Sambucus Flos, Elder Flower

Picture Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Picture Picture
Della Materia Medicinale,
Andrea Valuassori, 1562

 ‘Common’ and ‘Jagged’ Elder
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
Picture Koehler’s Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

Picture Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION

Botanical name:


Sambucus nigra

Parts used:


Flower

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Pungent, Sweet

Classifications:


2B ATTENUATERS.    2F. PURIFYING.    2J. RAREFYING.    2L. EMOLLIENT.    2Q. ANODYNE
3A. SUDORIFICS & DIAPHORETICS                   
4a. CEPHALIC

Uses:


1. Clears Wind and Heat, Resists Poison:
-Colds, Influenza, Sore Throat, Sinusitis, Nasal congestion or discharge. (Commission E approved for Colds; BHP for Fever)
-Eruptive Skin diseases such as Measles and Scarlet Fever
-sore, red, or itchy Eyes.
-traditionally taken in Spring tonics.

2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-excessive phlegm with Cough and Wheezing as seen in Bronchitis, Asthma and Pneumonia.
-Flowers have been boiled in Milk for Cough

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

4. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Swellings:
-Phlegm swellings including Scrofula, swollen Glands and Nodes.
–skin growths including Cancer (used both internally and externally).

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).


Dose:


Infusion or brief Decoction: 3–5 grams (10–15 grams daily)
Powder: 2–4 grams

Comment:


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’.
Picture

Main Combinations:


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

Major Formulas:


Wine for Catarrh
Decoction for Arthritis
Sudorific Vinegar
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)

Cautions:


Generally Safe.

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water of the Flowers, Spirit of the Flowers (fermented), Wine of the Flowers, Infused Oil, and a Distilled Oil.