organic Elder Berry extract
buyOrganic Elder Berry extract

Certified Organic Cold-Care Capsules
A trusted ally to have in the home during the cold and flu season and made from 100% certified organic ingredients. Ground and encapsulated fresh.
buyOrganic Cold-Care Capsules

Contains: Organic Echinacea purpurea root (100mg), Osha root (100mg),organic Elder berry (100mg), organic Echinacea angustfolia root (75mg), organic Goldenseal root (75mg), organic Ginger root (50mg).

Certified Organic Elder Berry Syrup
Because of its tasty flavor, Elder Berry Syrup is a wonderful cold and flu remedy for kids. If you have a family, this syrup is a absolute necessity for your medicine cabinet. Use Elder Berry syrup for colds, flu, sore throats, and fever.
buyOrganic Elder Berry Syrup

Wildharvested fresh Elder Berries, Raspberry Honey, and it contains 10% alcohol by volume

Certified Organic Elder Berry-Larix
(Immune Support) * 45 Caps 410 mg.
buyOrganic Elder Berry-Larix

Contains: fresh freeze-dried concentrate of black Elder Berry,, Western Larch (Larix occidentalis), wildcrafted St Johns Wort flower and leaf,, organic Lemon Balm leaf , and concentrate of Echinacea purpurea flower & leaf.

referencesElder Medicinal Uses & Benefits
Bronchitis * Colds * Congestion/Chest & Sinus * Cough * Influenza * Lungs/Respiratory * Sinusitis * Sore Throat/Laryngitis *
Plant Description

Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887
Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887

  • Flowers:Cream colored
  • Plant Class:Deciduous tree
  • Leaves:Oval shaped
  • Fruit: Purplish-blue berries
  • Preferred Habitat:
  • Flowering Season:
  • Distribution: Native to Europe, elder is especially common in England, where is it is a popular hedge tree. A member of the honeysuckle family, this small tree has been cultivated since ancient times. Valued in making musical instruments, weaving needles, and of course elderberry wine. There is some confusion among the different species, but the best studied is the European elder, S. nigra. Americans used S. candensis for the same medicinal purposes.

Folklore, Myths and Legends
Astrology:
folkloreBoth the elder and dwarf tree are under the dominion of Venus.The decoction of the root taken, cureth the biting of an adder, and biting of mad dogs. It mollifieth the hardness of the mother, if women sit thereon, and openeth their veins, and bringeth down their courses: The berries boiled in wine performeth the same effect; and the hair of the head washed therewith is made black. Nicholas Culpeper
folkloreIt was thought the Elder could not be hit by lightning, and so should be planted near the house. In the sixteenth century it was believed that the leaves of the elder should be gathered on the last day of April, and hung on doors and windows to prevent witches from entering the house. A twig of Elder carried close to the body, was thought to give good health and luck. The Druids believed that elder was inhabited by the Elder Mother, and that cutting the branches of the tree without first repeating a placatory incantation would invite her wrath.

Common Misspellings:

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