Black elderberry medicinal properties photo. Black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Elder bark medicinal properties
Black elderberry is a deciduous shrub or tree from the Adox family, 2-6 m high with healing properties. Elderberry can help with colds, get rid of coughs and improve digestion. These are its main useful properties, but far from the only ones.
The benefits of black elderberry are due to the high amount of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants in the fruit of the shrub. It can help prevent flu or colds by making your own elderberry syrup.
Elderberry preparations are a popular traditional medicine. Taking elderberry syrup at the first sign of a cold or flu can help prevent infection.
There are different types of elderberry. Elderberry with black berries is a healing plant, unlike elderberry with red berries, which is best avoided due to its poisonous properties. As you can see, useful properties are visible only in the black color of the berries.
Black elderberry has long been known; among the population, it has found medicinal and culinary uses. However, since Ports of red elderberries are poisonous and should not be consumed, especially when raw. Red elderberry will only bring harm, it is better not to touch it at all.
There are a lot of rumors and speculation about the health benefits and dangers of black elderberries. Let's try to understand them and find out what kind of berry this is and what its useful properties are.
What is Buzina?
Shrub, up to 7 meters high, belongs to the genus of flowering plants. Inflorescences, and as they ripen, berries are used as medicines. Elderberry is native to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.
It is a deciduous plant with white and useful flowers. The berries turn green, red and black as they ripen. The shrub is usually found in forests and living plantings - hedges.
Black fruits contain antioxidants, vitamins A, B and C, as well as potassium. Elderberry fruit extracts help to strengthen the immune system, relying on medicinal properties.
Before the elderberries grow and ripen, fragrant white flowers appear on the tree. Scented flowers also contain antioxidants that aid digestion, help with infections, and help get rid of colds faster.
The therapeutic uses of elderberry include making a healthy syrup or juice. Elderberry extracts have antioxidant properties that stimulate the body's immune response. This is one of the reasons why practitioners recommend elderberry supplements to prevent flu infection.
Some parts of the tree are poisonous and should be used with care. Eating raw berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, cooked black elderberry is completely safe to eat, as the heat destroys the poisonous substances contained in the seeds.
Elderberry has a sweet taste, but at the same time it is very tart, especially when eaten raw. Whether you choose to make elderberry syrup, elderberry tea, or elderberry wine, you can adjust the sweetness during the process to your liking.
Health benefits of elderberry
There are enough facts about the benefits of elderberry. In addition to being nutritious, the berries have medicinal properties that prevent the development of cold and flu symptoms. Useful trace elements keep the heart healthy, fight inflammation and infections.
Flowers, berries and even elderberry bark have long been used to diagnose and treat diseases, and knowledge of its benefits has been passed down from generation to generation. Ripe black fruits are characterized by properties that have been used since time immemorial in the treatment of hepatitis and peptic ulcers.
For the winter, the elderberry was dried, which made it possible to exploit the benefits of the berries in anticipation of the next harvest. Of course, fresh berries are more effective and they even cope with neuralgia.
Dried berries help in the treatment of a rare and dangerous disease - malaria. The medicinal properties of elderberry are so great that there is a recommendation for its use as an additional healing agent even for stomach cancer and skin cancer.
Nutrients
The valuable berry contains vitamin C, dietary fiber and antioxidants in the form of phenolic acids, flavonols and anthocyanins. During the flowering period, it is advisable not to miss the collection of inflorescences - they are especially rich in flavonols.
Elderberry is a very low-calorie product, per 100 gr. black berries account for: 73 calories, 18.4 grams of carbohydrates and less than 1 gram of fat and protein. Nutrient's main benefits. Elderberry are:
- Vitamin C: 100 grams of fruit contains 6-35 mg of vitamin C, which is up to 60% of the recommended daily intake.
- Cellulose: Elderberries contain 7 g of fiber per 100 g of fresh berries, which is about 25% of the recommended daily intake.
- Phenolic acids: The compounds are famous for their antioxidant properties. Effectively, level the damage from the processes occurring in the human body, which are invariably associated with the oxidation reaction.
- Flavonoids: Known as plant pigments since time immemorial. They are abundant in black fruits, and their value lies in their antioxidant properties. Flavonoids include quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin. They neutralize the action of free radicals - aggressive oxidizing agents that damage cells. For reference, inflorescences contain 10 times more flavonoids than berries.
- Anthocyanins: a group of water-soluble pigments that color berries, fruits and vegetables in bright colors. Due to the bactericidal properties, anthocyanins can destroy various types of harmful bacteria and fungi. Man cannot produce them on his own. Their intake is completely dependent on food. Anthocyanins restore the immune system, help a person fight infections.
Health Benefits of Elderberry
So why is elderberry considered good for human health if fresh berries can cause intoxication? To get an answer, you need to understand the medicinal properties of the product and evaluate their effect on the human body.
The immune system
Elderberries are rich in flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, which are responsible for their dark purple (almost black) color. These powerful ones help the immune system to be strong and resilient.
Studies have shown that the anthocyanins in elderberry stimulate the production of cytokines - proteins that act as messengers in the immune system - awakening and strengthening the body's immune response. Cytokines play a critical role in the immune system's response to disease and act at the hormonal level.
Cytokines can be both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory, depending on what our body needs at the moment. Cytokines are released by immune cells either directly into the bloodstream or locally in body tissue during an immune response.
Black elderberry helps you recover faster from colds and flu
The humble elderberry is perhaps the most widely used in the treatment of colds and influenza conditions. There is a lot of evidence for its effectiveness.
Tiny elderberries are believed to contain antiviral agents, compounds so strong that they can easily deactivate viruses. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own, and in order to do so, they need to get inside a healthy cell.
Viruses are cleverly coated with something called "haemagglutinin spikes" that help them break through the cell wall. These viral spikes are also coated with enzymes that the virus uses to break down the cell wall.
Elderberry contains high concentrations of bioflavonoids, which appear to inhibit the action of this enzyme, thus inactivating viruses and making them unable to penetrate the cell wall and multiply.
Acne treatment
Elderberries are high in flavonoids, which means they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They help protect healthy cells from harmful free radicals, helping a person stay healthy.
For example, using elderberry extracts when washing your face can help fight acne. This statement is based on the antiseptic qualities of black berries.
Wrinkle reduction
Elderberry contains a large amount of vitamin A. Thanks to it, elderberry can soothe the skin, lighten the appearance of age spots, and most importantly, prevent and smooth wrinkles.
How is black elderberry used
Along with traditional medicine, which uses both flowers and berries and bark, official medicine also recognizes the benefits of the product. However, it uses only inflorescences and mature berries.
In both practices, the medicinal properties of the plant are taken into account and used as:
- Urine enhancer. Diuretic tinctures are made from almost all parts of the plant, and sometimes they are used together. The diuretic property of elderberry is mainly used for arterial hypertension and diseases of the cardiovascular system. A diuretic is prescribed in the treatment of the liver and kidneys, especially if the patient has severe swelling.
- Anti-inflammatory drug. Such a drug has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. The drug is prepared using the flowers, leaves and bark of elderberry.
- A laxative that increases intestinal motility and promotes its emptying. Black elderberry syrup is a tactful solution to the delicate topic of constipation.
- Analgesic. Flowers have an analgesic effect, practically a drug of natural origin. Healers use it in the treatment of colds and try to block inflammatory processes with it.
Side effects of elderberry
Black berries definitely have many health benefits. Eating cooked berries or making your own elderberry syrup will help keep you healthy.
Most doctors believe that it is safe to use elderberry in small doses. However, unripe or raw berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Larger amounts can cause even more serious poisoning. Leaves, stems and raw fruits may contain toxins.
If parts of the plant have not been heat treated properly, poor health can result. Some people may be allergic to elderberries.
Can elderberry be taken during pregnancy? To date, there are no studies on the effects of elderberry on pregnant women. Hence, the advice: it is better to completely exclude contact with elderberry during pregnancy.
At the same time, there is no data on the effect of elderberry on lactation and breastfeeding. Even if cooked elderberry is not toxic, doctors still recommend avoiding elderberry while you are breastfeeding.
Black elderberry is one of the most common wild plants in Ukraine and central Russia. It has a rich, valuable composition, while a paradoxical situation has developed in relation to it. Medicinal properties and contraindications of black elder have been studied and formulated insufficiently.
The local population considers the plant poisonous, which is why the crop plantings are systematically destroyed. An erroneous judgment leads to a decrease in the population of culture in places where people live: near settlements and dacha cooperatives.
Features of black elderberry
The shrub plant is included in a large group of elderberry crops, including compact trees and herbs. Previously, elderberry herbaceous, black, variegated belonged to the selected group of Elderberries of the Honeysuckle family. In recent years, the scientific classification of crops has changed. Black, herbaceous and red elderberry, along with about twenty other similar plants, are assigned to the Adox family of flowering plants.
Cultures have pronounced external differences. Elder racemosa (or red) is a shrub that bears fruit with bright red fruits. Popularly recognized as a medicinal plant. Herbaceous is a perennial grass growing up to one meter. Elderberry variegated is a herbaceous shrub with bright green leaves and white veins.
Description
Black elderberry. Botanical illustration from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, 1887.
The black elderberry is a small tree or shrub, reaching a height of no more than seven meters, but more often grows up to two or three meters. It has a neat rounded crown, formed by large elongated leaves. Their surface is dark green, the reverse side may look lighter. The bark is ash-brown in color, on old trees it is covered with deep cracks.
The flowering period begins in May and lasts for two months. At this time, the shrub is covered with numerous inflorescences in the form of flat tassels collected from small rounded flowers. They are beige or yellowish in color, hang down under their own weight and smell of a rich sweetish aroma.
From August to September, instead of flowers, fruits appear - three-stone berries. As they mature, they acquire a purple-black hue, become juicy, grow up to ten millimeters in diameter.
Geography and distribution
The plant has attractive decorative qualities, so it is often planted in gardens and parks. It is unpretentious, grows almost everywhere, including in conditions of lack of sunlight. In its natural environment, it grows in the lower tier of the forest, content with poor lighting penetrating through the crowns of large trees. But with access to the sun, it grows more magnificently, actively, grows to a maximum height.
The largest population of black elderberry is represented in Ukraine. In Russia, it grows in the middle and southern strip, often found in the Caucasus, in the Crimea. Its favorite habitat is broad-leaved forests near natural water bodies. She is tolerant of shrubs, and she forms them herself.
You can find out where the black elderberry grows by carefully familiarizing yourself with the vegetation of forest parks and wooded areas, especially on the banks of rivers, in old parks. As an ornamental and unpretentious plant, it is planted in gardens and cemeteries.
Collection and preparation
The beneficial properties of black elderberry have not been studied enough, therefore, in the choice of raw materials, not everything is clear. The flowers of the plant and its fruits have indisputable benefits. They are recognized by official medicine as medicinal raw materials with a certain effect on the body. People also use other parts of the plant.
- Flowers. The collection is carried out during the period of mass flowering of the culture. Elder flowers are harvested as a whole, cutting off the entire brush with scissors, secateurs. Dry in well-ventilated areas at moderate temperature. The slower the drying process, the higher quality raw materials are obtained in the end. As the flowers dry, the elderberry loses a lot of volume. At the exit, no more than twenty percent of their original mass remains. That is why herbalists consider them especially valuable medicinal raw materials, preferring to use them in the treatment of colds in children.
- Fruit. Fully ripe, deep purple black elderberries are harvested. They require different drying conditions. It is optimal to use ovens with a set temperature of up to sixty-five degrees Celsius. Elderberry berries lose even more volume than flowers. Only fifteen percent of the original volume remains at the exit. However, during the harvesting process, the liquid from the tissues does not completely evaporate. This limits the shelf life of medicinal raw materials. It should be used within six months, and during storage it is necessary to regularly stir up the fruits placed in breathable fabric bags to prevent mold.
- Leaves. Not used in official medicine. Harvesting is carried out simultaneously with the flowers. Torn leaves are laid on paper, placed in the open sun. Lightly dried, they are removed in the shade, where they are dried to the desired state. The output is about twenty-five percent of the raw material.
- Bark and roots. Medicinal raw materials with unconfirmed effectiveness by science. It is rarely collected, as it is not used in common treatment practices. In addition, regular harvesting worsens the condition of the plant population. The bark is harvested in the spring, the roots - in September, after the fruit has been harvested. Raw materials are crushed, dried in an oven, in a hot room or in the open sun.
The collection of flowers of black elderberry and its fruits does not have a negative impact on the state of the crop plantings. But the harvesting of bark and roots, regularly carried out in one area, can lead to the death of shrubs. To preserve the population, it is important to harvest the root and bark from one plant no more than once every three years.
Composition and properties
The medicinal properties of black elderberry are determined by the type of raw material. The composition of all plant organs is very different, as well as the effect on the body.
- Flowers. Contain up to 0.03 percent of essential oils, rutin and mucus. The latter has an enveloping effect, covering the mucous membranes of the respiratory and digestive organs. The flowers also contain tannins, which have an astringent effect in the intestines. The presence of sambunigrin glycoside is a controversial point in the use of raw materials in therapeutic practice. In the body, it breaks down into hydrocyanic acid and glucose, so there is an opinion about the toxicity of raw materials. However, practical confirmation of the danger or, conversely, the safety of flowers has not been received so far.
- Leaves. Contain a range of glycosides, including sambunigrin, and alkaloids. The composition contains toxic sanguinar and coniine, the latter belongs to the list of strong poisons with a neuroparalytic effect. But in small doses, it demonstrates an anti-inflammatory effect, which allows the use of medicinal preparations from the leaves in the form of external lotions for skin treatment.
- Fruit. Attractive vitamin composition. Along with sugars and organic acids, they contain up to fifteen milligrams of ascorbic acid per hundred grams of the product, there are carotene and rutin. The latter substance has vitamin activity, affects the tone of capillaries, reducing their fragility, and increases the elasticity of erythrocytes. In a complex action, rutin preparations have hemostatic, anti-inflammatory activity. The fruits also contain tannins.
- Roots and bark. The former are rich in saponins - substances with a diuretic, expectorant, and bitter effect. The bark is saturated with choline, an indispensable substance involved in fat metabolism in tissues. Also found in it are pectins and tannins, which have astringent and anti-inflammatory activity.
Depending on the disease, various organs of the plant are used in therapy. Medicinal properties remain maximum with a slight heat treatment of raw materials. This is especially true for fruits, so elderberry jam is more of a dietary product than a medicinal product, since the vitamin complex is completely destroyed during cooking.
The use of elderberry
In official medicine, flowers and fruits of a medicinal plant are used. All parts of the culture are used in the folk. The healing properties of black elderberry flowers, leaves, and bark are known.
The following types of effects of medicinal raw materials are manifested.
- Diuretic. All organs of elderberry have it, so infusions are used in the treatment of a range of diseases associated with impaired urine production and to stimulate its discharge.
- Anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic. In the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases, flowers, leaves and bark are used. Fruits have a tonic effect, strengthen the immune system.
- Laxative. Black elderberry syrup from fruits is a well-known folk remedy for constipation. Used in small doses. A similar effect, but in a much larger dose, is demonstrated by the roots and bark. Rarely used as a laxative.
- Painkiller. The action is typical for flowers, so their use in the treatment of colds and associated infectious, inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract is justified.
A diverse effect on the body allows the use of medicinal raw materials for the treatment of a number of diseases: with inflammation of the respiratory system, the genitourinary system and kidneys, with neuralgia, in gynecological practice, for the treatment of chronic constipation.
Infusion of flowers to drink
The composition has an anti-inflammatory and enveloping effect. It can be used from the first days of a cold or viral illness with fever and general malaise. It will help in the treatment of bronchitis, tonsillitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract, complicated by difficult sputum discharge.
Cooking
- Pour the flowers into a thermos. Use two tablespoons.
- Leave to brew for forty minutes.
Drink a medicinal infusion should be during the day. Drink it in small sips as often as possible and stick to bed rest so that the disease quickly subsides.
The same infusion is used as a diuretic in the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, bladder. It can be used by patients with renal insufficiency. The resulting volume of medicinal infusion should be used within two days. Drink it warm in half a glass before meals three times a day.
Infusion of flowers for external treatments
A medicinal infusion of flowers is used externally in gynecological practice. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, is used for vaginal treatments for colpitis, vaginitis.
Cooking
- Put the flowers in a jar. Use four tablespoons.
- Pour boiling water with a volume of five hundred milliliters.
- Leave to brew for twenty minutes.
- Strain.
Use infusion for douching and baths. Before the onset of menstruation, the course should be interrupted for two days. You can continue treatment after menstruation after two to three days.
Laxative infusion of fruits
The use of black elderberry as a laxative will help with chronic constipation. You can prepare the remedy with water or with the addition of honey.
Cooking
- Pour the dried berries into a container. Use three tablespoons.
- Pour boiling water with a volume of two hundred milliliters.
- Cover with a lid, leave to brew for twelve hours.
- Add honey before drinking.
Take a glass in the morning, on an empty stomach. Medicinal infusion stimulates bowel movements and supports immunity.
Leaf poultices
The leaves of the plant have an anti-inflammatory effect, stimulate the healing of wounds of various origins, clean and complicated by a bacterial infection.
Cooking
- Chop dried leaves. Use 3 tablespoons of raw materials.
- Pour in two hundred milliliters of milk.
- Simmer over low heat for ten minutes.
- Cool down.
Lay the boiled leaves on gauze and apply the resulting compress to the affected areas of the skin. The remedy is effective for various injuries, including cuts and burns, boils, and diaper rash of the skin. It will help relieve swelling and pain in hemorrhoids with protruding nodes.
Bark infusion for edema
According to Vladimir Makhlayuk, the author of a collection of medicinal plants and their use in folk medicine, it is black elderberry bark that has a pronounced anti-edematous activity in various kidney diseases. In this case, the drug acts selectively, without affecting the activity of the heart and without affecting the level of blood pressure.
Cooking
- Grind the bark into a powder, use a full teaspoon.
- Pour boiling water with a volume of four hundred milliliters.
- Leave to brew for three hours.
- Strain.
Take the infusion should be up to four times a day for half a glass. It relieves edema well, including those associated with insufficient kidney activity and those caused by cardiac disorders.
The medicinal properties of black elderberry are recognized by official medicine. The flowers and fruits of the plant are used to maintain immunity in colds, as an expectorant in diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In folk medicine, other parts of the plant are also in demand: bark, roots, leaves. They are used in inflammatory processes in the kidneys as a diuretic, and the leaves stimulate the healing of wounds and burns.
A shrub or small tree with black fruits, used for food, ornamental and medicinal purposes as an anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, laxative and diuretic.
Ask the experts
flower formula
The formula of the black elder flower: * Ch5L (5) T5P5.In medicine
Infusions of flowers and fruits of black elderberry are used in medicine for colds as a diaphoretic for chronic bronchitis, tonsillitis; as a diuretic - in diseases of the kidneys, and also as a laxative. A decoction of flowers is used externally for skin rashes, conjunctivitis and inflammatory processes for rinsing the mouth and throat; in the form of lotions, baths and poultices for hemorrhoids, myositis, joint pain, boils, burns and wounds. In homeopathy, the alcohol essence of leaves, flowers is used for arthritis, rheumatism, fevers, respiratory diseases, bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, pharyngitis and neuralgia.
Classification
Black elderberry (lat. Sambucus nigra L.) - belongs to a small number of species (400) of the honeysuckle family (lat. Caprifoliaceae). Elder genus (lat. Sambucus) - widely known, its representatives are large shrubs with pinnate leaves.
Botanical description
Black elderberry is a shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 2 - 6 m. Young branches are green, then turn brownish-gray, with a large number of yellowish lenticels. The leaves are opposite (20-30 cm long), pinnate with 3-7 leaflets on very short petioles, oblong-ovate, long-pointed, with a broadly cuneate base, unequally serrate at the edges. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green, the lower surface is lighter. Stipules fall early. The flowers are small, yellowish-white, sessile or on pedicels, collected in large corymbose inflorescences. The formula of the black elder flower: * Ch5L (5) T5P5. The fruit is a juicy, berry-like drupe. It differs from other species in the black color of the fruit. Flowering in May-June, fruiting in August-September. Black-purple fruits ripen late, at the end of September, sometimes even in November, when the leaves are already turning yellow. Black elder is a shade-tolerant plant. It reproduces vegetatively, by basal offspring and seeds.
Spreading
Black elderberry ( Sambucus nigra L.) is found in the central black earth regions of Russia, mainly in the undergrowth of broad-leaved forests and among shrubs. It is widely distributed in the forests of the southern strip of the European part. It grows wild in the Baltics, from the upper reaches of the Dnieper - south to the Crimea and Transcaucasia. In addition, it is found in Ukraine, in Belarus, in the south-west of Russia, in the south of Siberia. It grows less often in coniferous forests, among shrubs, in overgrown cutting areas, in forest plantations and forest belts. Bred in parks and gardens.
Distribution regions on the map of Russia.
Procurement of raw materials
Flowers are used as the main medicinal raw material, less often fruits, leaves, young branches, bark and roots. The flowers are harvested during the period of full bloom before the corolla shedding. Dry in special dryers at a temperature of 30-35 ° C or in the shade under a canopy, in attics with good ventilation, laying out a thin layer on bedding until the inflorescence branches become brittle. The fruits are harvested during their full maturity in August-September. Whole bunches are cut, laid out in a thin layer, dried in air, and then dried in dryers, ovens, ovens at a temperature of 60-65 ° C. Elderberry roots are harvested at the end of autumn, dried, ground into powder. The bark is harvested from two-year-old branches in early spring before sap flow, cleaned of glands, scraped off the upper gray layer, separated from the core and also dried in dryers, ovens, ovens at a temperature of 65-70 ° C.
Chemical composition
Black elderberry flowers contain flavonoids, organic acids (malic, acetic, valeric, chlorogenic), terpenes, glucoside sambunigrin, sambucin, rutin; essential oil, vitamin C, antiseptics - benzaldehyde and cynates. In the bark - essential oil, choline, phytosterol. Elderberry fruits contain ascorbic acid, 2.8% - glucose, 2.5% - fructose, malic acid, vitamin C, 0.31% - tannins, carotene, anthocyanin. Unripe fruits and leaves contain the poisonous glycoside sambunigrin (breaks down into hydrocyanic acid and benzaldehyde). Green leaves contain essential oil, aldehydes, ascorbic acid, carotene, and dried leaves contain provitamin A. Seeds contain fatty oil.
Pharmacological properties
The pharmacological action of different parts of black elderberry differs depending on their composition and dosage. All parts have a diuretic property; diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory - bark, leaves, flowers, fruits. The anti-inflammatory property is due to the presence of flavonoids. The flowers have analgesic properties. Due to its diuretic properties, a decoction of flowers and leaves is effective in the treatment of chronic renal failure. In gynecology, an infusion of flowers is used orally for some diseases of the vagina. Infusions of elder flowers, in addition to diaphoretic, have analgesic, sedative and weak hypotensive effects, and also normalize the function of the adrenal cortex. Fruits, as well as bark and roots in large dosages, have a laxative property.
Application in traditional medicine
Black elder as a medicinal plant has been known since the Middle Ages. In folk medicine, black elderberry has received even more widespread use. Infusion, decoction, juice, poultices, baths from black elderberry raw materials inside and outwardly are used as a diaphoretic, tonic, antipyretic, sedative, expectorant, choleretic, laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the kidneys and bladder, ascites (dropsy), respiratory diseases , women's diseases, diabetes, stomach ulcers, etc.
History reference
In ancient times, among the Germanic and Slavic peoples, black elderberry was considered a sacred plant, but with the opposite effect. The unripe fruits of black elderberry are poisonous, they contain hydrocyanic acid, ripe ones are quite safe, however, they must be used after drying or heat treatment.
Literature
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2. State Register of Medicines. Moscow 2004.
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Elderberry is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world.
Traditionally used in folk medicine to treat infections, while in many parts of Europe it was used to improve complexion and heal burns. .
Today, elderberry is most commonly taken as a supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms.
However, the raw berries, bark, and leaves of the plant are also known to be poisonous and cause stomach problems.
This article takes a closer look at elderberry, its health benefits and health risks and dangers associated with its consumption.
Video: Black elderberry - medicinal properties
What is Buzina?
Elderberry belongs to several different cultivars of the Sambucus tree, which is a flowering plant belonging to the Adoxaceae family.
The most common type is Sambucus nigra, also known as European elder or black elder. This tree is native to Europe, although it is widely grown in many other parts of the world.
It grows up to 9 meters and produces small white or cream-colored buds in the spring known as elderflowers. The berries are small black or blue-black clusters.
The berries are quite tart and must be cooked to be eaten. The flowers have a subtle nutmeg flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Various parts of the elderberry have been used throughout history for medicinal and culinary purposes.
Historically, the flowers and leaves have been used to relieve pain, swelling, inflammation, stimulate urination and induce sweating. The bark has been used as a diuretic, laxative and induces vomiting.
In folk medicine, dried berries or juice are used to treat influenza, infections, sciatica, headaches, toothaches, pain in the heart and nerves, and as a laxative and diuretic.
In addition, the berries can be cooked and used to make juice, jams, chutneys, pies, and elderberries. The flowers are often boiled with sugar to make a sweet syrup or steeped in tea. They can also be eaten fresh in salads.
Black elderberry useful properties
For medicinal purposes, flowers, berries and bark are used.
Bizina is a source of vitamins and minerals
Elderberry is a low-calorie food filled with antioxidants.
100 grams of fresh berries contain 73 calories, 18.4 grams of carbohydrates and less than 1 gram of fat and protein
Plus, it has many nutritional benefits.
- High content of vitamin C: 100 grams of berries account for 6-35 mg of vitamin C, which is up to 60% of the recommended daily dose.
- High in fiber: Elderberries contain 7 g of fiber per 100 g of fresh berries, which is more than a quarter of the recommended daily intake.
- Good source of phenolic acids: These compounds are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce the damage from oxidative stress in the body.
- Good source of flavonols: Elder contains antioxidant flavonols quercetin, kaempferol and isorgamnetin. Flowers contain 10 times more flavanols than berries.
- Rich in anthocyanins: These compounds give the fruit its characteristic dark black-purple color and are a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects.
The exact nutritional composition of elderberry depends on the plant variety, the ripeness of the berries, and the natural and climatic conditions. Therefore, portions may vary in nutritional value.
Commercial preparations of elderberry for colds come in a variety of forms, including liquids, capsules, lozenges, and chewing gums.
Flu. The component present in the berries is able to surround the influenza virus and prevent it from attacking other cells. Elderberries relieve symptoms and shorten colds by 2 days.
Sweatshop. An infusion obtained from elderberry flowers has a diaphoretic property, it is used in the treatment of diseases associated with the respiratory system.
Diabetes treatment. For the treatment of diabetes, flowers and berries are used, in the form of an aqueous extract. Flower extract stimulates glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. These two properties lead to lower blood sugar levels.
Diuretic and laxative. Berries are used as a laxative and diuretic. The bark is also used as a diuretic in the treatment of neuralgia and cysts.
Atherosclerosis. A decoction made from flowers and berries has healing and preventive properties against atherosclerosis.
Antibacterial and antiviral. Elderberries have antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help alleviate certain types of allergies and are used to boost the immune system.
Antitumor. The berry has anti-cancer properties, it can slow down, suppress or reverse the tumor.
Allergy. Elderberry flowers are a good natural remedy for plant allergies.
For the liver. Flowers have cleansing properties and are good for the liver.
Heart health. Berry extract is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, berries reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. The extract also lowers blood pressure.
Abscess of the teeth. To stop the infectious process, it is enough to crush a handful of fresh leaves along with a tablespoon of natural apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. Then, using gauze, apply this remedy to the abscess for a couple of hours.
Skin and eyes. Elderberry is used to wash inflamed eyes. An ointment made from elderberry flowers, beeswax and olive oil is used for chapped hands, burns and wounds. Elderberry is often used in cosmetics for skin care. This is due to the properties of bioflavonoids, antioxidants and high content of vitamin A, which are beneficial for the skin.
Diarrhea. Tea with dried berries is an excellent remedy for diarrhea and colic.
Fights harmful bacteria. Elderberry has been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori and improves the symptoms of sinusitis and bronchitis.
A skin product containing elderberry extract has been found to have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 9.88 and protects against ultraviolet radiation..
May have some antidepressant properties.
In addition, it is important to note that there is no standardized method for measuring the amount of bioactive components such as anthocyanins in these commercial products.
Elderberry is also used for diseases such as gout, tachycardia and hemorrhoids.
High content of antioxidants
During normal metabolism, reactive molecules can be released that can accumulate in the body. This can cause oxidative stress and lead to the development of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Antioxidants are natural ingredients in foods, including some vitamins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, that are capable of scavenging these reactive molecules.
Research shows that diets high in antioxidants can help prevent chronic disease.
The flowers, berries, and leaves of the elderberry plant are excellent sources of antioxidants. For example, anthocyanins found in berries have 3.5 times more antioxidant activity than vitamin E.
One study comparing 15 different varieties of berries and another study comparing types of wine found elderberry to be one of the most effective antioxidants.
In addition, one study showed that antioxidant status improved in humans an hour after drinking 400 ml of elderberry juice.
Although elderberry has shown promising results in the lab, human and animal studies are still limited. Generally, dietary intake has only a small effect on antioxidant status.
In addition, processing of elderberries, such as extraction, heating, or juicing, can reduce their antioxidant activity.
Therefore, products such as syrups, juices, teas, and jams may have lesser benefits than some of the results found in laboratory studies.
Elderberry is good for the heart
Elderberry may have a positive effect on several indicators of heart and vascular health.
Studies have shown that elderberry juice can lower blood fat levels and lower cholesterol levels. In addition, a diet high in flavonoids such as anthocyanins has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease.
A diet that includes black elderberry lowers the amount of cholesterol in the liver and aorta, but not in the blood.
In addition, elderberry can lower the level of uric acid in the blood. Elevated uric acid has been linked to high blood pressure and negative effects on heart health.
What's more, elderberry can increase insulin secretion and raise blood sugar levels. Given that type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, blood sugar control is important to prevent these conditions.
A study found that elderberry flowers inhibit the enzyme α-glucosidase, which can help lower blood sugar levels. In addition, a study of diabetic rats with elderberry showed improved blood sugar control.
Despite these promising results, a direct reduction in heart attacks or other symptoms of heart disease has not yet been demonstrated and further human studies are needed.
Test-tube studies have found that older people have some cancer-inhibiting properties.
Black elderberry contraindications
While elderberry has some promising potential benefits, there are also some dangers associated with its consumption.
Elderberry is practically safe when used in the recommended doses.
The leaves, unripe berries and seeds of elderberry are highly poisonous and are strictly forbidden to be used.
The bark contains small amounts of substances known as lectins, which can cause stomach problems if consumed in excess.
Fresh leaves and flowers applied to the skin cause severe irritation and rashes.
In addition, the elderberry plant contains substances called cyanogenic glycosides, which in some cases can release cyanide. This toxin is also found in apricot seeds and almonds.
There is 3 mg of cyanide per 100 g of fresh berries and 3-17 mg per 100 g of fresh leaves. This is only 3% of the estimated lethal dose for a 60 kg person.
However, commercial preparations and cooked berries do not contain cyanide, so there are no reports of deaths from their consumption. Symptoms of eating raw elderberries, leaves, bark, or roots include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Fortunately, the poisonous substances found in berries can be safely removed by cooking. However, the branches, bark or leaves should not be used in cooking or juicing.
If you are picking flowers or berries yourself, make sure you identify the elderberry plant correctly, as other types of elderberry may be more toxic. Also, be sure to remove any bark or leaves before using.
General information
Black elderberry is the only non-toxic plant of this genus. The remaining varieties of elderberry are highly poisonous.
Family: honeysuckle
Branched shrub or tree, 2 to 6 meters high. Distributed in Europe, Ukraine, western and southern Russia, the Caucasus and Siberia.
The trunk and branches are gray with lenticels along the bark. The core of the branches is white, soft. The leaves are dark green, opposite, unpaired pinnate, consist of 5-7 pairs of oblong-ovate leaflets and apical unpaired. The flowers are small, fragrant, yellowish-white, collected in large multi-flowered corymbose panicles. The fruit is a globular purple-black berry-like drupe.
Habitat: deciduous forests, settlements, in gardens, parks, used as hedges.
Reproduction: layering, root shoots or cuttings.
For medicinal purposes, dried bark, leaves and fruits are used.
Blooms in June-July.
Collection and preparation
flowers harvested during their flowering period (June-July), in dry, clear weather, cut off with inflorescences. Dry in the shade, in a well-ventilated area, spread out in a thin layer. Shelf life of raw materials is 3 years. Store in a dry place.
Leaves harvested in early spring.
Fruit harvested in September when they are ripe.
Bark gathers in the spring, from young, but already thick branches. The bark is cleaned from the outer cork layer and dried. The bark has a strong diuretic effect.
Black elderberry medicinal properties
Contraindications. Not to be taken by pregnant women. Fresh elderberry can cause an allergic reaction.
Application of flowers
- diaphoretic
- antipyretic
- diuretic
- blood-purifying
- laryngitis
- angina
- burns
- boils
- myositis
- joint diseases
- neuralgia
- cold
- high temperature reduction
The use of berries
- laxative
- diuretic
- diaphoretic
- flu
Napar of elderberry flowers
Pour 5 g of flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Insist 15 minutes. Strain. Drink 3 glasses a day as a tea. Drink with a cold, wheezing in the chest, dry cough. It can be drunk as a blood purifier, for rheumatism, gout and arthritis.
Infusion of flowers
1 tbsp raw materials pour 200 ml of boiled water at room temperature. Place in an enamel bowl, heat for 15 minutes in a water bath. Insist 45 minutes. Strain. Bring to the original volume with boiled water. Take warm 1/3 cup 3 times a day.
Laxative
Young leaves are boiled in honey and taken for constipation.
Decoction of roots and bark
Mix 15 g of bark and 15 g of roots. Pour 1 liter of boiling water. Boil 20 minutes. Take for kidney disease, dropsy and diabetes.
For burns and hemorrhoids
Boil young leaves in milk. Apply in the form of lotions to the affected areas and hemorrhoidal cones.
Jam and jelly are made from fresh and dried elderberries.
For diseases of the upper respiratory tract
- Black elderberry, flowers (1 part)
- Linden, flowers (1 part)
Pour 2 tablespoons of the collection with 1 cup of boiling water. Boil 5 minutes. Strain. Drink 1 glass immediately. Acts like a diaphoretic.
Chemical composition
Elder black. infographics
Side effects of black elderberry
The root, bark, and leaves of elderberry contain toxic alkaloids and cyanide glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when consumed in large amounts.
Flowers consumed in large quantities can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Raw berries or other parts of the plant should not be consumed as they contain cyanide, a substance that can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
Sometimes, elderberry can cause allergic reactions. Stop use if you have a mild allergic reaction and consult a doctor if you have a severe allergic reaction.
The use of elderberry syrup for children is not recommended unless you have consulted with your pediatrician.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take elderberry as there is currently insufficient research on its effects on fetal health and development.
If you have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, check with your doctor before taking elderberry.
If you have any other health concerns, please speak to your doctor before taking elderberry.
Elderberry syrup for colds and flu
Video: Elderberry syrup for colds and flu
Elderberry syrup is one of the most powerful remedies you can use to naturally support your health and prevent disease.
Black elderberry is one of the strongest remedies for colds and flu, as well as various minor diseases.
What's more, they speed up recovery time and relieve symptoms.
Elderberry is rich in vitamins A, B and C, and its potential to fight flu and colds is due to the complex sugars it contains.
How do the ingredients of the syrup on the body
To make syrup, you will need:
- ⅔ cup dried black elderberry
- 2 tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 glass of honey in comb
- 3.5 cups of water
Cooking:
Mix all ingredients except honey. Boil the mixture and let it simmer for 40 minutes.
Then cool the mixture and mash the berries. Strain, add honey and the syrup is ready.
The syrup will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.
The standard dose is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per day for children and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon per day for adults to prevent colds and flu.
If you feel like you're coming down with the flu, take your usual dose every 2 to 3 hours until symptoms subside.
A plant growing everywhere in the most unsightly places, with rich black berries: what are the benefits and harms of elderberry? How to cook a wonderful jam and a healthy decoction of berries. Useful information to think about.
What does elderberry look like and where does it grow?
Elderberry is a plant that is an ordinary shrub or small tree, with clusters of small black berries. The height of the shrub usually reaches 5 - 10 meters. The leaves of the plant are small, lanceolate, 3-5 leaves are placed on each branch. Their color is yellowish or greenish. Flowering occurs in May or June.
Most often in nature there are black and red berries. The flesh of the plant is reddish. One fruit contains 3-5 small seeds. Fully ripens for about a month (from late summer to mid-autumn). Due to the rather unpleasant smell, the berries of the plant remain untouched by animals.
The plant is common in subtropics and temperate regions. It grows in Africa, America, Russia, Ukraine, etc. It is mainly found in meadows, edges, near roads, in wastelands, in thickets.
The chemical composition and calorie content of elderberry
Tea and tincture of elderberry has been used in folk medicine for a long time. They treat a variety of diseases and are used as a prophylactic. The fruits of the plant are rich in medicinal substances.
Elderberry is a source of tannin, vitamins A, E, amino acids, tannins, sugars (glucose, etc.), resins and other useful substances.
In addition, the berries and flowers of the plant contain trace elements (zinc, sodium, iron, and so on).
There are about 75 kcal per 100 g of product. The amount of carbohydrates in berries is 11 g, proteins 0.7 g, fats 0.45 g.
What are the benefits of elderberries
Few people know the benefits of black elderberry, since in most cases its poisonous red "relative" is found.
Almost all components of the plant (bark, flowers, leaves, berries) are able to have a beneficial effect on the body. Elderberry is used for the manufacture of medicines or as a means of preventive action. The berry is popular in both folk and traditional medicine.
Long-term storage of plant berries (more than 6 months) negatively affects their composition. Healing components are simply destroyed. Therefore, it is recommended to use fresh fruits of the plant within six months. Dried berries retain useful components for several years. Provided proper storage (good ventilation, lack of moisture).
Attention! It is undesirable to use fresh berries of the plant, as they have a laxative effect.
Berry decoction is used to improve metabolism, stomach function, assimilation of elements and to remove bile. Due to the low calorie content and high fiber content, fruits are often included in the list of diet foods.
When dried, the berry is useful for people suffering from malaria, skin or stomach cancer. The substances that make up the dried fruits have the ability to stop the development of cancer cells.
Due to the large amount of fiber in the composition of the plant, cholesterol is excreted from the body. And this, in turn, almost completely eliminates the risk of problems associated with the cardiovascular system (atherosclerosis, stroke and other diseases).
For women
An infusion of elderberry flowers, in the form of douches, helps in the treatment of many gynecological diseases. And cosmetics in the form of decoctions based on berries help in the treatment of skin diseases.
For men
Black elderberry juice helps in the treatment of prostatitis, a common male disease.
Medicinal properties of elderberry flowers
The plant is able to have a diaphoretic and antibacterial effect on the body. From its flowers make infusions that help with bronchitis, flu, tonsillitis.
Flowers are often used in lotions. The tool tones, rejuvenates and heals the skin.
Benefits of Elderberry Bark, Leaves and Roots
Berries and other parts of the plant do an excellent job with joint diseases (arthritis, rheumatism). The leaves contain components that have an anti-inflammatory effect. To stop the development of inflammation (furunculosis, burns, and so on), it is necessary to steam the leaves and apply them to the sore spot.
A decoction of young leaves helps with constipation (chronic form). They are boiled and consumed with honey. The finished medicine is taken as a course.
Decoctions from the bark are used to treat kidney diseases. Lotions are used to prevent skin diseases.
The use of elderberry during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy and lactation is a time when a woman should be extremely careful in the use of many products. Elderberry, to some extent, is a toxic plant. Therefore, it is better to refuse to take it during these periods.
Is elderberry good for children
This berry can be useful for both adults and children. It is not recommended to give berries to children whose age is less than 12 years. This opinion is shared by most pediatricians. But at the same time, the berries of this plant are often used to treat children's coughs, anemia, and colds. If you use berries in small quantities, they do not cause allergic reactions.
Advice! To make children like elderberry, it is recommended to introduce jam into the diet. A child is unlikely to refuse such a treat.
Elderberry for weight loss
The benefits of elderberry for the human body are great, however, if you use it in moderation.
The berries of the plant contain a large amount of useful substances (trace elements, vitamins). The composition also contains plant hormones that are involved in endocrine processes.
People who decide to lose a few extra pounds should add an elderberry drink, decoctions, tinctures from roots and leaves to their diet. Basic rules for the use of these funds:
- a decoction of the roots and leaves of the plant should be taken with extreme caution;
- with the help of juice from the fruits of the plant, you can reduce the level of fluid in the body;
- berries can be consumed fresh in small quantities (this will help improve metabolic processes).
Regularly using elderberry, a person can lose up to 2-3 kg in 14 days.
Folk recipes with elderberry
Traditional medicine offers various recipes that help in the fight against many diseases.
Elderberry tea is good for flu. To do this, a handful of dried berries are poured with a small amount of water, brought to a boil and infused for 12-17 minutes. A teaspoon of honey is added to the finished tea. Take the remedy 3-4 times a day before meals.
The decoction helps in the fight against edema, kidney disease, diabetes and dropsy. The crushed bark is placed in a thermos and filled with water (boiling water). Let it brew for about 6 hours. The prepared solution should be consumed in 100-150 ml.
The roots of the plant cope well with diseases of the female reproductive system. The root should be boiled for 3-6 minutes. This decoction can be used for douching or regular baths. A positive result is noticeable after a month of treatment.
For constipation, dry berries must be placed in a small container, pour boiled water, let it brew and filter. The solution is taken once a day for 125-140 ml.
Flower tea is used for coughs, gout, SARS, acute respiratory infections, laryngitis. To prepare it, it is necessary to pour a small amount of flowers with boiling water, let it brew and strain.
How elderberry is used in cosmetology
All components of this plant are rich in flavonoids, vitamin C, tannins, carotenoids, which are actively used for cosmetic purposes. Thanks to them, the condition of the skin improves, its tone increases, the skin becomes more elastic, swelling and inflammation disappear.
Elderberry extract is found in modern cosmetics of a number of brands. Thanks to him, the condition of the skin improves, blackheads and acne disappear.
What can be cooked from elderberry
A large number of different dishes can be prepared from this berry: compotes, jelly, jam, jam, marshmallow, tea, juice, syrup, wine, liqueur, filling for pies.
Benefits of elderberry jam and honey
Elderberry jam is actively used to treat radiculitis, rheumatism and other diseases, helps to remove excess cholesterol from the blood. Eating this delicious treat in small amounts helps diabetics maintain normal sugar levels.
The benefits of elderflower jam are obvious. It lowers blood pressure, fights dermatitis, eliminates puffiness, supports the liver, pancreas and thyroid gland.
Elderberry honey contains many useful substances. It is able to alleviate the condition with rheumatism, arthritis, increase the function of the immune system, improve sleep, help in curing the flu, bronchitis. The product has a diaphoretic, disinfectant, antipyretic, diuretic, and sedative effect.
Elderberry juice: benefits and uses
The pulp of the berry is rich in many nutrients. These include vitamins A, B, acids (organic), mineral compounds, essential oils.
Juice is able to have diuretic, antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, antipyretic effects. It is actively used in folk recipes as a medicine for coughs, flu and colds. Juice is also used in the treatment of diabetes, rheumatism, furunculosis and other diseases.
Harvesting and storage of elderberry
Black elderberry is deservedly popular among residents of different countries and peoples. Many tasty and healthy dishes are prepared from berries. The remaining parts (leaves, bark, roots) are used to make medicines.
Fresh berries can be stored up to six months. The bark and dried leaves retain useful substances for up to 2-3 years.
Contraindications
Almost any plant has contraindications for use. The black elderberry is no exception. You can not use its fruits with ulcerative colitis, intestinal and gastric diseases.
Expectant mothers and lactating women should exclude this product from the diet. Giving berries to young children should be done with great care and only from the age of 12.
Do not combine medicines based on elderberry with other medicines that affect the immune system (for example, corticosteroids).
To learn more about the properties of the black elderberry plant, it is recommended to watch the following videos:
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of elderberry in one case or another are determined by the nature of the disease, the individual characteristics of the body.
It can be a good helper in improving the overall tone of the body, treating skin diseases, etc. If used incorrectly, it causes poisoning, diarrhea and worsens the general condition of the body. Elderberry preparations should only be taken on the advice of a physician.