You probably know elderberry better through its berries, which make it possible to make juice, syrup and jam, than through its flowers which make up its herbal tea … And yet, this shrub which grows in the woods of temperate zones produces flowers loaded with an essential oil rich in fatty acids and monoterpene alcohols (they are the ones that give it this taste tinged with bitterness between unripe blackberries and overly green grapes) in which scientists have been largely interested in testing its benefits of ENT disorders.
The health properties of black elderberry
As with the white broth, the flowers and the bark of black elderberry contain mucilages, which calm inflammation, but also tannins, flavonoids as well as potassium nitrate and phenolic acids which are responsible for their diuretic action. .
Thus, rheumatism, overweight, urinary tract infections are not the only indications of elderflowers, which treat the disorders respirits such as symptoms of colds, bronchitis, flu and fever by promoting sweating sometimes quite intensely. As for the bark, it would be even more powerful than the flowers with regard to urinary or rheumatic problems (osteoarthritis).
Precautions for use
- Black elderberry is contraindicated in people with diabetes as there have been reports of insulin treatment imbalance.
- In addition, a substance present in the bark, lectin, having shown toxic activity on the embryo in rats, it is better not to use it during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in children under 12 years.
- Infusion and syrup of black elderberry to facilitate expectoration are traditionally recommended to relieve cough in minor infections of the bronchi. However, if this persists beyond a week, this should justify a consultation with your doctor.
Two elderberry herbal teas
The recipe that clears the nose
- Ingredients : 1 C. elderberry – 1 tsp. teaspoon linden – 1 tsp. peppermint – 1 tsp. coffee of yarrow – honey
- Place the plants in a teapot. Pour 60 cl of boiling water. Cover. Let steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Add a little honey.
- Dosage : 1 hot cup 3 to 6 times / day as long as the nasal congestion has not resolved.
The invigorating recipe
- Ingredients : 30 g of elderberry – 30 g of thyme – 30 of eucalyptus – 10 g of cinnamon – 5 g of cloves
- Mix the plants in a jar. Immerse 4 tablespoons of the mixture in 25 cl of water. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes. Remove from fire. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes.
- Dosage : 1 cup in the middle of the day to fight against the flu virus and the physical weakness caused.
Read also :
Common cold: how to stop it before it falls on the bronchi?
After the flu: how to recover as quickly as possible
