Elder ~ Sambucus spp.

Elder

Latin name: Sambucus spp.

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Part used: flowers

Habitat: Europe, British Isles

Main constituents: triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid), fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, palmitic acids), flavonoids

Energetics: cooling, drying, mucilaginous, sl. sweet

Main herbal actions: expectorant, diuretic, alterative

Minor herbal actions: diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, nervine, laxative

Main medicinal uses: coughs, colds, flu, chronic sinusitis, spasmodic croup,

Minor medicinal uses: night sweats

Preparations: infusion: 1 Tbsp/cup water (typical), 30-90 grams qd in acute cold/flu (Khalsa); 1:0.7 tincture: 10-60 gtt qd-qid

Contraindications: can be irritating to GI tract

Toxicity: unripe fruit, leaves, bark, and root can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, tachycardia, and convulsions

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations
 

Module 2 lecture

• Latin name: Sambucus spp. Sambucus nigra
• Blue Elder or Black Elder
• Eurpoe, British Isles, Naturalized to the USA
• Cooling, drying, slightly sweet
• Part used: Flower
• Expectorant, diuretic, alternative, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, nervine, laxative, sinusitis, flu with fever
• Upward moving energy to cool sinuses and to reduce fever
• Used as tea
• Elder Berry has a long history in European Herbalism, especially in Germany
• Recent research – anti-viral
• Sambucol is a dominant brand, there is also a syrup.
• Not a commercial berry in North America, just a yard plant.