Eurpoean Elder
Latin Name: Sambucus nigra (L.)
Common names: Elder, elder berry, black elder, black elderberry, boor tree, European alder and European elderberry.
Family: Caprifoliaceae or Sambucaceae
Descriptive Characteristics: This is a tree that can grow as high as 33 feet. The leaves are oval, the flowers are a cream color and the berries are a blue-black.
Part of the plant used: Flowers, berry, leaf. Chevallier (2016) says the flowers are harvested in the spring and the berries in the fall.
Texture: dry
Color: a yellowish white
Aroma: like a flowery-sweet licorice
Flavor: There is a hint of sweet in there.
Constituents: Flower: Triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, A- and B-amyrin, sterols), fixed oils (free fatty acids, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid), phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid), pectin, sugars. Leaf: Triterpenes (similar to flowers), cyanogenetic glycosides (sambunigrin), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, quercetin glycosides – hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin), fatty acids, alkanes, tannins. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580) Chevallier (2016) says the berries have flavonoids, anthocyanins, lectins and vitamins A and C. The flowers have flavonoids, anthocyanins, triterpenes, volatile oil, mucilage and tannins (p. 132).
Therapeutic Actions: Leaf: Purgative, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic (internal), emollient, vulnerary (External). Flower: Diaphoretic, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic. Berry: Diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, antirheumatic. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580) Chevallier (2016) doesn’t break these down by location but says antiviral, mucilage, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and increases sweating (p. 132).
Indications: Leaf: bruises, sprains, wounds, chilblains, and an ointment for tumors. Flower is antiviral, reduces the length of the flu. Anti-inflammatory – upper respiratory tract, sinuses, hay fever. Elderberry syrup is great for colds. Strengthens cell membranes to prevent viral penetration. Infusion of elder flower, St. John’s wort, and soapwort was effective against influenza A and B and Herpes simplex 1. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580) According to Chevallier (2016), the berries are proven to be antiviral (the number of studies on this are large) and the flowers were added to stimulate sweating and fever relief. The flower also help with mucous and congestion as well as ear aches and allergies. The flowers help with arthritis by eliminating waste (p.132).
Formulary:
Chevallier (2016)
Allergic rhinitis, includes hay fever (p. 300): An infusion can be used, a few months before and during. 1t tincture of echinacea, marshmallow, elderflower, and thyme 3/day in warm water.
Colds, flu and fever (p. 311): General: 1t elderberry tincture in warm water with a fresh squeeze of lemon. Mild fever: Infusion with ½ elderberry and yarrow to 1/3 cup water. Brew 10 minutes. Drink 2 1/3 c / day. Flu with aches and pains: Infusion with 5g thyme, lemon balm, and elderflower to 3c water. Brew 10 minutes. Drink 3c / day.
Colds, congestion in children (p. 318): Giver elderberry extract but it doesn’t say dosage – says get that from the practitioner.
Earache due to congestion (p. 312): Equal parts tincture of echinacea, thyme, marshmallow, elderflower. Take 1t 3/day.
Gladstar is in the reference section for additional recipes.
Dosage:
Hoffman (2003, p. 580)
1:5 40% Tincture flower: 2-4 ml 3/day
Infusion: 2 teaspoons dried or fresh, 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 minutes. Drink hot 3/day
Juice: boil fresh berries for 2-3 minutes, express juice.
To preserve, add 1 part honey to 10 parts juice, bring to boil. Take 1 glass diluted with hot water 2/day
Ointment: heat 3 parts leaf with 6 parts Vaseline until leaves are crisp – strain and store
BHP:
Dried flowers: 3-5 g 3/day
Expressed juice: 5-15 ml 3/day
1:5 25% Tincture: 10-25 ml 3/day
1:1 25% Fluid Extract: 3-5ml 3/day
Petersen (2018, p. 95)
Syrup: 15 ml (1T) 4/day for 3-5 days, for children, 2/day for 3 days
Chevalier (2016, p. 132)
Infusion: 2-3g to 1c water. for colds ¾ c 3/day
Cream: 30g dried herb, 150g emulsifying wax, 70g glycerin, 1/3c water. (p. 296) Apply to chapped skin
Tincture: For hay fever, 1t 3-4/day
Decoction of berries: 20g herb to 3c water. for rheumatic aches ½ c 3/day.
Safety: No side effects or interactions known (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580). Petersen (2018) said safety while pregnant has not been established. When raw/unripe fruit, seeds, bark, and leaves, can cause vomiting and severe diarrhea. May lower blood sugar levels. Use caution with other diuretics and laxatives as urination and bowel movements may increase (p. 98).
Lab, Notes And Media:
The herb I chose from this module is Eleuthero. Choosing a way to use it is being difficult because I have 3 things in my head. I did some research on PubMed and have all kinds of things and even found a really nice monograph from 2006. I’m thinking I should choose between flu remedy and something to help the brain work better (to which I would add rosemary). Tough choice! I can’t have 2 people try my recipe. I’m not sure my children would want it and I surly can’t get proper feedback from them on it. I chose licorice because it’s great for coughs. Elder is wonderful for flu. This is just ONE of ways Siberian Ginseng is of use. I wanted to add some rosemary too but I haven’t finished dehydrating it yet and won’t be done in time to get this lab done with my other assignments. Honey has antibiotic effects, which my son is too young to have even if I wanted him to try it. I did try to get my daughter to try it. She smelled it and refused to taste. I would take this even though I hate licorice. I never understand what this thing is asking for in “required safety protocol”. I cleaned my area, used clean appliances and utensils and such. I wear glasses so I don’t need to use goggles though I don’t know why anyone would need to use those but I always get marked off on that item. When I looked up licorice in Chevallier, I was surprised to find 2 recipes for coughs so that was pretty cool. I probably shared more than needed but I didn’t know if you wanted the data on all the herbs or not. Since I have a virtual herbarium entry for all 3 herbs, I just copy-pasted below. I don’t think I can summarize what I learned. This entry is already 4 pages in my word doc… I have downloaded so many articles on eleuthero it’s not funny. It is such an amazing and versatile herb that I think everyone should give it a really good look.
Cough and Cold remedy
1 cup eleuthero decoction (made with ½ oz of herb to 1 c water)
3 ml elder tincture
3 ml licorice tincture
2 heaping tablespoons of raw honey
I stopped my decoction at 20 minutes but it wasn’t down to 1 cup yet so I put it back in. At 30 minutes, I checked again and it was at 1 1/8th cup so I put it back in. after 40 minutes, it was just a tad over 1 cup so I’m coloring it done. The timer went off while I was changing a diaper. This is why I like tinctures. You can’t cook them too long. I have to pause here and convince the children to take a nap because I’m tired of the griping. Okay, one is asleep, the other is being needy still but let’s see if I can get through this. I used my strainer thing in my pot for the herbs so I didn’t need to strain anything. I did taste it before I added anything after it had cooled. I added the tinctures to the decoction in the pot when I added the honey to warm it up so the honey would dissolve correctly and the alcohol in the tinctures would cook off. The directions said to simmer for 20 minutes. I simmered it until the honey was incorporated. While I do have vegetable glycerin, it’s very sweet already. Below is a picture before I bottled it.
Common names: Elder, elder berry, black elder, black elderberry, boor tree, European alder and European elderberry.
Family: Caprifoliaceae or Sambucaceae
Descriptive Characteristics: This is a tree that can grow as high as 33 feet. The leaves are oval, the flowers are a cream color and the berries are a blue-black.
Part of the plant used: Flowers, berry, leaf. Chevallier (2016) says the flowers are harvested in the spring and the berries in the fall.
Texture: dry
Color: a yellowish white
Aroma: like a flowery-sweet licorice
Flavor: There is a hint of sweet in there.
Constituents: Flower: Triterpenes (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, A- and B-amyrin, sterols), fixed oils (free fatty acids, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid), phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid), pectin, sugars. Leaf: Triterpenes (similar to flowers), cyanogenetic glycosides (sambunigrin), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, quercetin glycosides – hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin), fatty acids, alkanes, tannins. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580) Chevallier (2016) says the berries have flavonoids, anthocyanins, lectins and vitamins A and C. The flowers have flavonoids, anthocyanins, triterpenes, volatile oil, mucilage and tannins (p. 132).
Therapeutic Actions: Leaf: Purgative, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic (internal), emollient, vulnerary (External). Flower: Diaphoretic, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic. Berry: Diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, antirheumatic. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580) Chevallier (2016) doesn’t break these down by location but says antiviral, mucilage, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and increases sweating (p. 132).
Indications: Leaf: bruises, sprains, wounds, chilblains, and an ointment for tumors. Flower is antiviral, reduces the length of the flu. Anti-inflammatory – upper respiratory tract, sinuses, hay fever. Elderberry syrup is great for colds. Strengthens cell membranes to prevent viral penetration. Infusion of elder flower, St. John’s wort, and soapwort was effective against influenza A and B and Herpes simplex 1. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580) According to Chevallier (2016), the berries are proven to be antiviral (the number of studies on this are large) and the flowers were added to stimulate sweating and fever relief. The flower also help with mucous and congestion as well as ear aches and allergies. The flowers help with arthritis by eliminating waste (p.132).
Formulary:
Chevallier (2016)
Allergic rhinitis, includes hay fever (p. 300): An infusion can be used, a few months before and during. 1t tincture of echinacea, marshmallow, elderflower, and thyme 3/day in warm water.
Colds, flu and fever (p. 311): General: 1t elderberry tincture in warm water with a fresh squeeze of lemon. Mild fever: Infusion with ½ elderberry and yarrow to 1/3 cup water. Brew 10 minutes. Drink 2 1/3 c / day. Flu with aches and pains: Infusion with 5g thyme, lemon balm, and elderflower to 3c water. Brew 10 minutes. Drink 3c / day.
Colds, congestion in children (p. 318): Giver elderberry extract but it doesn’t say dosage – says get that from the practitioner.
Earache due to congestion (p. 312): Equal parts tincture of echinacea, thyme, marshmallow, elderflower. Take 1t 3/day.
Gladstar is in the reference section for additional recipes.
Dosage:
Hoffman (2003, p. 580)
1:5 40% Tincture flower: 2-4 ml 3/day
Infusion: 2 teaspoons dried or fresh, 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 minutes. Drink hot 3/day
Juice: boil fresh berries for 2-3 minutes, express juice.
To preserve, add 1 part honey to 10 parts juice, bring to boil. Take 1 glass diluted with hot water 2/day
Ointment: heat 3 parts leaf with 6 parts Vaseline until leaves are crisp – strain and store
BHP:
Dried flowers: 3-5 g 3/day
Expressed juice: 5-15 ml 3/day
1:5 25% Tincture: 10-25 ml 3/day
1:1 25% Fluid Extract: 3-5ml 3/day
Petersen (2018, p. 95)
Syrup: 15 ml (1T) 4/day for 3-5 days, for children, 2/day for 3 days
Chevalier (2016, p. 132)
Infusion: 2-3g to 1c water. for colds ¾ c 3/day
Cream: 30g dried herb, 150g emulsifying wax, 70g glycerin, 1/3c water. (p. 296) Apply to chapped skin
Tincture: For hay fever, 1t 3-4/day
Decoction of berries: 20g herb to 3c water. for rheumatic aches ½ c 3/day.
Safety: No side effects or interactions known (Hoffman, 2003, p. 580). Petersen (2018) said safety while pregnant has not been established. When raw/unripe fruit, seeds, bark, and leaves, can cause vomiting and severe diarrhea. May lower blood sugar levels. Use caution with other diuretics and laxatives as urination and bowel movements may increase (p. 98).
Lab, Notes And Media:
The herb I chose from this module is Eleuthero. Choosing a way to use it is being difficult because I have 3 things in my head. I did some research on PubMed and have all kinds of things and even found a really nice monograph from 2006. I’m thinking I should choose between flu remedy and something to help the brain work better (to which I would add rosemary). Tough choice! I can’t have 2 people try my recipe. I’m not sure my children would want it and I surly can’t get proper feedback from them on it. I chose licorice because it’s great for coughs. Elder is wonderful for flu. This is just ONE of ways Siberian Ginseng is of use. I wanted to add some rosemary too but I haven’t finished dehydrating it yet and won’t be done in time to get this lab done with my other assignments. Honey has antibiotic effects, which my son is too young to have even if I wanted him to try it. I did try to get my daughter to try it. She smelled it and refused to taste. I would take this even though I hate licorice. I never understand what this thing is asking for in “required safety protocol”. I cleaned my area, used clean appliances and utensils and such. I wear glasses so I don’t need to use goggles though I don’t know why anyone would need to use those but I always get marked off on that item. When I looked up licorice in Chevallier, I was surprised to find 2 recipes for coughs so that was pretty cool. I probably shared more than needed but I didn’t know if you wanted the data on all the herbs or not. Since I have a virtual herbarium entry for all 3 herbs, I just copy-pasted below. I don’t think I can summarize what I learned. This entry is already 4 pages in my word doc… I have downloaded so many articles on eleuthero it’s not funny. It is such an amazing and versatile herb that I think everyone should give it a really good look.
Cough and Cold remedy
1 cup eleuthero decoction (made with ½ oz of herb to 1 c water)
3 ml elder tincture
3 ml licorice tincture
2 heaping tablespoons of raw honey
I stopped my decoction at 20 minutes but it wasn’t down to 1 cup yet so I put it back in. At 30 minutes, I checked again and it was at 1 1/8th cup so I put it back in. after 40 minutes, it was just a tad over 1 cup so I’m coloring it done. The timer went off while I was changing a diaper. This is why I like tinctures. You can’t cook them too long. I have to pause here and convince the children to take a nap because I’m tired of the griping. Okay, one is asleep, the other is being needy still but let’s see if I can get through this. I used my strainer thing in my pot for the herbs so I didn’t need to strain anything. I did taste it before I added anything after it had cooled. I added the tinctures to the decoction in the pot when I added the honey to warm it up so the honey would dissolve correctly and the alcohol in the tinctures would cook off. The directions said to simmer for 20 minutes. I simmered it until the honey was incorporated. While I do have vegetable glycerin, it’s very sweet already. Below is a picture before I bottled it.
On 26 May, 2019, I started a tincture of elder flowers. There were 3 different recipes at my disposal, all with a ratio of 1:5 but the percentages were 25%, 40%, and 50%. I chose 40% because that’s what I had on hand. I used 29g of herb so my menstruum was 145ml. On 9 June, 2019, I strained my tincture and got a little more than 75ml as a yield. Below is a picture of my final result, before I bottled it.
Teeth oil
3 heaping teaspoons of coconut oil
10 drops of clove and tea tree oils
3-4 drops of the following tinctures: licorice, elder flowers, white willow bark, chamomile, ginger
I chose these for a few reasons. I needed anti-microbial and pain as well as flavor. My daughter doesn't like strong flavors and clove is STRONG and required for this. If the issue were in the back of her mouth, like a molar, I would have omitted the tea tree oil. The flavor is close to that of pumpkin spice but the clove is still a bit strong. The coconut oil required heating, of course, for incorporation of the other ingredients but the tinctures needed heating to remove the alcohol as well. I don't even want to imagine how much it would have hurt had I not done that and the alcohol touched those teeth! You could actually go much higher on the tinctures since the per dosage amount is so high, even for a child (but I'd say no more than 10 drops for a child). Also, this is to be SPIT OUT, not swallowed. That's why I said I'd omit the tea tree if it were more of a swallow risk. The other ingredients are not at a dosage that would hurt if she swallowed that minute amount.
I applied this with my finger at first, knowing the brush would hurt. Now I'm using the brush to make sure to get any infection that is trying to hide deeper in the gum and fester there in case I decide to quit treatment. They are wishful thinking. You don't hurt my baby! :) She complains when I tell her I'm going to do this but she sits there like a big girl now and pushes out that bottom lip and lets me get it done. She knows it's what's making the pain go away. Since it's just being applied to the teeth that are infected, she isn't getting a huge dosage either. An adult could brush their whole mouth with this with no negative consequences but you have to be careful with the little ones. Also, don't use this UNDER the age of 2.
Research:
Vianiana, A. and Wesolowski, M. (2017) did a very interesting study comparing the phenolic compound amount between elderberry tea and elder flower tea. The elder flower had a higher concentration which gave it a higher antioxidant power. It would make a great daily ritual to help boost the body’s antioxidant power.
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 15, 18, 34, 51, 132.
Gladstar, R. (2012). Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. P. 47, 134-8, 183, 206, 213, 215.
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. P. 30, 44, 130, 138.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. P. 213-8.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. p. 580
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2010). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Limited. P. 376-7.
Peterson, D. (2018). Herb 504: Advanced Herbal Materica Medica III. American College of Healthcare Sciences. P. 93-99.
Vianiana, A. and Wesolowski, M. (2017). The Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Infusions of Sambucus nigra L. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 72:82–87 doi: 10.1007/s11130-016-0594-x
Weiss, R. F. & Fintelmann, V. (2000) Herbal Medicine. Theime. P. 214, 367, 384, 422.
3 heaping teaspoons of coconut oil
10 drops of clove and tea tree oils
3-4 drops of the following tinctures: licorice, elder flowers, white willow bark, chamomile, ginger
I chose these for a few reasons. I needed anti-microbial and pain as well as flavor. My daughter doesn't like strong flavors and clove is STRONG and required for this. If the issue were in the back of her mouth, like a molar, I would have omitted the tea tree oil. The flavor is close to that of pumpkin spice but the clove is still a bit strong. The coconut oil required heating, of course, for incorporation of the other ingredients but the tinctures needed heating to remove the alcohol as well. I don't even want to imagine how much it would have hurt had I not done that and the alcohol touched those teeth! You could actually go much higher on the tinctures since the per dosage amount is so high, even for a child (but I'd say no more than 10 drops for a child). Also, this is to be SPIT OUT, not swallowed. That's why I said I'd omit the tea tree if it were more of a swallow risk. The other ingredients are not at a dosage that would hurt if she swallowed that minute amount.
I applied this with my finger at first, knowing the brush would hurt. Now I'm using the brush to make sure to get any infection that is trying to hide deeper in the gum and fester there in case I decide to quit treatment. They are wishful thinking. You don't hurt my baby! :) She complains when I tell her I'm going to do this but she sits there like a big girl now and pushes out that bottom lip and lets me get it done. She knows it's what's making the pain go away. Since it's just being applied to the teeth that are infected, she isn't getting a huge dosage either. An adult could brush their whole mouth with this with no negative consequences but you have to be careful with the little ones. Also, don't use this UNDER the age of 2.
Research:
Vianiana, A. and Wesolowski, M. (2017) did a very interesting study comparing the phenolic compound amount between elderberry tea and elder flower tea. The elder flower had a higher concentration which gave it a higher antioxidant power. It would make a great daily ritual to help boost the body’s antioxidant power.
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 15, 18, 34, 51, 132.
Gladstar, R. (2012). Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. P. 47, 134-8, 183, 206, 213, 215.
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. P. 30, 44, 130, 138.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. P. 213-8.
Hoffman, David. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. p. 580
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2010). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Limited. P. 376-7.
Peterson, D. (2018). Herb 504: Advanced Herbal Materica Medica III. American College of Healthcare Sciences. P. 93-99.
Vianiana, A. and Wesolowski, M. (2017). The Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Infusions of Sambucus nigra L. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 72:82–87 doi: 10.1007/s11130-016-0594-x
Weiss, R. F. & Fintelmann, V. (2000) Herbal Medicine. Theime. P. 214, 367, 384, 422.
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