Black Elderberry - (Sambucus nigra)

The genus Sambucus numbers some thirty species distributed throught the world. It is a very propular medicininal plant and has been since ancient times. The elder tree has been known as a medicine chest in its own right with all parts of this amazing plant being used. This herb that assists the human body from head to toe and has a long standing presence in Herbalism.

Shakespeare makes reference to the elder tree in Cymbeline. And in medieval times the tree was a traditional symbol for mourning and green branches were commonly seen at grave sites during this time.

Elder berry has been shown to be very useful for colds and flus and has been shown in clinical studies to strengthen cell membranes which protects against viral penetration.
Furthermore, elder berry was shown to be effective against 10 strains of the influenza virus. It also reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3 to 4 days in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

​Parts Used:
Berries, flowers, (leaves, bark, inner bark, root – may contain some toxic principles, do not self-dose)
 
Family: Adoxaceae
 
Actions:
Anti-Inflammatory                          Diaphoretic                         Laxative
Diuretic (flowers)                            Anti-Rheumatic                 Anti-Viral
Alterative                                            Emollient                             Astringent
Nutritive – Contains Vitamin A, C, Calcium, Potassium, and Iron
Antiseptic                                            Mild Laxative                     Cooling (Flower)
Slightly Blood Thinning (Flower)  Soothing (Flower)          Stimulating (Flower)
Slightly Tonic (Flower)                   Anti-fungal (Leaves/Topical only)
Blood Building (Berries)
 
Chemical Constituents:
                Flavonoids (anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating)
                          - Rutin and Quercetin (Flowers)               
​              Triterpenes
                Volatile oils
                Sterols
                Tannins (Flowers)
                Mucilage (Berries and Flowers)
                Pectin
                Sugars
                Phenolic compounds
                Anthocyanins (Berry)
                Vit A, B, and C, Iron, Sugars

What are its uses?

Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat:

• Sinusitis
• Hay Fever
• Rhinitis (gargle)
• Laryngitis (gargle)
• Catarrhal deafness
• Headache
• Inflamed Gums (Combine flowers with chamomile as a rinse)
• Migraine (Berry)
• Post Nasal Drip
• Allergic “shiners” under eyes

 
Kidneys/Urinary:

• Kidney issues
• Flowers stimulate urination (diuretic)
  
  

GIT/Digestion/Elimination:

• Flowers stimulate bowel movements (gentle laxative effect)
• Hemorrhoids (Flowers – Topically and as a Tea)
• Stomach spasms
• Intestinal colic
• Constipation

Skin:

• Teas made from the bark and leaves were used in washes for healing eczema, sores, and rashes (Topical Only).
• Skin Sores and Blisters (Flowers – Topically)
• Boils – topically to disperse heat and regulate blood flow
• Weeping and Dry Eczema
• Tinea (young leaves/topically)
• Ringworm (young leaves/topically)
• Scabies (young leaves/topically)
• Poison Ivy or Poison Oak (plant parts not specified – my hypothesis would be a topical wash from the bark)
  
  Liver/Gallbladder:
• Jaundice
• In Medieval times, known as holderbaum – “One who has jaundice should enter a sauna bath and place the leaves of this tree on the hot rocks. He should pour water over them, and then place a twig in pure wine, so that it takes its flavor. While in that bath, he should drink this in moderation. After he comes out of the bath, he should lie in bed, so that he sweats. He should do this often, and he will be better” – Hildegard von Bingen 9th Century Physician

​
Cardiovascular/Blood:

• Anemia (Berries)
• Elder flowers, used fresh, are a stimulating diaphoretic, bringing the blood to the surface, strengthening the periphery, and bringing forth a sweat in pale, bluish persons with weak peripheral circulation – Herbalist Matthew Wood
  
  

​Muscular/Skeletal:

• Rheumatic aches and pains (most commonly in a strong decoction - Berry)
• Rheumatism (Flowers as a strong tea)
• Arthritis (Flowers as a strong tea)
• Sciatica (Berry)
• Sprained wrists and ankles (blue and swollen in appearance)
• Tight tendons
  
  

Immune/Lymphatic System:

• Increases cytokine production
• Believed to inhibit the viral enzyme that weakens cellular membranes
• Tea made from the flowers is used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms and to reduce fevers (Traditional European)
• Swollen Spleen (Berries)

 
Reproductive System:

• Menstruation Problems
• Fibroids

 
Nervous System/Mental Health:

• Has been used in epilepsy – inner bark (not recommended)
• Palsy
• Neuralgias (Berry)
• Children with strong, sanguine personalities, who pay little attention to directions, or are classified as hyperactive of having ADD/ADHD
  
  

Respiratory System:

• Cold and Flu
• Asthma – strengthening the respiratory system
• Bronchitis
• General upper respiratory infections
• Stubborn coughs that remain after the illness is cleared (Berry)
• Spasmodic cough
• Especially spasmodic cough and croup in children
• Congestion of the upper respiratory tract with restriction of breathing

 
Specific Diseases/States/Infections/Viruses:

• Specific to shortening the severity and duration of colds and flus
• Constitutionally indicated in persons with dry, red, irritable skin of the cheeks with a blue cast across the nose or by the eyes, or prominent blue veins or blue, swollen edema.
• Opens all the tubes of the body (skin, lungs, colon, kidneys, blood vessels), improving oxygenation, blood flow, perspiration, and elimination by the colon and kidneys.
• Improves immunity in winter

Safety Concerns and Contraindications

• ​Generally regarded as safe
• No side effects or drug interactions have been reported
• Considered safe during pregnancy and lactation
• Cooking or drying destroys the rank-smelling, toxic compounds
• Unripe berries may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Generally, raw elderberries are considered inedible and cooked berries edible, but some indigenous tribes are said to have eaten large quantities fresh from the bush
• The stems, bark, leaves, and roots contain poisonous cyanide producing glycosides (especially when fresh), which cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but ripe fruits and flowers are edible. The seeds, however, contain toxins that are most concentrated in red-fruited species. Many sources classify red-fruited elderberries as poisonous and black or blue fruited species as edible.

​​References:

• Medicinal Herbs Quick Reference Guide - by Julieta Criollo – Self Published 2017
• Medical Herbalism – By David Hoffmann
• Indian Herbology of North America – By Alma R. Hutchens
• Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada By Mackinnon, Kershaw, Arnason, Owen, Karst, and Hamersley Chambers – Lone Pine Publishing Edmonton Canada, 2009
• The Natural Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Plants – By Frantisek Stary – Tiger Books International 1998
• Physica – By Hildegard von Bingen – 9th Century Medieval Text
• The Earthwise Herbal, A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants – By Matthew Wood – North Atlantic Books Berkley, California 2008