Herb of the Month...Sambucus spp... Elder!

So, for the first herb in the series I have decided to highlight Elder. Tis the season...Every year I make at least a gallon of elderberry syrup to see myself, my friends and my clients through the cold and flu season, where I feel elder can be of the most benefit. It is also the time of year that the smell of elder flower tea can be sniffed down the road...emanating from these parts! As the months carry on, with each herb, I will break them down into a modified classic "Materia Medica", that will include: Botanical Name, Family Name, Common Name, Parts Used, Physiological Actions, Specific Indications, Contraindications and Drug Interactions and Preparation and Dosage. All of the following info stems from either my experience with the plant or trusted herbalists/teachers' experience with the specific plant. And then of course I will rant a bit!! ELDER Botanical Name: Sambucus nigra, Sambucus canadensis Family Name: Caprifoliaceae Common Names: Elder, Elderberry, Black Elder, American elder, Flor Sauco Parts Used: flowers, berries (the leaves, bark, and root have a history of being used though can be toxic if not dosed properly and carry along side effects, so i will stick with what i know and use...the flowers and berries) Physiological Actions: Flower: diaphoretic (promotes perspiration), anticatarrhal (help the body remove excess mucus, either in the sinus area or other parts of the body), antispasmodic, alterative, mild nervine relaxant, diuretic, gentle stimulant. Berries: diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, antirheumatic. Specific Indications: The elder tree encompasses many uses from berry to root...it was often considered a "medicine chest of the country people". As I mentioned earlier I will focus on the flowers and berries, my familiarity. The flowers, delicate beings, are extremely useful for many things from flower water for the complexion or as tea to drive out most any fever and clear the nasal and respiratory passageways of mucus build up. (Yummy!) Starting simple... Elder flower water can be made by filling a quart mason jar (or smaller) with fresh flowers, covering with near boiling water then cool slightly. When cooled slightly, add about 1-2 oz's of clear alcohol (vodka works well). Cover with a cloth and allow to cool completely and infuse for at least 4-6 hours, then strain, pour into your bottle of choice and voila...one of nature's best complexion remedies for anything from breakouts to sunburns or simply to keep the skin healthy and glowing! Don't get caught up in the millions of products laden with crap, "natural" or not, and just make some elder flower water to splash on daily! Elder flower tea has a multitude of uses, it should essentially be a household staple for anyone interested in incorporating herbs into their life and health. Elder flowers (dried) are very useful as a decongestant, with a long history, for reducing and removing phlegm from the nasal and respiratory passages and helps promote expectoration from the respiratory tract. So... good for hay fever, sinusitis, and the "wet" cold or flu. I have found it to be very relieving for those who suffer from plugged ears/deafness from this "stuffiness". Elder flower is also ideal for the common cold and for influenza, or the flu. For colds and flu's, the hot tea of the dried flower is the preferred preparation. Elder makes an excellent remedy for these "cold/damp" climates and conditions. Best taken during the first signs of achiness, sore throat, chills and fever...elder will help shorten the duration and intensity of colds and flu's. Elder flower also has excellent diaphoretic properties. For fevers, I have not seen any herb work as well as elder will, whatever the cause of the fever. In these instances, drink a cup or two of the hot tea just before going to bed, or while in bed...and elder will stimulate the circulation and promote free perspiration while cleansing the system of infection, by eliminating heat and toxins through the pores of the skin. I often suggest folks take a shower upon waking to cleanse these toxins from the surface of their skin. Elder combined with peppermint (and yarrow flower if available) is a great tasting, relaxing tea blend for fevers and the initial stages of influenza. Elder flowers also stimulate the action of the kidneys, our body's natural filter system, and help to remove edema especially when focused in the legs and ankles. Through the action of relieving fluid retention in the body, the flowers are also useful in reducing inflammation associated with arthritis, gout and rheumatism. (Use caution in large and excessive quanities...b/c of the diuretic effect, hypokalemia may result) Cold elder flower tea is extremely useful as an eyewash to relieve inflammation and irritation associated with conjunctivitis and sore eyes. I have used the cool tea as an eyewash after long motorcycle rides when your eyes are tired, red, sore and dry. I would also imagine it to be useful for snowboarders, surfers and the like after a long day out in the elements. Berries: The berries have similar actions as the flowers , though seem to possess a stronger quality as an antiviral. They act as an excellent general antiviral, possessing the ability to enhance cytokine production (cytokines are small proteins which mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation and are produced in response to an immune stimulus...such as an invading virus). Multiple studies suggest they may inactivate flu viruses by blocking them from replicating and by strengthening cell membranes so as prevent virus penetration of the cell. Not only are they useful as a tea, a syrup or an extract for colds and flu's but I have also seen them slow down herpes cycles and flare ups and spread apart acute episodes. Also of note, the berries are rich in organic iron and make an excellent tonic (great combined with blackberries for this purpose) to build up the blood and combat anemia. I like to add it to mineral rich teas or tea blends for osteoporosis. Elder Berry Syrup...an excellent and tasty tonic for the cold and flu season or to take when you've picked up a bug that's been going around. If buying a syrup or liquid preparation, consider the sweetener used and try to avoid sugar or sorbitol sweeteners. Making your own is easy!... Contact me for my favorite recipe! Then of course their is elder berry wine, jam... Contraindications/Side Effects: No drug interactions have been noted. As mentioned above, use caution in large quantities b/c of the potential for hypokalemia (decreased potassium levels in the blood) due to the diuretic action of the plant. Use caution with children with a history of high fevers and convulsions as elder may raise the body temperature to promote perspiration. Consult your local herbalist if you are pregnant or breast feeding. And I have to say...to cover my ass... *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and therefore are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease*