Sambucus, Elder

Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Della Materia Medicinale,
Andrea Valuassori, 1562
'Common' and 'Jagged' Elder
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1804
Koehler's Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887
Botanical name:
Sambucus nigra

Parts used:
Flower; Fruit; Bark

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Pungent, Sweet

Classifications:
LEAF, FLOWER:
2B ATTENUATERS.    2F. PURIFYING.    2J. RAREFYING.    2L. EMOLLIENT.    2Q. ANODYNE
3A. SUDORIFICS & DIAPHORETICS                   
4a. CEPHALIC
BERRY:
3C. ALEXIPHARMIC
ROOT BARK:
3O. EMETIC

Uses:
FLOWERS:
1. Clears Wind and Heat, Resists Poison:
-Colds, Influenza, Sore Throat, Sinusitis, Nasal congestion or discharge. (Commission E approved for Colds; BHP for Fever)

2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-excessive phlegm with Cough and Wheezing as seen in Bronchitis, Asthma and Pneumonia.

3. Clears Wind-Heat, Stops Spasms:
-Epilepsy; Headaches, Spasms, and twitching of the Eyelids.

4. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Swellings:
-Phlegm swellings including Scrofula, swollen Glands and Nodes.

5. Externally:
-Elder Flower Water was much used for the skin as a cosmetic
-flowers were used in preparations for Erysipelas, Burns and Scalds.
-various skin inflammations
-Mouth Ulcers (as a gargle).


ELDER BERRIES:
1. Clears Wind and Damp, Eases Pain, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, difficulty Urinating, Gravel and Stones.

2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-Wine of Elder berries has been used for Asthma, especially when a little Cinnamon is added.

3. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Swellings:
-Phlegm swellings including Scrofula, swollen Glands and Nodes.

4. Moves the Bowels:
-Syrup of the Fruit is used as a mild Laxative

5. Tonic:
-‘An extract composed of the berries greatly assists longevity’. (John Evelyn)

6. Externally:
-juice or other preparations of the berries were much used as a folk remedy for burns and scalds in some parts; also for various skin diseases
-berry juice is applied to Warts (Culpeper)
-Eye diseases; it has been credited with restoring sight to the blind in some cases (esp. berries, both internally and externally).
-juice of the Berries boiled with honey is dropped into ears for for earache.


NOTE:
1. Schroder relays the story of Dr. Martin Bolchwizt, who, in his Anatomy of the Elder, said the Elder could be used to cure most diseases. This has been carried on today where it is often said ‘the Elder is a medicine chest in itself’.
2. All parts have an 'opening' (purgative) effect. The Leaf and Flower are mildest in function, and principally promote Sweat. Next the Berries which are best to promote Urine; the Bark or Root bark is more powerful being laxative, and in full doses the inner bark is a hydrogogue cathartic.
3. For some indications, different authors used different parts for the same purposes, especially to promote Urine which can be treated by any part of the plant.
4. In Summary:
i. Flowers are principally Diaphoretic, used in acute diseases and Fevers, as well as Cough, Bronchitis, Sore Throat, Asthma and Wheezing
ii. Juice, Tincture or Infusion of the Flowers are sedative and relieve pain
iii. Leaf in general can be used as the Flower, but are stronger to promote Urine.
iii. Berries promote Urine, are slightly tonic, and also resolve Swellings.
iv. Bark and Root bark are Diuretic in Edema and Urinary disorders, and Arthritic disorders. Full doses are Cathartic

Main Combinations:
ELDER FLOWER:
1. Colds, Flu; and to promote Sweat:
i. traditionally Elder flower ... available in PRO version
ii. Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
iii. Heat-type Cold or Flu, Elder flower ... available in PRO version
iv. Species Diaphoretic, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
v. Sudorific Vinegar, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
2. Acute Viral Infections, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
3. Chicken Pox, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
4 Stuttgart Water tea: Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
5. Promote Urine and Break stones, combine Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
6. Kneipps Blood Purification Tea: Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
7. Arthritis, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
8. Rheumatism, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
9. Scrofula, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version
10. Cancer, Elder flower with ... available in PRO version

ELDER BERRY:
1. Rheumatism, combine Elder berry with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
ELDER FLOWER:
Wine for Catarrh
Decoction for Arthritis
Sudorific Vinegar
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)


Cautions:
1. Berries and Flowers are generally Safe.
2. The Leaves 'trouble the Stomach' (Salmon)
3. Root bark should not be used in Pregnancy or Yin deficiency.

Main Preparations used:
FLOWER: Distilled Water of the Flowers, Spirit of the Flowers (fermented), Wine of the Flowers, Infused Oil, and a Distilled Oil.
BERRY: Rob (pulp of the Ripe berries), Tincture, Spirit