3 Ounce

                                    The 10 most honorable herbs:

     This month’s choice was a little difficult because I am trying to gear these columns to what’s in bloom and grows native in our area, so, I had a couple of choices this time.  Well I decided to go with one that is considered one of the greatest and most versatile herbs in the treatment of disease.  This would be Elderberry (Sambucus nigra).

     The elder tree grows to thirty-five feet in height and bears oval leaves and cream-colored flowers followed by purplish-blue berries in autumn.  I could of waited till autumn to write about this one but the flowers are medicinal along with the berries and they could be harvested and dried now for future use.  The elder was once known as “nature’s medicine chest.” And in the Anatomy of the Elder, written in 1644, the Elder flower is listed as a valuable plant for 70 different classes of diseases including rheumatism.  Native Americans used this herb as a drink for rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, and back pain.

     Research has found the properties of Elder Flowers to be useful for acute diseases.  It has been found to aid in the treatment of colds, flu, tonsillitis, laryngitis, rheumatic fever, and hay fever.  It is effective for preventing and treating upper respiratory infections. Constipation, and stimulates the immune system and has shown some activity in preliminary trails against viruses such as herpes simplex and human immunodeficency virus (HIV).   It has the ability to detoxify the body cells of toxic waste.  It increases blood circulation and promotes sweating.  It will bring down fever when needed.   It works as an expectorant and an anti-catarrhal action and anti-inflammatory.  It is wonderful for babies, children, adults and the elderly.

     Elder Flower and peppermint blend well together to combat colds, flu and fevers.  For infections, it is excellent when combined with golden seal and yarrow.  For lung congestion or asthma it works well combined with mullein.  For eyewash Elder Flowers blend well with eyebright and goldenseal.

     The Elder leaves crushed fresh or juiced can made into an ointment for sores, ulcers, infected wounds and so forth.  Oil of elder leaves is an old formula used for hemorrhoids, burns, wounds and as an excellent treatment for lady’s skin, said to remove freckles, discoloration’s, wrinkles and so forth.

 The Elder Berries – juiced or fresh crushed in a little water as a gentle laxative and cleanser of stomach and bowels. In hot water at night promotes perspiration and is excellent for recent colds, with sore throat, chills, and so forth.  Also recommended for nasal and bronchial catarrhs and asthma.  It can be made into syrup with brown sugar.
 
     Elder Flower contains Vitamin A, which is known to heal the lungs and beneficial for all acute diseases.  It contains vitamin C and bioflavonids, which work together in protecting against germs and viruses.

DISCLAMER:
Information is for educational purposes only, and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases. Always check with your practitioner or health care provider before deciding on any course of treatment.