(Latin name - Sambucus nigra)
It is most commonly called Elder, Elderberry, Black Elder, European Elder, European Elderberry, European Black Elderberry, Common Elder, or Elder Bush
General News
It is a shrub or small tree with family Przewiertniowatych (Caprifoliacae). In Poland, the shrub is very common. Reaches a height of 5 m. The radial flowers, white, diameter 6 - 9 mm with a strong unpleasant smell. Fruit spherical, 3 - 6 seed, almost black, diameter 4 - 6 mm and very similar to blueberries.
Raw material
For medical purposes is held in June and dried flowers blooming on the shelves, spread a thin layer in shady and airy. After drying, rub the flowers through the sieve and reject the stalks. In August, ripe fruit is collected when you will become a shiny black color. Cut down a whole bunch of fruit and dried in a heated dryer. Then rub through the sieve and reject the stalks. Importance in medicine are also listed.
The active compounds
The lilac flowers THERE flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, astragalina), acids wielofenolowe (coffee and chlorogenic), organic acids (valeric and ferulic), tannins, traces of essential oil, known closer relationship diaphoretic, sambunigryny glycoside breakdown products and minerals
Action
Flowers elderberry diaphoretic function, as a result of the centers regulating the secretion of sweat. They have diuretic properties, which is attributed to the presence of flavonoids. Seal the walls of blood vessels and increase their flexibility, thanks to the presence of compounds with the properties of vitamin P (rutin). Also prevent the penetration of plasma and red blood cells on the outside drodnych arteries (capillaries). Elderberry fruits have a mild diaphoretic, diuretic and laxative. Remove from the body with the sweat, urine and feces harmful products of metabolism and exogenous toxins - bacterial, viral and others. Have analgesic consisting of delaying the response to pain of central origin of the brain). Was detected in the leaves of the lilac substances which increase resistance to infectious diseases.
Adverse reactions
In therapeutic doses does not cause material adverse effect
Application
Decoctions of elder flowers is used internally as a diaphoretic in diseases with elevated body temperature, as a diuretic and in diseases characterized by increased permeability of blood capillaries - catarrh, swelling. Externally used to gargle in tonsillitis, inflammation of the mouth and throat inflammation compresses the conjunctiva and eyelids.
Decoctions of the fruits is given orally as a detoxifying and easy removal from the body szkdliwych waste products - especially in rheumatic disease, infectious diseases, certain skin diseases. They are used as an analgesic sciatica, trigeminal nerve inflammation and neurological pain.
Preparations
Infusion of elder flowers
1 - 1 1 / 2 tablespoons of flowers pour a glass of cold water, bring to a boil and simmer gently, covered for 3 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes. and strain. Drink 1 / 3 - 1 / 2 cup 2 - 3 times a day between meals as a diuretic, and as a diaphoretic and antipyretic in the evening after meal drink a glass of decoction with 1 - 2 tablespoons raspberry syrup.
Decoction of the fruits of elderberry
1 - 2 tablespoons fruit Pour 1 cup cold water. Heat to boiling and cook slowly, covered 5 minutes. Odstwiić for 15 min. and strain. Drink 1 / 3 cup 2 - 4 times a day between meals as a diuretic, or 1 / 2 - 2 / 3 cup after meals to relieve pain and facilitate defecation. The analgesic effect can be enhanced by adding 1 - 2 tablespoons of fruit juice elderberry. In the case of neuralgia or migraine draw decoction with 4 tablespoons of fruit in 1 1 / 2 cup fruit lilac.
Elderberry fruit juice
Ripe, washed and picked fruit elderberry warm in pot, stirring constantly, until they burst and let go juice. Grind it into pulp and then small portions of płuciennym squeeze bag. The resulting juice, allow to stand, strain, add sugar in a ratio of 1: 1, slow cook a few minutes and pour into dish. Other pulp put into a container, add sugar, cook slowly a few minutes and transferred to a jam jar. Juice drink 2 - 3 times a day 1 - 2 tablespoons as an aid in nerve pain, inflammation of nerve roots, including influenza, colds, digestive disturbance and light. Plum drink for the same purpose 1 - 4 times a day after a spoon.
