Elderberry - useful medicinal properties and contraindications

Branching shrubs are often found in Russian forests, reaching several meters in height and in autumn covered with red, densely purple or blue-black berries. This is elderberry, a plant of the honeysuckle squad.

It has been known to doctors since ancient times, and in those days it was called the “witch bush”. People believed that evil spirits live in the branches of the shrub, but this did not prevent them from using fruits, flowers, leaves, roots, and even elderberry bark for medicinal purposes. And today, this plant is widely used in the treatment of many diseases.

The chemical composition and calorie content of elderberry

Decoctions and tinctures from this plant can bring relief in various diseases and conditions.

The healing properties of elderberry black and red provides a high content of such components:

• tannin and paraffin compounds;
• organic acids;
• glucose and fructose;
• tannin;
• amino acids;
• resins and essential oils;
• vitamins A, B and E.

In addition, berries, flowers and other parts of the plant are rich in such trace elements:

• calcium
• iron;
• zinc;
• copper;
• selenium;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• magnesium.

Indicators of nutritional value of elderberry are as follows:

• 0.65 g of protein;
• 0.5 g of fat;
• 11.5 g of carbohydrates.

The calorie content of elderberry is 73 kcal per 100 g of product.

Elderberry - useful properties depending on the variety

Elderberry is red and black, and both of its varieties have a sufficient number of useful properties. However, it should be borne in mind that parts of this plant, especially berries, contain toxic substances. If in the black variety their level is very low, then red elderberry can be very dangerous.

How useful is black elderberry?

The beneficial properties of black elderberry make it possible to use it in the treatment of many diseases. Decoctions, tinctures and syrups based on it allow you to cleanse the body and prevent the development of pathogenic microflora.

In addition, it saturates the body with vitamins and minerals, helps with gastrointestinal diseases and gynecological ailments. As well as the active components of elderberry, they can fight the growth of cancer cells.

Important! In order not to harm the body, it is worth eating elderberry only in dried form. Moreover, the daily volume should not exceed 5-8 pieces.

The benefits of red elderberry

Red elderberry contains much more toxic substances than black elderberry. Some sources claim that during the drying or heat treatment, poisons are destroyed, but nevertheless it is better not to take risks and use medicinal products based on it only externally.

This plant variety is effective for skin diseases and cosmetic problems. The substances contained in berries, flowers and leaves contribute to the rapid regeneration of the skin and the relief of inflammatory processes, as well as deeply nourish it.

Attention! Since red elderberry is considered poisonous, precautions should be observed in the process of applying funds based on it, and at the slightest sign of intoxication, stop treatment and seek professional help.

The healing properties of elderberry

The benefits of elderberry for the body are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipyretic and expectorant effects. In addition, the remedies from this plant are an excellent laxative and diuretic.

In modern medicine, elderberry is used for the following problems:

• colds and diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• inflammatory processes in the body;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• malfunctions of the liver, pancreas and gall bladder;
• edema of different origin;
• neurological diseases, insomnia and anxiety;
• anemia;
• parasitic organ damage;
• atherosclerosis, the presence of cholesterol plaques and increased fragility of capillaries;
• vision problems;
• thyroid dysfunction;
• violation of metabolic processes;
• benign and malignant tumors;
• hemorrhoids;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• dermatological problems, including eczema and psoriasis;
• general exhaustion of the body;
• overweight;
• gynecological diseases;
• menopause

On a note. Elderberry decoction is able to relieve headache and toothache, as well as relieve discomfort during menstruation.

What are the benefits of flowers, leaves and bark of a plant

Significant benefits can be derived not only from ripened elderberry, but from other parts of this plant.

Elderberry flowers of black and red are used to prepare products with antibacterial and anthelmintic effects. In addition, from inflorescences, you can make a decoction for rinsing with angina.

Leaves have an antipyretic, diaphoretic and soothing effect. On their basis, they prepare not only means for fighting colds and SARS, but also make compresses used for burns, skin rashes, boils, abrasions and bruises.

The bark has a decongestant effect, and funds based on it are indispensable for diseases of the kidneys, dropsy and other ailments that cause such problems.

The use of elderberry in traditional medicine

Black elderberry berries can be consumed not only in dried form, but also make jam, syrup or wine from them.

Elderberry syrup

Black elderberry syrup is an excellent expectorant that will help relieve the condition with a dry cough.

To prepare it, you will need to do the following:

1. Sort the elderberries, wash and squeeze the juice from them.
2. Dilute the resulting liquid with the same amount of water, add sugar and put on the stove.
3. Boil the syrup, stirring constantly, until the sand dissolves.

Ready syrup will need to be cooled and poured into a glass bottle. You need to take the medicine one teaspoon after a meal.

Healing wine

Before describing the preparation technology, it should be noted that you can consume this drink in small quantities and only for medicinal purposes.

Elderberry wine needs to be made as follows:

1. Sort 1 kg of black elderberry, rinse, pour 5 liters of water and cook for 2 hours.
2. When the liquid has cooled, strain and put back on the stove, adding 700 g of granulated sugar.
3. Boil future wine for another hour, then cool slightly and pour into a glass of raisins, then close the container with a cloth. Dried fruits will act as yeast.
4. When the fermentation process ends, pour the wine into a container of dark glass.

You need to drink wine with food, a single consumption should not exceed 50 ml.

Attention! You need to store the finished wine in a cool and dark room, and it will be suitable for consumption only for 60 days.

Elderberry jam to strengthen immunity

To strengthen the immune system and increase the body's resistance to diseases, you need to add elderberry jam to tea.

To prepare it, you need to do the following:

1. Wash elderberries, put in a saucepan and mix with sugar in a 1: 1 ratio.
2. Close the lid and leave for an hour to let the berries let the juice.
3. Keep the pan on low heat for half an hour, then cool the contents, pour into jars, tightly seal with capron lids and send to storage in the refrigerator.

There is another way to treat berries when they are simply ground with sugar. So they retain all vitamins and minerals, but toxic substances are not neutralized, as is the case with heat treatment.

Black elderberry healing recipes

Black elderberry is beneficial if used properly.

The following are the most common and safe recipes for medicines used in certain conditions:

• Angina and dental problems. To prepare a healing infusion, you need to brew fresh or dried elderberry flowers in 250 ml of boiling water and insist for half an hour. Then you need to strain the broth and use it to rinse 5-6 times a day.
• Headaches, stress and insomnia. In such conditions, a compress with a decoction of elderberry roots will help. To prepare it, you need to grind the roots, put in a pan, add water, boil for several minutes and let it brew for at least an hour. Then the tool is filtered and used for a compress.
• Constipation. In this case, it is better to use elderberry fruits, preparing a decoction from one teaspoon of berries and 200 ml of water. The product will need to infuse for 4-6 hours, after which it needs to be drunk at a time. You can use the broth no more than twice a week.
• Arthrosis, arthritis and other joint diseases. To prepare the infusion, you need to mix in equal proportions elderberry, nettle and dried parsley. If the latter was not found, you can use it fresh or frozen. You will need to pour boiling water over 10 g of the mixture and insist 30 minutes. Then the liquid must be filtered and taken 30 ml before meals.
• Rheumatism and gout. With such problems, elderberry broth baths help. For the procedure, you need to mix the dried leaves and elderberry roots in equal proportions, pour a liter of boiling water and insist for at least 3 hours. Then add the infusion to the bath with water not warmer than 40 degrees. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to take the procedure, the duration of the course is 10-14 days.
• Diabetes. To make a tool to normalize blood glucose, you will need 30 g of chopped elderberry roots and 500 ml of water. The mixture is boiled in a water bath for half an hour, then strain and drink 30 ml 3 times a day.
• Diseases of the genitourinary system. With such problems, a decoction of 20 g of elderberry roots and 600 ml of water will be required. It is insisted for several hours, then filtered and douched twice a day. The duration of treatment is 5-7 days.
• Vitamin deficiency and decreased immunity. In this case, black elderberry syrup, which can be prepared according to the recipe described above, will help. Take the remedy three times a day, one dessert spoon. The course lasts 4-6 days.
• Oncological diseases. Elderberry is considered an effective tool for the destruction of cancer cells. To prepare the extract, the washed berries are placed in a jar and mixed with sugar, after which they are insisted for 20 days, and the juice that stands out is drained and taken 1 tablespoon before meals. Store the product only in the refrigerator.
• Cystitis. In the fight against this disease, a decoction of 15 g of berries and 300 ml of water helps. It needs to be boiled for several minutes, and then cool, strain and take three times a day.
• Mastopathy, menopause and painful menstruation. To alleviate the condition, you need to prepare a decoction of 20 g of dried elderberry flowers and 300 ml of water. The product is boiled for a quarter of an hour, after which it is insisted, cooled and filtered. You need to take the broth three times a day.

How to use elderberry in cosmetology

In cosmetology, elderberry flowers, and sometimes leaves and berries, are most often used.

Decoctions prepared from these parts of the plant help in the following cases:

• the presence of acne, acne and freckles;
• dry skin;
• high activity of sebaceous glands and oily sheen;
• loss of skin elasticity;
• hair loss.

Elderberry is unique in that the products based on it are suitable for all skin types.

Cooking Application

In addition to traditional medicine, elderberry is also used in cooking. The fruits of this shrub have a specific sweet and sour taste, although as a result of heat treatment it practically disappears.

Elderberries are often added to juices, liquors and tinctures as a natural dye. Also used in the manufacture of jelly, jams, marmalade and marshmallows, combining with fruits, citruses and berries.

In addition, elderberries are added to wines, cognacs and liqueurs to obtain a unique muscat aroma.

Procurement and storage of medicinal raw materials

In order for elderberry to retain useful properties, it is necessary to properly prepare and store it.

It is worth considering that for the collection of each part of the plant there is a certain time:

• Spring. During this period, elderberry bark is collected, which is crushed, dried in the fresh air or in the oven, and then laid out in jars. You can store the workpiece for no more than six months.
• Early summer. During this period, flowers and leaves of the plant are collected.They are dried naturally or in special dryers, after which they are stored. These parts of the plant are able to maintain healing properties for up to 3 years.
• The end of the summer. During this period, berries are picked. It is important to note that in some places they mature only by mid-September, it all depends on climatic conditions. The harvested crop is dried and stored for no more than six months.
• Autumn. After ripening, the roots can also be harvested. They are dug up, washed, cut and dried in the fresh air.

To protect the workpieces from bugs, they should be stored tightly in glass or tin containers with lockable lids.

Contraindications to the use of elderberry

There are a number of cases where elderberry can cause serious harm.

Contraindications for use are:

• colitis and gastritis;
• Crohn's disease;
• ulcerative lesions of the stomach and intestines;
• type 1 diabetes;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• childhood;
• allergy.

In addition, the use of elderberry-based remedies can cause side effects. This is manifested by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. The same signs indicate an overdose. In such a situation, you should immediately seek medical help.