Elder flower berries

Alterative. Alteratives increase blood flow to the tissues, improving metabolism and detoxification. Elder s alterative action helps to improve many skin afflictions including boils, eczema, acne and erysipelas. Elder improves the secretions involved with many bodily functions. Parts used flowers, berries, young shoots. 

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. 

Anti-inflammatory. Elder flowers help soothe an inflamed respiratory tract irritated by hay fever and sinusitis. Elder has even been used to calm the agony of gout. Cool, strained elder flower tea makes an excellent application to inflamed eyes. Elderberries taken internally as a tea, tincture or syrup help to soothe irritated bowels or colitis. Topical applications are also helpful for glandular swellings. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Antirheumatic. Elder flower and vinegar fomentations can be used topically for painful joints, muscle soreness and stiffness. Elderberry juice is an ancient remedy to help neuralgia, rheumatism, gout and sciatica. Parts used flowers, berries, leaves. 

Antiseptic. A wonderful agent for colds, elder helps to fight infection. Elder leaves have also been used topically to treat dog bites. Historically, elder was used to treat syphilis. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Antispasmodic. Easing muscle cramps as well as psychological stress, elder tea has been used for headache, eyelid twitching, palsy, epilepsy, stroke, paralysis and the spasms that accompany asthma. Affected body parts can also be rubbed with elder flower infusions. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Aperient. Mildly laxative, elder has long been used in teas and cordials to aid the digestive process. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Diaphoretic. Because it promotes perspiration by relaxing the pores, elder is a traditional remedy to help the body release toxins through the skin. It increases blood circulation and body heat near the surface of the skin. It has been used to treat blemishes, acne, herpes, psoriasis, measles and chicken pox. Parts used flowers, berries, leaves. 

Diuretic. Elder enhances kidney activity and helps to clear heat or infection through the urinary system. Parts used flowers, berries, inner bark, leaves. 

Nervine. Enjoy elder as a tea before bed. It calms the spirit and emotional body. Historically, a decoction of elder flowers was prepared and applied to the legs and arms to induce a deep sleep. Elder flower tea was also given to those suffering from epilepsy. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Rejuvenative. Elderberry wine and jam have long been given to the elderly to help them feel younger. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Relaxant. Elder helps to relax bronchial spasms as well as asthma. On an emotional level, elder soothes nerves, calms anxiety and helps to lift one s spirits when feeling blue. Use elder to calm a sick, irritable person in need of a good night s sleep. Elder is also helpful in cases of anxiety and shock. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Restorative. Rejuvenating to both body and mind, elderberries are a restorative tonic for building the blood back up after childbirth. Elder flowers taken as a tea or snuffed up the nose may also help to restore the sense of smell. Elder flower tea has also been used to restore a person who has fainted. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Tonics. Elder is considered a tonic for the respiratory system and digestive tract. It can help increase the strength of a person in a weakened state. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Vulnerary. Elder is an effective remedy for relieving hemorrhoids when applied topically as a salve. Elder has been used to treat erysipelas, an acute inflammation caused by strep bacteria that erupts on the skin. Elder has also served humankind well in applications for bums, cuts and wounds. It can also be used as a sore throat gargle or for inflamed gums and mouth tissue. Parts used flowers, berries, leaves. 

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the elder flowers or berries. Add the remaining ingredients. Fill lightly greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees F. for 25 minutes. 

Sift together dry ingredients. Add eggs and liquid. Stir in elder flowers or berries. Mix together. Fry in an oiled pan, turning when bubbles form and then break. Turn and fry on the other side until cooked through. Serve with maple syrup or elderberry sauce. 

Use elder flowers or berries with peppermint, fennel (Foeniculum officinalis), anise (Pimpinellum anisum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) for digestive upsets. 

Simmer some cinnamon Cinnamomum species) bark in 2 cups of water then add 1 tsp. of elder flowers or berries to make a warming tea on chilly days. 

Early farmers in America looked for the appearance of the green immature berries of elder as a signal that now was the time to plant their wheat. In England, the beginning of summer is heralded when the elder flowers bloom. When the berries are ripe it signals summer s end. Elder has a short life span, but it easily self-sows and will continue growing in the same area for many years. 

These properties of the flowers are obtained from infusions of 1 ounce to 1 pint of water in wineglass doses. It is used, often in conjunction with Peppermint and Yarrow, chiefly for the reduction of feverish colds, but inflamed conditions of the eyes are also found to yield to bathing with the warm Elder flower infusion. Although the medicinal qualities are weaker in the berries than in the flowers, the popular Elder berry wine is widely used as part of the treatment for colds and influenza. 

There is nothing quite as refreshing as the delicately scented taste of an elder cordial, particularly if it is homemade using hand-picked elder flowers. Clusters of the small white or cream flowers appear in late spring use freshly-picked flowers for the best taste. Or gather fresh berries and make all sorts of alternative flavors. 

In a clean pan, bring the water to the boil. Meanwhile, slice the lemon thinly and place in a large glass bowl along with the elder flower heads or berries, sugar, and tartaric/citric acid. 

Only the blue elderberries are edibleSambucus canadensis and S. carulea (found in North America) as well as the European variety S. nigra. The red elder Sambucus pubens has toxic red berries and flowers that are conical rather than flat-topped clusters. "Blue is true and red is dead," is a popular expression among herbal harvesters. 

Sambucus nigra. Grows to 30 feet, also called "European elder," or "black elder." Berries used in wine making flowers and berries used medicinally. Edible. 

Conditions in which elderberries may be inappropriate include migraine headache accompanied by weakness and deficiency. If elder makes the condition worse, stop using it. Also, if drying and fluid loss worsen a condition, it is best to not use elder. Pregnant women should use only the elder s flowers and cooked edible berries. 

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