Anti-catarrhal activity

Anti catarrhal. The mucus-reducing activity of elder may be due to its high potassium content, but in any case this plant helps to clear up bronchial mucus, hay fever and sinus congestion. Both flowers and berries help to dry up a runny nose. When the flowers are taken before hay fever season they help to lessen its severity. A gargle made of elder blossoms steeped in vinegar can be used to treat sore throats and tonsillitis. Elder has even successfully treated catarrhal deafness and children s croup. A tea made of elder flowers can ease hoarseness and make the voice clear. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Documented effects Preparations are used to treat ulcers and gastric catarrh, as well as duodenal ulcers (Khalmatov 1964). Compounds isolated from this species showed unique anti-oxidant activity (Kogure et al. 2004). 

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