Elderberry flowers

It has been of interest to identily and characterize the molecules responsible for type I allergy to elderberry. ID gel electrophoresis of elderberry flowers, pollen and berry extracts showed a very complex protein composition (Fig. 2). Under nonreducing conditions clearly two dominant gel bands at 33 and 66 kDa were visible after Coomassie staining, which coincide at 33 kDa under reducing circumstances... 

Fig. 3. (A) Coomassie staining of the gel-separated elderberry flower extract exhibited five spots at 33 kDa (marked a-e) and three spots at 28 kDa (marked f-g). (B) Subsequent immunoblotting pointed out that most distinct spot at 33 kDa has a p7 of 7.1 and correlates very well with spot d on the Coomassie-stained gel.

Fig. 4. (A) Positive-ion MALDI mass spectrum in the linear TOF mode of the intact allergen purified from elderberry flower extract. The peak at 33.2 kDa is either the doubly charged molecular ion of the allergen or representing the [M+H] ion of the subunit of the allergen. (B) Blowup of the asymmetric peak at m/z 33214 (gray hue) exhibiting a small peak marked with an asterisk at the trailing edge (Am = +0.5 kDa).

Elderberries were listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1831 and the flowers from 1831 to 1905. Elder is still an official herb in the British Pharmacopoeia. Elder is grown on most German properties and the German Office of Health recommends elder flower tea for the treatment of colds with fever. 

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. 

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. 

Rejuvenative. Elderberry wine and jam have long been given to the elderly to help them feel younger. 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. 

Both elder flowers and elderberries can be used as teas, tinctures, syrups and tablets for children for colds, sniffles and fever. The syrup is especially effective to lessen the severity of an oncoming flu. It is pleasant -tasting and most children like it. Avoid giving anything with honey to children under one year of age. 

Elderberries are considered excellent sources of vitamins A and C. The high potassium phosphate content in the flowers may be part of what helps elder calm the nerves. The potassium sulfate present in the flowers, leaves and bark may be a factor in why elder helps relieve excess mucus. 

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. 

Now place the mix into a double boiler to avoid burning the bottom. Cook 5 minutes while stirring constantly. Stir in the elderberries, lemon juice and grated ginger. Cook 5 more minutes. Pour into serving cups and chill. Garnish with a sprig of mint of an edible pansy flower. 

Elderberry has been referred to as "English grapes," since it is so popular as a wine ingredient. In Kent, England, elder orchards have been cultivated for the purpose of wine making. Elder flowers have been placed in wine vessels to improve the flavor of the finished product. Elder blossoms have also been infused into ales. Elderberries are often added to clarets and Bordeaux wines. Historically, it was considered improper for ladies to drink alcohol. However, elder and a dandelion wine were deemed permissible as they have therapeutic value. 

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. 

Heptanal (aliphatic aldehyde) Sambucus nigra (elderberry) (Caprifoliaceae) [flower], Monarda punctata (Lamiaceae) OD-R... 

EASTERN CANADA, NORTHERN UNITED STATES, CENTRAL EUROPE A staple of aboriginal lore, black elderberry is often called natures medicine cabinet in recognition of the numerous phytochemicals found in the fruits beautiful, fragrant white flower, deep purple berry skin, pulp, seeds, leaves, and tree bark. 

All parts of the plant have medicinal uses in many traditions all over Europe. Stembark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and root extracts are used to treat upper respiratory cold infections, fever but also stomach ache, constipation, diarrhea [5, 6, 7]. The flowers are said to have diaphoretic, anti-catarrhal, expectorant, diuretic and topical anti-inflammatory actions [7], Leaves and inner bark have also been used for their purgative, emetic, diuretic, laxative, topical emollient, expectorant, and diaphoretic action [7]. The Austrian traditional medicine uses the elderberries prepared as tea, jelly, juice or syrup to cure viral infections, fever, flu, colds, respiratory tract, mouth, gastrointestinal tract problems but also skin diseases [8],... 

Z)- and pyranoid 3R,6R)- Z)- and (3S,6S)-(Z)-linalool oxides (8-32) are odorants of jasmine tea, aromatic wines, elderberry bush flowers and linden honey. In grapes, (-)-(Z)-rose oxide from (-)-citroneUol is analogously produced. Rose oxide is also a component of rose and geranium essential oils (8-32). Nerol oxide in rose oil is a racemate. 

In this chapter we explore the role mass spectrometry plays in the identification of particular allergens and of the reaction the human body stages to the flowers and other parts of the elderberry tree. The presented approach can be viewed as a case study for the use of mass spectrometry in these endeavors. 

Fruits and flowers of elderberry trees are widely used in herbal medicine as remedies for cold, influenza, and catarrhal inflammation. Type I allergy to this plant has been suspected by clinicians over a long period of time but has never been further studied. 

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