The elder is a plant or shrub that reaches a height of up to 10 m. The useful qualities that elder have, have given her berries and flowers a special fame. And this is not surprising, because elder has real healing properties.
With elderberry, a legend is associated, according to which this plant bestows longevity. The medicinal properties of elderberry are based on a high content in its flowers, berries and roots of such substances as:
- organic acids;
- glucose;
- rutin;
- ascorbic acid;
- carotene;
- vitamin P;
- fructose;
- essential oil, etc.
Healing properties of elderberry
Black elder blossoms, the medicinal properties of which are many-sided, are used to treat the stomach, eliminate swelling, and drugs against pancreatitis . According to some reports, elderberry helps to strengthen lactation in nursing mothers. Due to the phenolic carboxylic acids contained in elderberry, it can be used to purify the kidneys.
The healing properties of elderberry black are not limited to the use of her inflorescences. In fact, medicinal purposes apply and flowers, and berries, and roots. Decoction of all parts of plants are taken with problems with the stomach and for the normalization of digestion.
Busina is irreplaceable for colds. It is also prescribed as a preventive, antipyretic, expectorant. It is believed that the roots of elderberry reduce blood sugar, which is important for people with diabetes. It is also said that the decoction of the roots with such a disease helps maintain the body and prevents complications.
In addition to black elderberry (black or rich purple berries), there is a red elder, whose useful properties, on the contrary, are absent. It is a poisonous plant. Therefore, do not confuse these two shrubs and use red elder in food and, especially, for medicinal purposes.
How to apply elderberry?
The most popular decoction from the buds of elderberry,
Elderberry berries, whose useful properties are known no less, are used both in fresh form, and in the form of juice, tea, in dried form. Juice from berries will be most useful for treating vision problems. It is rich in antioxidants and has a general rejuvenating effect on the body. That is why juice from elderberry berries is used in the fight against cancer.
Tea is brewed from inflorescences, it is also possible to add dried berries. Such tea is most useful in the period of frequent catarrhal diseases and with a decrease in immunity .