Elderberry: The Natural Way to Beat a Cold
 

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) has been useful to man since prehistoric times.

Not only was it used for its delicious wine and "hot toddies," but the syrup from the berries was used for coughs, aches and other common cold symptoms. The shrub originated in Europe but it was not long before its popularity spread and it began to be harvested in North America.

Elderberry is most popular for its properties as an anti-inflammatory, expectorant, mild laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic.

The Elderberry is considered by many herbalist to be an excellent fighter to the common cold and flu, providing quick relief.

Its anti-inflammatory properties come from the blossom which contains ursolic acid.
Traditionally, a tea would be made from the flowers and drank for its mild laxative and diuretic properties. Also, when a person would have a severe cold, they would take the elderberry tea and drink it before going under heavy blankets to "sweat out" the virus. Gargling elderberry juice or tea also was used to aid a sore throat.

The elder is called the "tree of medicine"
and contains many active constituents such as terpenes, glycosides, rutin and quercetin, mucilage and tannin as well as vitamin C. Today's health care practioners consider this detoxifying herb to be the answer to the common cold and flu which plagues millions of people each year.

Mars, Brigitte "Elder-Small Tree, Big Medicine" Let's Live (March 1996): 72-75.
Tierra, Michael Planetary Herbology Lotus Press (Twin Lakes, WI) 1988: 158-9.

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