Elderberry

Elderberry

Shrub or tree height from 2 to 8 m.

Sambucus nigra belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae. It is found in the undergrowth of deciduous forests in the south-west and south of the European part of Russia, the Caucasus and southern Siberia. Thermophilic species, tolerates dry air, shade-tolerant. Growing very fast, but requires fresh and fertile soils, distributed elderberry bush in old parks, in gardens, in the countryside near dwellings.

The tree trunk and older branches ash- gray color with a cracked crust and the core branches of white. The leaves are opposite, paripinnate, long-pointed, serrated, with 5-7 ovate leaves. The flowers are yellowish-white, small, fragrant, collected in large flat -flowered corymbose panicles (inflorescences). Black elderberry blossoms in June.

The leaves contain resins having a laxative action. In the fresh leaves found ascorbic acid and carotene in the bark of branches - essential oil. Elder flowers and flower buds contain the essential oil, valeric acid, tannin, fruit - ascorbic acid and carotene.

Fruits-black, small, shiny red drupes with purple juicy flesh, sweet-sour, gathered in large clusters. Peduncle and painted red. Berries ripen in August. The fruits are hanging after the falling of the leaves.

Dried elder predominantly in the sun for 2-3 days.

The berries of black elder consumed fresh. They are trained marmalade, jam, wine, jelly. Berries contain a dye, so the juice can be used to color the fruit and berry juices and wines.

Therapeutic use of elderberry

* In medicine used young leaves, flowers, fruits and bark of elderberry as an astringent, diaphoretic and diuretic agents, as well as mouthwash and poultices.

* In rheumatoid arthritis, gout and arthritis drink a decoction of elder flowers.

* In chronic constipation cooked in honey and taken as a laxative young spring leaves.

* In rheumatism and neuralgia use fresh berries.

* Is prepared from the dried berries and jelly is used as a laxative.

* For constipation take the infusion of fruit. 10 g of dried fruits soaked in 200 g of boiled and cooled water for drinking 150-200 g once daily.

WARNING!!!

Sambucus nigra, unlike elderberry red fruits of which are considered toxic, do not contain any harmful substances.

Red elderberry is different from the black elderberry greenish white flowers which smell, and red fruits.

Elderberry red can not be used in any form.