We use black elderberry juice for treatment. Black elderberries: medicinal properties

Black elderberry (S. nigra) is used by humans in medicinal and Food Industry from time immemorial. Sambucus nigra is a shrub with whitish-yellow flowers, ash-gray bark, and can reach two to five meters. The leaves are opposite, elongated in shape. In the non-chernozem zone, flowering occurs in June. The fruits are harvested during the period of absolute ripeness (usually in late August - early September), when they acquire a black-violet color and become juicy, sour-sweet. Fruit round shape, 0.4 cm in diameter, weight less than a gram, dark red berries when cut. From one fruiting bush of cultivated tree-like black elderberry you can collect 1-3 kg of berries.

Shade-tolerant crop, requires fertile soils. The roots are located close to the surface of the earth, they are delicate and fragile. Elderberry is a heat-loving crop.

The fruits of this plant are used to make preserves, jams, jellies, marshmallows, and wines, since they, unlike other representatives of this family, are edible. However, their use is limited, and only ripe berries are added to food. Ripe fruit is safe, but you need to know moderation in everything.

The leaves and inflorescences can be used to brew tea. Branches and leaves are poured with marinade and rolled into jars, then used as an independent dish.

Methods for propagating elderberries

Propagated by seeds, stems, rhizomes, shoots, layering, through scion; brown, flattened seeds sprout a year after sowing. For spring sowing they need stratification for 2-4 months on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at a temperature of 2-30 C.

Most effective method propagation of black elderberry - scion its green parts. Prepared in June from upper parts stems and leaves. The leaves at the top are preserved, the lower ones are cut off, removing the petioles. The roots are sprinkled with sand and peat. The latter are taken in equal proportions. The formation of roots in green elderberry cuttings at a humidity of 80% takes 20-30 days. Caring for cuttings is usual: loosening, weeding, watering, fertilizing. Elderberry is a very delicate plant; when the roots are removed from the soil, the inflorescences quickly wither. It is better to choose a seedling with a woody shoot (trunk) and fresh root, dipped in a clay mash or planted in a peat pot (in autumn), and with green buds (in spring).

Historical information

Since time immemorial, people began to use black elderberry shoots along with other herbs such as nettles as food. It is these parts of the plant that are endowed with diuretic and anti-dyspeptic effects. Apparently the latter made it possible to use these properties for medical purposes.

Elderberries were infused for several months. The resulting juice served as raw material for the production of strong alcoholic drinks(wine, vodka). Then other parts of the plant began to be used in the wine and vodka industry. The juice of the berries was a coloring agent and a natural flavoring agent.

Black elderberry coloring pigments have been used in the textile industry. Cotton and silk products were dyed by mixing elderberry fruits with copper. This combination gave the fabric a black color. Elderberry became a good material for ink (alum was added to the latter). The depth of the eyes and the oval of the face were emphasized by tinting the eyebrows with elderberry.

Elderberry was also used for cooking soft drinks(tea, compote), which has not lost its meaning in our time. So, in the Saransk region, village old-timers still brew tea with elderberry when signs of a cold appear.

Elderberry berries were used in the fight against insect pests Agriculture. They were placed in cellars as protection from “uninvited guests.”

The phytoncidal properties of black elderberry have long been known. Where it grows next to fruit and berry trees and shrubs, there are no many garden pests (threads, moths, weevils, moth caterpillars, aphids, bud mites, etc.), because the specific elderberry smell repels insects.

Sambucus nigra - unique plant, pantry nutrients, a powerful source of medicinal properties. Elderberry inflorescences and buds are rich in essential oils and acids (contains valeric, acetic, malic). The green parts of the plant and the bark contain resins, the latter cause laxative effect. Therefore, they are used for chronic constipation (constipation).

Berries are a component of anti-inflammatory infusions and infusions. This plant is suitable for treating headaches, colds and infectious diseases, joint diseases, bronchial asthma, some diseases respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract due to diaphoretic, laxative, emetic effects. Often used in for preventive purposes.

In the old days in Rus', with the help water tincture elderberries got rid of pigmentation, small scars, and superficial skin defects. A decoction of flowers was used to wash the eyes for inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Main substances present in elderberry

All the features of black elderberry are associated with the rich content of nutrients in the fruits, which are necessary for normal life. These include:

• Saponins;
• Vitamin C;
• Vitamin A;
• Lemon acid;
• Acetic acid;
• Glucose;
• Tannins;
• Rutin;
• Essential oils;
• Choline.

The most useful of the above components are:

1. The roots contain saponins, which have an expectorant (thin the mucus and promote its removal from the lungs), diuretic (increase diuresis), tonic (increase the level of active work body), sedative (on brain function) properties.
2. The inflorescences contain terpenes that give a fragrant aroma. Also, carotene, which causes the yellow tint of flowers and is a cofactor A. Vitamin A (retinal) is involved in the work of the visual analyzer, neutralizes active forms oxygen is an antioxidant.
3. In fruits, anthocyanins provide resistance to inflammatory processes and normalize intestinal function. Tyrosine promotes the production of melanin, necessary for the functioning of glands internal secretion, producing hormones and other secretions.
4. The roots, fruits, and bark are rich in tanning substances, endowed with antidiarrheal and antihemorrhoidal effects.

The positive effect of the described substances is realized precisely in combination, that is, for the manifestation of the potentiating effect of vitamin A, provitamin A is necessary, for the participation of choline in reactions aimed at transferring nerve impulse need tyrosine.

The effect of black elderberry on the body is comparable to the effects of the parasympathetic system:

• Stimulation of the gastric glands;
• Decreased excitability and conductivity of the myocardium (heart muscle);
• Negative inotropic effect (decreased strength of heart contractions).

Contraindications

The use of black elderberry should be approached consciously, since the use of low-quality raw materials can lead to serious consequences and even fatal outcome. Since immature forms of the plant contain sambunigrin, a highly toxic compound, the decomposition of which releases cyanide, which inhibits the functioning of the central nervous system.

Black elderberry preparations are not permissible for benign tumor diseases(benign hyperplasia prostate gland). Berries, inflorescences, less often roots, leaves, which work against other diseases, are powerless here. The plant should not be used if cancer is suspected, as the toxic effect on the central nervous system may intensify.

The use of black elderberry is justified only as complementary therapy underlying disease (for example, inflammation hair follicle- boil, etc.) and prevention of colds. Independent, uncontrolled use components of this plant is associated with negative effects, such as:

• nausea, vomiting;
• increased sugar levels;
• decreased blood pressure;
• possible development of shortness of breath, changes in the blood picture in general and biochemical tests.

An absolute contraindication to the prescription and/or use of extracts containing black elderberry is diabetes mellitus, any form chronic diseases. When using Sambucus nigra, consultation with a specialist is important.

Recipes

1. Medicines based on Sambucus nigra are effective for acute respiratory viral infection, as they increase sweating and have an antipyretic effect. To fight colds at home, use an extract from the inflorescences (20 grams). The latter are filled with 200 ml hot water, bring to a boil. Cook for 25 minutes over low heat. After removing the broth from the stove, cool it and filter it. Consume twice a day ten minutes before meals.
2. Elderberry extract is also suitable for treatment. Pour 20 grams of flowers into 200 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes. Add honey before use. And so 100 ml twice a day.
3. Grind the dried ingredients (shoots and fruits), steam in 200 ml of water for 20 minutes. Strain and take 40 ml (pre-heated), every four hours, shortly before eating. The infusion has a choleretic effect.
4. 5 g of dried elderberries are poured into 150 ml of water (after boiling and cooling), leave all day or all night, and filter. The resulting infusion is heated before use. Take once a day. Elderberry extract has a laxative effect.
5. At inflammatory diseases skin and subcutaneous tissue(hemorrhoids, boils, diaper rash, burns - stage I) use poultices from elderberry leaves. To do this, young leaves (40 grams) are boiled in milk. The resulting mass is placed in a rag and brought to the affected area. At gouty arthritis and rheumatism, treatment can be supplemented with a decoction of elderflower flowers.
6. 20 grams of dried flowers are poured into a glass of water, put on the stove until boiling, boiled for about 25 minutes, cooled for 45 minutes. Then filter, squeeze and add cold boiled water to the volume of a glass. Drink 60-120 ml of the contents 2-3 times a day before meals.
7. Rheumatism, urolithiasis can be treated with a bath with elderberry root infusion. Elderberry leaves and ground roots (10 grams of dried) are steamed with 1 liter of boiling water, left for 100-120 minutes, pour the liquid part into a separate container. Add the contents to a bath with water temperature close to normal temperature human body. You should take such baths every day before going to bed. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The course of treatment is 10-14 days.
8. Black elderberry infusion improves the functioning of the urinary organs. It is prepared from dried elderberry inflorescences, St. John's wort, and chamomile is also added, in total there are 7 grams for each component. Next, the mixture of dry plants is combined with 200 ml of boiling water and boiled in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. The resulting broth must be cooled, strained, and boiled water at room temperature must be added so that the volume of the solution is a fifth of a liter. Drink the entire contents before bed.

Carefully! Black elderberry poisoning is accompanied by the development of dyspeptic syndrome. Unripe, untreated shoots are generally poisonous and unsuitable for use. Women during lactation, children under sixteen years of age, persons with pathology gastrointestinal tract(enterocolitis, malabsorption syndrome, all types of gastritis, etc.) - the use of products based on flowers and roots of the shoots of this plant is strictly contraindicated.

Video: medicinal properties of black elderberry

Sacred tree or cursed? There are many legends about elderberry, which has been valued by healers and magicians since time immemorial. The medicinal properties of black elderberry are still used today, but let's talk about everything in order.

Botanists identify 25 varieties of this plant, the most common of which are: black elderberry, red elderberry and herbaceous elderberry. The rest are less known.

Elder black: medicinal properties, description

Among the people, black elderberry has a name: elderberry, elderflower, sambuca, wasteland, squeaker.

External characteristics:
The shrub is on average 3-4 m high (individuals reach 10 m), trunk girth is up to 30 cm, the bark is brownish-ashy. The leaves are 10-30 cm long, bright green above, grayish below. The flowers are small, white-yellow, with a pleasant fragrant aroma. The berries are round, 5-7 mm in diameter, purple-black in color, taste sweet and sour, and are collected in clusters. It begins to bloom at the age of three in May-June, and the fruits appear in August-September.

Those who have decided to prepare medicinal raw materials on their own are wondering where elderberry grows? The shrub is common in temperate and subtropical climate zones. There are no special habitats. It can be found in deciduous forests, cemeteries, along rivers, parks, gardens, and even just in the courtyards of residential buildings.
Healers and pharmacologists value the flowers and berries of black elderberry, which contain many acids (valeric, caffeic, acetic), carotene, tannins, mucus, sugars and elements that are analogues of sex hormones. The bark is a source of essential oils and choline. The leaves are used in medicinal purposes: greens contain vitamin C, carotene, essential oil and resinous substances, and vitamin A1 was found in the dried ones.

The use of tinctures/decoctions of black elderberry flowers and berries is recommended for getting rid of edema, treating pancreatitis, various diseases stomach, improving lactation, as a diuretic and diaphoretic. They also help with colds: have antipyretic and expectorant properties.

The roots of the plant reduce sugar levels in the body, which is useful for diabetics. They are also brewed for douching at various women's diseases(colpitis, candidiasis).

We especially note healing properties black elderberries:

they treat hepatitis, stomach ulcers, relieve rheumatic pain, strengthen ocular vessels, prevent visual impairment and the appearance of cataracts;
black elderberry juice is used as disinfectant;
The syrup relieves cough, restores the liver, increases hemoglobin levels, strengthens the immune system, and tones the body.

Alternation strengthens the immune system well useful herbs: don’t forget about it, add it to your diet.

Black elderberry: recipes for tinctures and syrups

Universal infusion
Preparation:

20 g of dried elderberry flowers are poured into ¼ liter of water and boiled for 15 minutes. Then leave for half an hour or longer, filter, squeeze out the sediment, add boiled water to the original amount.

Application:

For burns or ulcers, make a compress and apply it to the affected areas.
For gout and rheumatism, drink 1/3 glass three times a day before meals in a warm state.
To cure a cough, drink the infusion instead of tea.
For sore throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis or toothache, gargle/gargle.
For kidney problems and bladder drink like tea.

Infusion of leaves
Preparation:

8 whole elderberry leaves and 20 g of chopped sage are poured with boiling water (1 glass), left for an hour, and 10 g of honey are added.

Application: for hemorrhoids, drink half a glass a day for a month.

Infusion of flowers (for pain relief for radiculitis)
Preparation:

30 g of flowers are thrown into a half-liter thermos, filled with boiling water to the top, left for an hour, filtered.

Application:

during an exacerbation, drink half a glass 3-5 times a day before meals for 12 days.

Contraindications:

Black elderberry, despite its many medicinal properties, is toxic. Experimenting with it is prohibited for pregnant and nursing mothers, people suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, and children. Eating berries can cause diarrhea, vomiting and even severe poisoning.

Black elderberry syrup

This miracle remedy is popularly used to strengthen the immune system, saturate the body with vitamins, and treat sore throats. Black elderberry syrup is used for mastopathy, constipation, rheumatism, gout, arthritis, to cleanse and rejuvenate the body.

Do you know about it? Healers use it for bronchitis, colds, lack of appetite, stomach problems, cystitis, and dry skin. Angelica is a real panacea for many diseases.

Recipe 1

Pour 1 kg of berries into ½ liter of water.
Boil for 20 minutes.
Squeeze and add 1 kg of sugar to the juice.
Bring to a boil again, pour into a glass container.

Should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed bottle.

Recipe 2

Cover the berries with sugar, shake so that it is evenly distributed between the fruits and covers them. Close the jar and keep in the refrigerator for 3 weeks (until the juice forms).

This recipe is more popular, and the syrup is healthier, since the berries lose their beneficial properties when cooked.

Use:

If just for prevention, then it is enough to drink ½ teaspoon of syrup after meals three times a day. Take it for a month, take a two-week break, then you can start again.

For medicinal purposes, it is necessary to drink 2/3 cup of purified water before meals, and then half a spoon of syrup. The duration of the course is similar to use for preventive purposes.

Contraindications: prohibited for children under three years of age, pregnant women and diabetics.

Elderberry fruit extract sells for $35 per 0.5 liter. And there are buyers who use the miracle potion to treat cancer and boost immunity, instead of a laxative. But why pay a considerable amount if you can do everything yourself.

Recipe

Place layers of berries in a glass jar, sprinkling them with sugar (about 1 cm). Leave for at least 15 days. The extracted juice is poured into a dark glass bottle and stored in the refrigerator.

Use:

Before meals, drink a glass of water, after - 20 grams of extract, three times a day.

Ornamental types of black elderberry

The most common option is laciniata. She is noticeably smaller than her healer sister - reaching no more than 3 meters in height. It blooms in June-July for about a month, the flowers have a pleasant aroma, yellow-white. The fruits are round, black.

Less popular varieties are: Aureomarginata, Purpurea, Madonna, Pulverulenta, Guincho Purple, Gerda and Black Beauty. Although recently they have been noticed and used in projects by landscape designers.

By the way, even the ancient Greeks and Romans believed in the magical properties of the plant, calling it sacred. It was believed that elderberry protected the house from unclean spirits. In the Middle Ages it was discovered that it could be used as a dye for clothes and hair. The Slavs had a belief that wastebush branches should not be taken into the house or burned, and the Germans treated witches with them.

Red elderberry: application features

Among the people, red elderberry also has another name: buchkan, pishchalnik, shank.

Height is from 1.5 to 5 m, the bark is brown-gray, the length of the leaves is up to 10 cm, they have a specific bad smell. The flowers are small, white-yellow or with a light green tint, and also have a nasty smell. Fruit small size, red, ripen in mid-late summer, but last until frost. Ripe berries are non-poisonous, but they are still not eaten.

Red elderberry is used exclusively by healers, traditional medicine its properties are not recognized. Used for colds, coughs, as an antibacterial and antiseptic, for headaches, sore throat, rash. The bark and leaves are used as an emetic and laxative.

Diaphoretic infusion

Preparation:

1 tbsp. Throw ripened elderberries into ¼ cup of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, filter.

Application:

20 g three times a day.

Infusion for bronchitis

Preparation:

1 tbsp. l. Add ground elderberry bark to 300 ml of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, filter.

Application:

0.5 cup three times a day.

Note for beginning herbalists

For medicinal purposes, elderberry flowers and fruits are often used. Bark, branches and roots are less in demand. Flowers are collected according to special rules, since the petals quickly deteriorate, change color and do not like moisture. They need to be picked in dry weather and placed in a basket so that they do not wrinkle. If you use a “duty” plastic bag when collecting, the flowers will smell unpleasant, turn brown, and lose their beneficial properties. The picked inflorescences are laid out on cloth or hung over newspapers in the shade, in a well-ventilated place. Additional conditions (desirable, but not required): artificial lighting, temperature up to 45°. Dried flowers deteriorate, so they can be stored for no more than two to three years in a dark, dry place in a closed container. At the same time, it is important to periodically inspect their condition and remove damaged ones.

The berries are cut in bunches only after they are completely ripe. Green fruits are poisonous. The bunches are dried in a ventilated place or under artificial heat at 60-65°. Then they are separated from the stalks and ground. You can store it for six months under the same conditions as the flowers.

The leaves are harvested in the spring, and the roots - at the end of autumn; after drying, they must be ground. Store no longer than 5 years.

This is a shrub whose fruit is fragrant berry dark purple or black. There is also a red elderberry, but it is a poisonous berry and is not suitable for medicinal or food use. The beneficial properties of black elderberry have been known since ancient times. According to legend, the elderberry is a sacred plant and has unique property bestow longevity. And today, herbalists and herbalists value this shrub for its powerful healing power and rich vitamin and mineral composition.

Elderberry treatment

Berries, flowers, flower buds, and sometimes plant roots are used for treatment. Elderberry flowers contain rutin, glucose and organic acids, essential oil, and berries contain a large number of ascorbic acid, and P, carotene, tannins and others useful material.

Black elderberry flowers and fruits are used to treat edema, pancreatitis, stomach problems, and to enhance lactation in nursing mothers. The phenolcarboxylic acids contained in the plant have a diuretic effect on the body, which makes it possible to use elderberry to get rid of swelling and to cleanse the kidneys.

Elderberry is recommended to be taken for colds as a diaphoretic, expectorant and antipyretic. At diabetes mellitus It is useful to drink a decoction of elderberry roots, it will not only lower blood sugar levels, but will help get rid of complications caused by the disease (nephropathy, furunculosis, gastrointestinal disorders).

Uses of elderberry

A decoction of all parts of the plant (root, flowers and leaves) is used to normalize metabolism. Berries in fresh and tea from the inflorescences of the plant have a relieving effect on rheumatism. Infusions of dried fruits are used to enhance bile secretion, cleanse the intestines, and as a diuretic. Decoctions of elderberry flowers are useful for bronchitis, tonsillitis, flu, laryngitis, neuralgia, gout, for the treatment of kidneys and Bladder.

Decoctions of young elderberry leaves are considered an effective analgesic and hemostatic agent; they are also taken for headaches, insomnia, atherosclerosis and stomach diseases. Juice from fresh berries plants gently cleanse the body, expel excess liquid, improves liver and kidney function.

Black elderberry is most often a bush or low tree that grows well in both hot and temperate climates. It is often found on the edges of forests, where it can form dense thickets. Elderberry is used as an ornamental plant. It blooms from May to June. Large white inflorescences fill the surrounding area with a strong and pleasant aroma. The berries begin to ripen in August, and in September they can already be harvested. This article is about the beneficial properties and contraindications of black elderberry.

Elderberry is sung in songs, described in legends and different stories. In this way, our ancestors tried to convey to us the importance of this shrub for health. Elderberry is considered a means of longevity; it is valued for its ability to increase the tone of the body and influence hormonal background, cleanse the blood. Red elderberry is very poisonous plant, and black elderberry contains a small amount of poisons.

Scientific research shows how complex and rich the composition of elderberry is. What do berries, bark, leaves, inflorescences, roots have? different composition and different concentrations of toxic substances. The inflorescences and berries (without seeds) are absolutely devoid of substances harmful to humans, so they can be safely eaten, but the use of roots, leaves and bark requires certain knowledge.

Black elderberry has been used as an effective remedy even medieval kings. And now it is officially approved for use in medicine.

Black elderberry - 12 medicinal properties

Thanks to their rich components, the fruits, bark, flowers and leaves of black elderberry have a lot of healing and useful properties, which can cure many ailments and be used for preventive purposes various diseases. It is actively used in both folk and official medicine.

All medicinal properties and the beneficial substances that are found in the fruits of black elderberry are stored for six months; long-term storage is not recommended. The same cannot be said about the flowers of this shrub; they can be stored in a dry place with good ventilation for about two to three years.

BLACK ELDERBIRD - CONTRAINDICATIONS

Contraindicated for use fresh fruits black elderberry - this can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even severe poisoning if eaten in large quantities. Fresh shoots are also toxic, and the roots and bark of the plant can provoke an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines - in strong doses.

Fresh berries and flowers contain toxic substance(amygdalin), which is converted into hydrocyanic acid. But toxins are destroyed when raw materials are dried, so dried berries, flowers, and leaves are not dangerous.

Black elderberry in any form is contraindicated for pregnant and nursing mothers.

It is contraindicated to use elderberry for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, nonspecific ulcerative colitis and diabetes insipidus (diabetes).

Medicinal properties of black elderberry infusion - recipes

To prepare medicinal infusion from leaves or berries, pour a large spoonful of the raw material with a glass of water, boil for 15 minutes and let it brew for 45 minutes. After this, squeeze out the raw materials and add boiling water to the original volume.

Black elderberry decoction - medicinal properties

• At ulcerative lesion stomach, hepatitis, make a decoction of the berries of the bush and drink it like tea.
• For a diuretic or anthelmintic action drink a warm decoction before meals, a third of a glass.
• Elderberry decoction is also used to improve intestinal function and bile secretion.

Black elderberry root decoction - recipes

Pour a large spoonful of roots into a glass of boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Using the medicinal properties of this decoction:

• Taken orally for diabetes.
• With the help of a decoction, swelling is relieved.
• Relieve headache or toothache.
• Treat bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Used as a diuretic.
• At erysipelas used in the form of baths.

Longevity drink - recipe

I offer you a wonderful recipe medicinal drink, which can prolong life and preserve your beauty. in places where elderberry has been common since ancient times, they know it and cook it with pleasure.

1. The recipe is simple: for 2 large spoons of fresh or dried elderberry, take a liter cold water and 5 spoons of honey.
2. When the mixture boils (and the heat should be low), boil for 5 minutes and drink hot, like tea.

Sambucus nigra L.
Honeysuckle family - Sarrifoliaceae.
Common name: elderflower, sambuca, buzok, wasteland, elderflower, pischalnik, base.

Description

A small tree or shrub from 3 to 10 meters high. The crown is rounded, the bark on old trunks is ash-brown with deep longitudinal cracks, on young shoots it is darker, gray-brown, with numerous yellowish lenticels. The trunk is up to 30 cm in diameter. Young shoots are filled with a soft white core inside. The leaves are opposite, imparipinnate, with 5–7 ovate, pointed leaflets with sharply toothed edges. The leaves have an unpleasant odor. The flowers are quite small, 5–7 mm in diameter, with a fused-petaled wheel-shaped creamy-white corolla, fragrant, collected in apical corymbose inflorescences up to 20 cm in diameter. The marginal flowers are sessile, the rest are on pedicels. The fruits are juicy, black-purple, berry-shaped drupes with 2–4 wrinkled, brown seeds. The plant is shade-tolerant. Reproduces vegetatively, by root shoots and seeds.

Spreading

Found in Crimea, the Caucasus, Ukraine, Belarus, southwestern Russia, and southern Siberia.

Habitat

It grows in deciduous, less often in coniferous forests, among shrubs, in overgrown cutting areas, in forest plantations and forest belts. Bred in parks and gardens.

Flowering time

It blooms in May–June, the fruits ripen in August–September.

Collection time

• Flowers are collected during full bloom in dry weather.
• The fruits are harvested only when fully ripe, in August–September.
• The bark is removed in the spring before sap flow begins.
• Elderberry roots are harvested in late autumn.
• Leaves are collected in spring.

Harvesting method

As medicinal raw materials Elder flowers, leaves, grains, berries, young branches, bark and roots are used.

• Flower baskets are collected during the period of full bloom before the corollas begin to shed. Harvesting elderflower flowers usually lasts 15–20 days. After collection, the flowers are separated from the peduncles. Dry in dryers at a temperature of 30–35°C or cut off whole inflorescences and immediately dry in the shade under a canopy or in attics with good ventilation, laying them out in a thin layer on bedding. Drying is completed when the inflorescence branches become brittle. After drying, thresh or rub through a sieve. Dried raw materials have a spicy smell and sweetish taste. For elderflower flowers, a humidity level of no more than 14% is provided, and for browned elderflower flowers, no more than 8%. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years.
• The fruits are collected during their period full maturity- in August–September. Whole bunches are picked or cut, laid out in a thin layer, dried in air, and then dried in dryers, ovens, ovens at a temperature of 60–65°C. Dried fruits are separated from branches and stalks. They are rounded-elongated, wrinkled, black-violet on the outside, dark red on the inside, weakly aromatic odor, sour-sweet taste, with a feeling of sliminess. The shelf life of raw materials is 6 months.
• Elderberry roots are collected in late autumn, dried, ground into powder and stored in this form for up to 5 years.
• Bark is harvested from two-year-old branches in early spring Before sap flow, they are cleared of glands, the top gray layer is scraped off, separated from the core and dried in dryers, ovens, ovens at a temperature of 65–70°C. The shelf life of raw materials is 3 years.

Store flowers and fruits in bags, bales in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area, on racks accessible for regular inspection. The raw material does not tolerate dampness, quickly absorbs moisture, becomes moldy, and loses its medicinal qualities.

Chemical composition

Elderberry fruits contain 2.8% glucose, 2.5% fructose, free acids (mainly malic acid), vitamin C, 0.31% tannins. Unripe fruits and leaves contain the poisonous glycoside sambunigrin (breaks down into hydrocyanic acid and benzaldehyde). Dried leaves contain provitamin A. Black elderberry inflorescences contain mucous substances, malic, acetic and valeric acids, a paraffin-like substance, solid essential oil, terpene and glucoside, which has a diaphoretic effect, rutin.

Applicable part

Flowers, fruits, bark and roots.

Application

Black elderberry medicinal plant was known back in the Middle Ages.

Black elderberry is widely used in scientific medicine. Infusion and decoction of elderberry flowers are used as a diaphoretic for colds, flu, bronchitis, laryngitis, kidney and bladder diseases and neuralgia. Elderberry flowers are included in diaphoretics, emollients, laxatives and gargles. An infusion of dried elderberry fruits improves bile secretion, enhances diuresis, and promotes the movement of intestinal contents. The bark is used as a strong laxative, emetic and diuretic. It is especially valuable that the diuretic property of the bark manifests itself selectively, without affecting the activity of the heart and without changing blood pressure.

In homeopathy, the alcoholic essence of leaves, flowers and other preparations from black elderberry is used - for arthritis, rheumatism, fevers, respiratory diseases, bronchial asthma, at coronary disease heart, pharyngitis.

IN folk medicine black elderberry received even more wide application. Infusion, decoction, juice, poultices, baths from raw black elderberry are used internally and externally:

• As a general tonic;
• Like a sweatshop;
• As an antipyretic;
• As an expectorant;
• As a choleretic;
• As a laxative;
• As a diuretic;
• As an anti-inflammatory;
• As a sedative;
• For diseases of the kidneys and bladder;
• With ascites (dropsy);
• For respiratory diseases;
• For edema of various origins;
• At women's diseases, menopause;
• For influenza and acute respiratory infections;
• For headaches;
• For diabetes mellitus;
• At peptic ulcer stomach;
• For hepatitis;
• For rheumatism, polyarthritis, gout, arthritis;
• For neuralgia, radiculitis, sciatica;
• For hemorrhoids;
• As an antimalarial;
• For skin cancer, stomach cancer and other cancers;
• Externally and internally - for various skin diseases;
• For inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat;
• For chloasma (skin pigmentation disorders), freckles;
• At depressive states;
• For hydrophobia (rabies).

Contraindications

Individual intolerance to the drug. It is not advisable to take during pregnancy, consult a doctor! Treat children under 12 years of age with caution. Observe the dosage; in case of overdose, nausea and vomiting are possible. It should be borne in mind that elderberry preparations have a diuretic and laxative effect and should be excluded in case of ulcerative enterocolitis and diabetes insipidus. No specific contraindications have been identified.

Other uses

• The wood is suitable for use in turning.
• The branches can be used to protect granaries from weevils.
• The plant repels rats and mice, so elderberry is planted around sheds, barns, and cellars.
• Flowers - in veterinary medicine for colds and rheumatism in horses and cattle.
• Insecticide for bedbugs, gooseberry moth, blackcurrant mite, raticide.
• The fruits dye wool and silk using mordant in different tones.
• Red and purple food coloring is obtained from the fruits for confectionery production, jelly, and juices.
• The fruits are good for cleaning copper utensils.
• Honey plant.
• It is grown as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens.
• In the Middle Ages it was revered as a sacred tree.

Mode of application

Flowers

Elderberry flowers have diaphoretic, antipyretic, diuretic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. Therefore, an infusion of flowers is taken orally for colds, respiratory diseases, edema, kidney diseases, rheumatism, gout, arthritis, for female diseases, menopause and as a means of increasing the body's resistance to skin diseases (rashes, acne, boils). It is used for rinsing when inflammatory processes mouth and throat, in the form of drops, inhalations and used for poultices and baths. The decoction exhibits antibacterial activity.

Fruits and seeds

The fruits have a peculiar taste and have a diaphoretic, expectorant, choleretic, laxative, diuretic, restorative effect. Fresh, dried fruits and black elderberry seeds, both alone and in collections with various herbs. Decoctions, infusions and tinctures are prepared from the fruits, and are also used in cooking. The fruits are used internally and externally for diabetes, gastric ulcers, hepatitis, respiratory infections, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica, radiculitis, with cancer diseases, skin diseases, inflammatory diseases oral cavity and throat. Crushed seeds and dried fruits are used for malaria. At severe cough and the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, it is effective to take black elderberry syrup 3 times a day after meals, 1 dessert spoon. Kissel made from dried fruits is used as a laxative.

Leaves

The leaves have restorative, analgesic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, diaphoretic and “blood purifying” properties. The leaves are used externally in the form of lotions and applications for tumors, diseases of the skin and joints. Inside - as decoctions and infusions. Young spring leaves Boil in honey and use for chronic constipation.

Bark

Preparations from the bark are used for diseases of the kidneys and bladder, as a strong laxative and emetic. For rheumatism and radiculitis.

Roots

Preparations from the roots are used for kidney and bladder diseases, diabetes, gynecological diseases, depression, hydrophobia (rabies), and edema of various origins. For rheumatism, polyarthritis and radiculitis.

Infusion

Infusion of flowers

• A tablespoon of flowers in 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes in a closed container, strain, drink hot as a diaphoretic at night, or take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day 15 minutes before meals as an anti-inflammatory, expectorant, astringent.
• A tablespoon of black elderberry flowers is placed in an enamel bowl, poured with 200 ml of hot boiled water, covered with a lid and heated in a water bath for 15 minutes, cooled for 45 minutes at room temperature, and filtered. The remaining raw materials are squeezed out. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted boiled water up to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Take warm, 1/3–1/2 cup 2–3 times a day.
• Two teaspoons of flowers per 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain. Drink in sips throughout the day as a diaphoretic, diuretic and emollient for colds (runny nose, cough, sore throat, laryngitis), as well as for kidney disease, bladder disease, edema, gout, hemorrhoids, skin rashes.
• 5–15 g of crushed dried flowers are poured into a glass of boiling water, left for 20 minutes, filtered, and stored in a cool place. Drink 1/2 glass 3-4 times a day hot 15 minutes before meals for colds and spinal tuberculosis.
• A handful of dried or fresh elderberry flowers are infused for 20 minutes in 0.5 liters of boiling water. Used to wipe and wash the skin and wash the face.
• An infusion made from flower powder has the same effect as the flowers. Prepare an infusion of 1–2 pinches of powder in 1 glass of water and drink in 2 doses.

Infusion of bark

6–8 g of bark or 4–5 g of bark powder are infused in 500 ml of boiling water in a thermos for 5–6 hours, then filtered. Take 1/2 cup 5-6 times a day for edema (especially for renal edema), inflammatory kidney diseases.

Leaf infusion

In the evening, pour 1 tablespoon of dry crushed leaves with 2 cups of boiling water, leave until morning (you can use a thermos), and drink warm in the morning. Take as a diuretic for colds.

Fruit infusion

• Infuse 10 g of dried elderberry fruits in 200 ml of chilled boiled water for 2 hours, then strain. Drink 150–200 ml once a day for constipation.
• In the evening, pour 1 teaspoon of dried fruits with 2 glasses of hot water, leave until morning (you can use a thermos), and drink warm in the morning. Take as a diuretic for colds.
• Half a teaspoon of dried berries per 150 ml of chilled boiled water, leave for 12 hours, strain, take warm once a day as a mild laxative.
• tablespoon dried berries pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, take 50 ml 3-4 times a day after meals for diabetes.

An infusion of berries improves bile secretion, enhances diuresis, and promotes the movement of intestinal contents.

Infusion of roots

An infusion of roots is taken for depression and hydrophobia (rabies).

Tincture

A teaspoon of flowers or buds is infused with 250 ml of vodka for 7 days. Take 30 ml before bed for 2-3 weeks. After 2 x-month break you can repeat the treatment.

Decoction

Decoction of elderberry bark and young shoots

Mix equal amounts of elderberry bark and young shoots. Brew 30 g of raw materials with 1 liter of boiling water, put on low heat and boil for 5 minutes, leave for 40 minutes, strain. Use for diabetes, and also as a diuretic for edema of various origins.

Elderberry decoction

Brew 30 g of black elderberry berries with 1 liter of boiling water, put on low heat and boil for 5-10 minutes, leave for 45 minutes, strain. Use for diabetes and neoplasms.

Elderberry leaf decoction

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over a tablespoon of leaves, boil for 5 minutes, leave until cool. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for diabetes, edema of various origins, rheumatism, gout, ascites (dropsy), etc.

Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the decoction of leaves and take it for stomach colic.

Elderberry root decoction

• Boil 30 g of black elderberry roots in 0.5 liters of water, use warm for douching for colpitis, cervicitis and other inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. Treatment should begin 2–3 days after menstruation. Take a break 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation and so on until complete recovery.
• Brew 30 g of raw materials with 1 liter of boiling water, put on low heat and boil for 5 minutes, leave for 40 minutes, strain. Use for diabetes, kidney disease, and also as a diuretic for edema of various origins.

Baths

• From an infusion of black elderberry leaves and roots. Dry leaves and ground roots are poured into 1 liter of boiling water (30:1000) and left for 2 hours. The infusion is filtered and poured into a bath (36–37°C). The course of treatment is 10–12 days. It is recommended to take a bath for 15 minutes before bedtime. Indications: rheumatism, gout, obesity.
• Pour two tablespoons of raw materials (dried leaves, flowers, elderberry roots) into a liter of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Strain and pour into the bath (its temperature should be 36–37°C). Take the bath for two weeks. The bath has a disinfecting effect. After a two-month break, you can resume the course. To enhance the effect, it is advisable to drink 30 ml of elderberry tincture 15 minutes after the bath.
• A bath of the bark of branches and roots is used for polyarthritis and rheumatism.

Juice

Black elderberry juice is squeezed from flowers or ripened fruits. Taken for rheumatism and nerve pain, in particular for sciatica and nerve pain in the face. Fruit juice is taken depending on tolerance from 30 ml to 1 glass with a tablespoon of honey 3 times a day. The juice of the flowers is mixed with honey in equal parts and taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Poultices

• Boil two tablespoons of young leaves in milk, wrap in gauze. Use as an external remedy for hemorrhoids, boils, diaper rash and burns.
• Mix equal parts of black elderberry and chamomile flowers. Place in a gauze bag, pour boiling water over it and apply hot dressings for rheumatism and gout.

Goodies

Elderberry juice

Ingredients: black elderberry, fruits - 1 kg; sugar - 400 g.

Preparation: Wash the fruits and blanch for 5 minutes. When the water has drained, mash the fruits with a wooden pestle, squeeze out the juice, add sugar, bring to a boil, pour into hot sterilized bottles or jars and seal.

Elderberry puree

Ingredients: black elderberry, fruits - 1 kg; sugar - to taste.

Preparation: rinse the fruits cold water, blanch for 3–5 minutes, strain, grind with a wooden pestle, add sugar, stir, bring to a boil. Place the puree into sterilized jars, cover with lids and pasteurize at a temperature of 85°C: half-liter - 15 minutes, liter - 25 minutes. Store in a dark, cool place.

Elderberry jam

Ingredients: black elderberry, fruits - 1 kg; sugar - 800 g; water - 200 ml.

Preparation: prepare 80% sugar syrup. Place ripe fruits in boiling syrup and cook over low heat until tender.

Elderberry jelly

Ingredients: black elderberry, dried fruits - 75 g; water - 1 liter; sugar - 120 g; citric acid - to taste.

Preparation: pour dried fruits hot water- 500 ml and cook for 10–15 minutes. Drain the broth, mash the fruits, add the remaining water and cook for another 5–10 minutes. Combine both decoctions, add granulated sugar, citric acid and cook until done.

Drink of long-livers

Ingredients: black elderberry, dried fruits - 1 tablespoon; water - 500 ml; honey - 2 tablespoons.

Preparation: Pour dried elderberry fruits with water and boil for several minutes, strain, add 2 tablespoons of honey. Consume hot several times a day.

Elderberry syrup

Ingredients:

Preparation: Pour fresh washed fruits with water and boil for 15–20 minutes. Squeeze out the juice, add granulated sugar, bring to a boil, pour into clean bottles and seal them with corks. Store in a cool place.

Elderberry jam

Ingredients: black elderberry, fruits - 1 kg; water - 2 glasses; sugar - 1 kg.

Preparation: Pass the washed fresh elderberries through a meat grinder, add granulated sugar, water and cook until the desired thickness.

Elderberry marshmallow

Ingredients: elderberry fruit pomace - 1 kg; sugar - 600 g.

Preparation: Mix the elderberry fruit pomace with granulated sugar and cook for 15 minutes. Place on a baking sheet in a layer 1.0–1.5 cm thick and dry in the oven at low temperature.

Dried elderberry

Ingredients: black elderberry, fruits.

Preparation: Separate the fruits from the stalks and branches and dry in a shaded, ventilated area. Dry in the oven on low heat. Store in a dry place in glass jars. Grind before use. Add to meat fish dishes, broths, sauces, gravies.

Elderberry honey

Ingredients: black elderberry, flowers without pedicels; sugar - 1 part; water - 1 part.

Preparation: Fill a glass liter jar with elderberry flowers without stalks, pour sugar syrup (1 part boiled water and 1 part granulated sugar) over them and leave for 24 hours, then bring to a boil and boil for 20 minutes. Strain the hot infusion through a fine sieve and cool.

Tea "Summer"

Ingredients: black elderberry, dried fruits - 10 g; rose hips, fruits - 10 g; strawberries, leaves - 20 g; black currant, leaves - 20 g, sugar or honey - to taste.

Preparation: Pour boiling water over dried elderberries, rose hips, strawberry leaves, black currants and leave for 5-10 minutes. You can add sugar or honey to taste.