Treatment of colds and flu

Elderberry is becoming increasingly popular remedy for colds and flu. It is an effective natural remedy for immunity Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system ; it contains a lot of vitamin C, flavonoids, fruit acids and anthocyanin pigments. In addition, it is an excellent source of vitamins A and B and has antiviral properties.

Elderberries - is common in Europe and North America plant, a shrub that blooms in early summer with white or cream-colored, and in the summer gives the red or maroon, almost black berries.

Its fruits, flowers and leaves of the antiquity used in cooking and medicine, but recently their health benefits has been scientifically proven. In particular, it found that elderberry helps relieve fever, as it causes increased sweating; it also has a diuretic, antikataralnym, anti-inflammatory and mild laxative effect. All this makes the elder effective against bronchitis Bronchitis - protection if the body has malfunctioned , Cough, sore throat, fever, flu, rheumatism Rheumatic fever - are possible complications of heart , Sciatica Sciatica (sciatica) - is not a disease , Skin diseases and even hay fever.

To get a feel for all the beneficial effects of this plant, brew tea: 3-5 grams of dried flowers per cup of boiling water elderberry. Let sit for 10-15 minutes and drink as needed, 1-3 times a day.

Elderberry extract should be taken twice a day, for children 5 ml and 10 ml for adults.

Leaves and stems of elderberries are very toxic, and in any case should not be consumed raw. The rest of the elder is considered quite safe; its interaction with other drugs is not known.

Sambucus nigra

Elderberry - a big deciduous shrub with gray-brown bark and pinnate leaves. Small cream-colored flowers appear on it in the summer and in the fall - black berries.

Mainly used for medicinal purposes flowers, can be used as leaves, berries, bark and roots.

Sambucus nigra - common in Europe, Asia and North Africa plant. She also grows with North America and New Zealand. Black elderberry has long been known for its beneficial properties, and is widely used to this day, although representatives of official medicine until there are some doubts about its effectiveness.

The berries are prepared elderberry jam and drinks, they are also used as a filling for pastries.

Elderberry flowers are diuretic, laxative, anti-inflammatory agent. Their use in the treatment of broth influenza and common cold, as well as in certain infections of the urinary system. Inflammatory diseases can be treated with vaginal douching decoction of elder - but this should be done only with the approval of a physician. Elderberry decoction is also used as an external agent for the treatment of wounds, burns and inflammations. It can be used in combination with other decoctions of herbs. Useful properties of black elderberry attributed primarily flavonoids - antioxidants found in plants Antioxidants: the truth about the notorious benefits That protect tissue cells from damage. Black elderberry also has immunomodulatory effects.

Properties

In elderberry bitter and pungent taste. Flowers and fruits are used to treat fever, reduce inflammation, relieve irritation; moreover, they are, and have protivognoynym diuretic effect. Its leaves also have an insecticidal effect. And the flowers, and the leaves contain rutin, and hyperoside izokvertsetin and fruits - also tannins, such as sambutsin, sambutsianin, hrizantemin all cyanidin glycosides. The seeds have a cyanogenic glycosides, in particular sambunigrin and prunazin, and fruits also contain lectins.

Therapeutic use

• Internal application

Elder flowers traditionally used to treat influenza Influenza - expect the unexpected but always , Colds, sinusitis Sinusitis - difficult to cope alone And other respiratory diseases, as well as hay fever.

The berries are used as an analgesic, diuretic, laxative and diaphoretic. They are also used when complaints of rheumatic pains, and bark - constipation Constipation - Watch out for food   and arthritis.

In addition, you can fry inflorescence in the test, to do with them syrups, soft drinks, as well as adding flavor to stewed fruits, jellies and jams.

• External application

The leaves and bark of elderberry is used to treat minor burns and frostbite.

Flowers help with inflammation of the eyes, irritation or skin burns, ulcers in the mouth and minor wounds.

Attention

The leaves and fresh berries contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are toxic. Use this plant with caution and moderation.