The black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is at the origin of many legends: also called “fairy tree”, “home pharmacist”, “protector of the home”, “oboe” or (more simply) “common elderberry”, this shrub is reputed to bring good luck to the family, ward off lightning and shelter lost souls…
About ten meters high, the black elder is very easily recognized by its small white flowers which, in spring, give off a sweet fragrance close to vanilla. This shrub grows throughout Europe: it is found in hedges, along roadsides and in the undergrowth.
Since Antiquity, black elderberry has been used to relieve edema, kidney stones and rheumatism: its diuretic, sudorific, softening and depurative properties have been known since Hippocrates.
Elderflowers are diuretic, sudorific and soothing
Today, some of its virtues are officially recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Commission E of the German Ministry of Health.
In herbal medicine, all parts of the plant (or almost) are used: the flowers and the bark of Sambucus nigra are rich in softening mucilages as well as diuretic and sudorific flavonoids, and the fruits contain malic acid which acts on constipation.
On the other hand, it is preferable not to consume the leaves and stems of berries and flowers which contain a toxic substance (cyanogenic glycosides).
To know. In homeopathy, the remedy Sanbuccus nigra is indicated to fight against most of the affections which reach the larynx – laryngitis with respiratory gene, laryngeal irritation, dry and obstructed nose, hoarseness, cough…
Sources:
- Vidal Encyclopedia
- 250 natural do-it-yourself remedies – Dr. Claudine Luu, ed. Living Earth.
- Antiviral and healing potential of Sambucus nigra extracts (June 2020)
- The Big Book of Homeopathy – Dr. Dominique-Jean Sayous, ed. Eyrolles.
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