Sambucus nigra begins to bloom in May-July, and by August ripen fruits that are kept until the end of September. The plant is propagated by seeds, grows in deciduous and coniferous forests, sometimes on forest belts and plantations. In oak and pine forests with a fertile ground elder sometimes gives a continuous undergrowth of several hectares area. Often elder can be seen in yards and gardens, where it grows in small groups.
Women's magazine JustLady tell you about how to properly collect and dry the plant. Mainly for medicinal purposes collectelderberry flowers and fruits. The flowers are harvested during their flowering, but before starting to crumble beaters. Otherwise, if you collect flowers later, raw darken. Typically flowers preform continues about 2-3 weeks. It is best to collect the raw materials in the basket so as not to crush and solidify it. The plants should be treated very carefully, without breaking the threads during assembly, otherwise you can just destroy the whole thicket. Immediately after the assembly plant to dry, so it does not start to darken. Driedelderberry flowers in well-ventilated attics or under the eaves. If dry raw materials in the dryer, the temperature should not exceed 50 ° C. If you notice that the branches of the inflorescence become brittle, it means that drying is complete. After that separate the flowers from the branches. Raw materials can be stored for 2 years, but it is important that the room is well ventilated, or commodity dampen.
But the fruits of black elderberry begin to harvest when they are fully ripe. Grapes cut shears, then dried in a dryer at a temperature not exceeding 60 ° C. Elderberry bark collected in summer, the young leaves - early spring.
Sambucus nigra: treatment
It has long been considered an elder medicinal plants that can cleanse the body and help him cope with various diseases. Modern medicine does not refute this view, suggesting that this plant contains a lot of biologically active substances. Journal JustLady tell you more about the healing properties of elderberry. Medicinal properties show almost all parts of the plant: flowers, berries, leaves, bark, phloem layer. Except maybe the stems, which are due to cyanide toxicity.
Black elderberry flowers treatment
Flowers elderberry light yellow color. Collection for medicinal purposes are engaged in their flowering period, ie from mid-June to mid-July. Due to the fact that the flowers have anti-inflammatory properties, they are used for diseases of the bladder, as well as gout, rheumatism. Widely usedelderberry flowers in gynecology. Tea or infusion of the flowers of great help for chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract, flu, sore throat, trachea and bronchi. Infusion is prepared as follows: dried or fresh flowers (1 tbsp) pour boiling water (1 cup), insist 15-20 minutes. Then strain and infusion to bring the boiled water to 200 ml. Take tincture need in the form of heat for 20 minutes before meals 4-5 times.
The use of black elderberry: bark decoction
Elderberry bark of gray, it is going in the summer. Bark in decoction is used as a diuretic and choleretic agent. Also, it is used to treat anemia, arthritis, gout, hemorrhoids, obesity. Bark is useful in bronchitis, pneumonia and neurasthenia, helps to relieve headache and toothache. But the roots of elderberry as a decoction effective in diabetes, well help to relieve swelling of hands and feet.
The use of black elderberry: decoction of leaves
Odd-pinnate leaves of the plant form, dark green color. Gardeners say that the smell of the leaves repels flies. Probably due to the fact that he was not very pleasant. The leaves are boiled in honey, help get rid of constipation, and cooked in milk can be applied to diaper rash and burns. Elderberry leaves are valued for expectorants, cleansing and diuretic properties. However, the magazine JustLady warns you that elderberry leaves are toxic, so before use tinctures check with your doctor.
Black elderberry for medicinal purposes should be collected at the end of September. They are used in rheumatism and as a purgative. The infusion of dried berries improves digestion, biliary excretion, and the juice of fresh berries valued for its antimicrobial properties.Black elderberry recommend gastric ulcer, hepatitis, diabetes. They have sedative properties, contain a lot of vitamin C.
In this way,healing properties of black elderberry evident. Furthermore, distilled broth berries and elder flower has a wonderful effect on the skin - it can be used instead of lotion. There are many recipes, which mix the individual parts of the plant. For example, if you mix the fruits and flowers of elderberry, you get a great cholagogic broth. And if you make a powder of the roots and bark of the bush, you get an effective tool for the treatment of burns, weeping ulcers and non-healing wounds.Medicinal properties of black elderberry help improve metabolism. To do this, mixed in equal proportions leaves, roots and elder flowers.
Elderberries - one of the most useful for human health of plants. However JustLady reminds you:before use decoctions and infusions, talk to your doctorAnd then they will go in your favor!
Alice Terentyeva
Women's magazine JustLady