Elderberry & Flower - Your ally when having a cold

ELDERBERRY and FLOWER monograph

botanical name: Sambucus nigra, sambucus spp.

Common Name

Elder, black elder, common elder, elderberry, elkhorn, sweet elder.

Family

Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae)

Native To

Europe and parts of Asia and Africa

Parts Used

Flower (dried), berry (cooked)

Harvesting Guidelines

Best Time to Harvest:Elderflowers should be harvested when they are fully in bloom, usually in late spring or early summer, to ensure they contain the highest levels of beneficial compounds. When harvesting elderberries, wait until they are fully ripe, as unripe berries can be toxic. Harvest elderflowers by cutting the flower clusters at the base of the stem. For elderberries, remove the berry stalk and separate the berries carefully from the stems to prevent damage.

Drying:To preserve the beneficial properties of the elderflowers, air-dry them in a cool, shaded area, away from direct sunlight. This helps maintain the delicate compounds present in the flowers, ensuring their effectiveness in medicinal preparations. Similarly, elderberries should be dried carefully, ideally in a dehydrator or by air-drying, to maintain their potency.

Storage:Once dried, both elderflowers and elderberries should be stored in airtight containers, such as glass jars, to protect them from light, moisture, and air, which can degrade their medicinal value over time.

Historical and Cultural Uses

Folklore and Mythology:Elder has long been associated with magical and protective properties in European folklore. In various traditions, the elder tree was believed to house a spirit or goddess. One such figure is Elda Mor, the Elder Tree Mother, who is often referred to as the guardian of elder’s medicinal power. In Germany, she is known as Frau Holle or Frau Holunder. According to legend, she can heal those who treat the elder tree with respect, but can also harm those who do not. This myth emphasizes the importance of respecting the plant and its protective energy.

Indigenous Use:Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Lenape, used various parts of the elder plant for medicinal purposes. Elderberry teas and infusions were commonly used to treat rheumatism and colds, while elderflower teas acted as diaphoretics, helping to reduce fever. The plant's leaves and bark were used in salves to treat skin problems and infections, while elderberries were made into decoctions for liver complaints, jaundice, and digestive issues. The elders of the Creek tribe even used elder root poultices to alleviate swollen breasts and promote healing.

Modern Use:Today, elderberry and elderflower are widely used in herbal medicine for their immune-boosting properties. Elderberry is particularly renowned for its ability to combat colds and flu, while elderflower is used to treat conditions like sinusitis, congestion, and respiratory issues. Elderflower tea and elderberry syrup are common remedies during cold and flu season, and they are considered safe and effective for both children and adults.

Medicinal Uses

Key Actions:

Alterative: Supports the body's natural detoxification processes.
Aperient: Gently stimulates bowel movements and eases constipation.
Astringent: Helps tighten tissues and reduce excess moisture, especially in the skin (elderflowers have mild astringent properties).
Demulcent: Soothes irritation and inflammation, particularly in the respiratory and digestive systems.
Diaphoretic: Induces sweating, helping to alleviate fever and promote detoxification (primarily from elderflowers).
Diuretic: Promotes urination, helping the body to expel excess fluid and toxins.
Emollient: Increases skin hydration by reducing moisture loss, making it useful for dry or irritated skin.
Expectorant: Assists in expelling mucus from the airways, making it valuable for treating coughs and congestion.
Laxative: Helps loosen stools and promote regular bowel movements.

Primary Uses in Herbal Medicine:

Immune Support: Elderberry is a well-known remedy for boosting the immune system, particularly for preventing and treating cold and flu symptoms. It is rich in flavonoids, which have antiviral and antioxidant properties, making it a popular choice for preventing upper respiratory infections.
Fever Reduction: Elderflower is commonly used as a diaphoretic to reduce fever, especially during colds and flu. By inducing sweating, elderflower helps to lower body temperature and detoxify the body.
Respiratory Health: Both elderflower and elderberry are used to treat respiratory conditions. Elderflower can reduce sinus inflammation, alleviate nasal congestion, and soothe sore throats. Elderberry has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms.
Skin Care: Elderflower’s mild astringency and emollient properties make it useful in skincare for soothing irritation, treating eczema, and reducing redness or inflammation.
Digestive Health: Elderberry and elderflower decoctions have been used to address issues like constipation, indigestion, and liver complaints.

Scientific Findings

Studies on Elderberry's Effectiveness:

A study published in The Journal of International Medical Research in 2004 demonstrated that elderberry extract significantly reduced the duration and severity of symptoms in patients with influenza, including cough, sore throat, and fever (1).
Another study found that elderberry extract enhanced immune function by increasing the production of certain cytokines, which are proteins that regulate the immune response, thus offering a promising natural alternative to over-the-counter flu medications (2).
Research on elderflower has shown its anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in treating sinus inflammation and congestion. A study published in Phytotherapy Research indicated that elderflower extract could help alleviate symptoms of sinusitis and rhinitis (3).

Adult Dose

Tea: 1-2 teaspoons of dried elderflowers per cup of boiling water, steeped for 10-15 minutes, taken three times per day.
Tincture: 2-4 mL (1:5 in 40% alcohol) elderflower tincture, taken three times per day.
Syrup: 2-3 teaspoons elderberry syrup, taken 3-4 times per day.
Decoction: 1-1.5 g dried elderberries per day, divided into 1-3 doses.

Safety:

Elderflowers are generally safe for children, while ripe fresh berries are safe in moderation. However, caution should be taken with elder bark, leaves, roots, seeds, and unripe berries, as they contain alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems. It's important to note that these reactions only occur when these plant parts are used fresh. (4)

Energy: Cooling

While elderflowers and ripe elderberries are generally considered safe, caution should be taken with certain plant parts. Elder bark, leaves, roots, seeds, and unripe berries contain alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as affect the central nervous and respiratory systems. These toxic compounds are only present in the raw, unripe parts of the plant and can be safely avoided by using only fully ripe berries and properly prepared elderflower remedies.

References

Zakay-Rones, Z., Thom, E., Shapira, C., & et al. (2004). "Elderberry Extract in the Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infections: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study." The Journal of International Medical Research, 32(2), 133-140.
Black, L. L., & et al. (2009). "Effect of Elderberry Extract on Immune Function in Humans." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(10), 1055-1061.
Zeng, X., Luo, Z., & et al. (2011). "Anti-inflammatory Properties of Elderflower Extract." Phytotherapy Research, 25(5), 660-664.
Kavasch, E. Barrie. (2013). “Ethnobotany of Elderberry,” The Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Elderberry.
Chevallier, A. (2000). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing.
Yance, D. R. (2009). Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: The Herbalist’s Guide to Healing with Plant Medicine (pp. 408-409).

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