HERB - Elder flowers

[Gaylin Walli]

Mistress Christianna asked:
>Just out of curiousity, what are the dried flowers or the flower water
>used for in pharmacies?

For Sambucus nigra flowers....

According to my notes, elder flowers in tincture, tea, or water are
used as a treatment for sinusitis, colds, running noses, hay fever,
and flu. (Actually, I have written down here, equal parts elder,
yarrow, and peppermint.) The flowers act as a drying agent in
the sinuses and around the eyes and also induce sweating.

Also, in lotions or compresses, the dried flowers are sometimes
used to treat sore eyes, runny eyes, and sunburn. I make compresses
for people and send them out at christmas and I also take these to
War in my (first) aid kit.

Elderflowers may have been used by your grandmother as an astringent.
This is sometimes still available in small town pharmacies. This
is how I've always seen the flower water used (and the small town
where my husband's family started still sells it in their pharmacy).

According to a couple of books I have, the fresh flowers can be eaten
directly or used in fritters and pancakes to relive hay fever. Other
suggestions include salad, ice cubes, jam, and cordials.

Elder leaves in ointment is a traditional treatment for painful
hemorrhoids. You can make your own medicated pads with a strong
tea from the leaves. (I've done this, but oddly enough, no one has
asked me for this kind of treatment. I wonder why....*grin*).

Now, for contraindications, all I have is that some people may
have a problem with the drying qualities of the flowers.

Hope this helps. Let me know if there's anything else I can
tell you about it.

Jasmine
Jasmine de Cordoba, Midrealm (Metro-Detroit area of Michigan)
jasmine at infoengine.com or g.walli at infoengine.com

"Si enim alicui placet mea devotio, gaudebo; si autem
nulli placet, memet ipsam tamen juvat quod feci."
-- Hroswith of Gandersheim
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