Page 229 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

streaks/splotches and purple nodes. Older plants may Eye Irritation and Conjunctivitis: Elderberry
be entirely purple. Flower Tea makes a gentle eyewash for eye irritations
and conjunctivitis.

Strengthens the Immune System: Elderber-
ries have long been recognized as a therapy for a vari-
ety of illnesses. It is thought that their beneficial effects
are due to their ability to strengthen the immune sys-
tem.

Harvesting: Harvest the berries during the early au-
tumn when they are fully ripe. I like to harvest and then
put the berries in the freezer. Once frozen it is easy to
remove the berries from their stems. Remove all stems
before using!
Edible Use: The Sambucus nigra variety of elder- Warning: All parts of the fresh plant are mildly
berry is considered non-toxic when used fresh, but I al- toxic. Dry or boil berries before use and dry the flow-
ways cook all varieties, and some people become ill ers. Do not use the fresh plant without cooking or dry-
from fresh berries. Other varieties of elderberry’s fruit ing. The bark and root are emetic, causing vomiting,
pulp and skin are edible when picked fully ripe and and should not be used internally. The leaves and un-
then cooked. However, uncooked berries and other ripe berries are toxic.
parts of the plant are poisonous. The flowers are edible
when they are completely dried; do not use them fresh.
I use cooked fresh berries to make elderberry syrup,
elderberry wine, and cordials.
Medicinal Use: The flowers, leaves, and cooked
berries are all useful. I use elderberry berry tincture
once a day as a preventative during flu season or dur-
ing travel, and 3x per day if feeling a cold or flu coming
on. I extract the berries in glycerin or alcohol.

Colds and Flu, Anti-Viral: Taken early blue eld-
erberry reduces the chance of catching the flu. Taken
after a flu infection, it reduces the spread of the disease
throughout the body and lessens the severity and du- Recipes: Elderberry Syrup. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons
ration of the virus. Blue elderberry is one of the best for adults and ½ to 1 teaspoon for kids. Take once a
anti-virals out there and there has been much research day as a flu preventative and 3 to 4 times daily if in-
supporting its effectiveness. It is deemed safe for chil- fected. 1 cup of elderberries, water, 1 cup of raw honey,
dren and my kids take it in the form of a tincture or and ½ tsp of ground cinnamon. Place fresh elderber-
syrup. The flowers also reduce inflammation, help ries, with all stems removed, in a pot and add a small
drain mucous, and promote perspiration. They have amount of water to cover. Heat the berries over low
anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer proper- heat for 2 hours. Mash the berries to release the juice
ties. Elderberry is most effective in combination with or puree the berries in a blender. When all the juice is
yarrow to bring down fever. released, strain the juice through several layers of
Bruises, Sprains, and Hemorrhoids: For cheesecloth. Squeeze the cloth to extract all the juice.
bruised tissue, muscle sprains, and hemorrhoids, use Measure the juice and mix in an equal amount of raw
chopped elderberry leaves applied as a poultice to the honey. Add cinnamon if desired. Put the syrup in clean
affected area or infuse the leaves in oil to apply (my pint canning jars and seal.
preference). Leaves are only for external use.

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