Elder

the flower of black elder (Sambuci flos), the fruit of black elder (Sambuci fructus)

Black elder (Sambucus nigra) is a shrub or low tree with pale bark, opposite pinnate leaves and a characteristic, somewhat sharp smell when a leaf is crushed. In June it makes large flat white flower heads, and in August dark, almost black berries in drooping clusters. It grows beside paths, at the edges of woods, around houses and on muck heaps.

The flowers are gathered at midday in dry weather, when they are open and fragrant; the whole head is cut and dried in the shade, hung or spread out, and the flowers are then shaken off the stalks, which do not belong in a tea. The berries are gathered when fully ripe and dark, and are always cooked before use.

The flower and the fruit are different drugs with different uses. In Ašič's collection the flower appears in House Tea and the Proti celulitu blend, and the fruit in PuroSIT.

Use and evidence

The flower has traditional use for relieving the early signs of a cold. The evidence for preventing or treating influenza, and for a broad cleansing of the blood, is not sufficient. EMA 1, EMA 2.