Elderberry, elderflower tea: medicinal plant
Medicinal plants can be used medicinally for many ailments. Find out in our encyclopedia of medicinal plants which medicinal plants help with which complaints and diseases and how to use them correctly.
General information about elderberry
The elder, which grows as a shrub or tree, belongs to the honeysuckle family and grows up to 7 m high. It is characterized by a light brown, cracked bark with green twigs filled with soft pith. The elder leaves are pinnate and often consist of 5-7 individual leaves. The flowers are yellowish-white and are in a dense, umbrella-shaped cyme. The fruits shine black-violet and the dark red juice stains strongly.
Proven at:
- colds
- rheumatism and nerve pain
Use of elderflower tea
The elderflower can be used both internally and externally.
Elderflower tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over 2 heaped teaspoons of dried elderflowers and let the tea steep for 10 minutes. Preferably you drink 3-4 cups a day.
Externally, you can use an infusion of the flowers as a gargle solution or as a bath additive.
Important
The use of naturopathic medication requires an exact dosage and should be discussed with your doctor.
Effect
The effect of elderflowers is diaphoretic, expectorant and soothing. The fruits have a diuretic, laxative, weakly anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Elderflower tea in particular has a strong sweat-inducing effect and is therefore used for all diseases that can be improved by sweating out, such as coughs, flu, pneumonia, colds, rheumatism, etc.
Consuming raw elderberries can cause nausea.