2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Bulgarian folk medicine in the person of the healer Peter Dimkov called elderberry, especially black elderberry, "The strongest Bulgarian herb". With proven anti-cancer properties, elderberry is a valuable plant that is able to bring many benefits to human health. And although we are used to passing it as an annoying bush, this article will try to give a new perspective on your attitude to elderberry.
Elderberry (Sambucus) is a genus of dicotyledonous plants, including about 30 species. Most of them grow in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, but there are some that are found in the south. All types of elderberries are either shrubs or low trees. There are mainly 3 species in Bulgaria: black, red elder (Sambucus racemosa) and elder (called herbaceous elder).
For us the greatest benefit is the black elder (Sambucus nigra), which is a shrub or tree, reaching a height of 3 m high, and in rare cases up to 8-10 m. It has a highly developed root system, and elderberries ripen at the end of August or early September. In some parts of the country it is known by the names elderberry, drambuz, seleshnik, mimer.
Black elderberry should not be confused with wild elderberry, which is a perennial herbaceous plant called elderberry. Characteristic of elderberry is that its color has an unpleasant odor and is larger than that of black elderberry. There are also the so-called Australian elderberries - two types of shrubs with white or yellow fruits that reach 3 m in height.
Elderberry composition
The fruits of the black elderberry are a whole pharmacy for our health, as long as we know how to apply them. Elderberries are rich in anticyanin compounds, which play a major role in neutralizing free radicals. The amount of pectin and cellulose in elderberry is huge, and in addition, the plant contains many valuable minerals and trace elements.
There is a huge amount of vitamin C in elderberry, and if you manage to dry them properly, you can keep most of the useful ingredients. Elderberry fruit is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances.
100 g of elderberry fruit contains: 73 Calories, 0.66 g of protein, 18.4 g of carbohydrates, 0.5 g of fat.
Use of elderberry
All parts of the elderberry plant have healing properties - the roots are used in the form of a decoction, the fruits as an infusion, the leaves are made into a decoction or applied externally in the form of paws), and the flowers can be used to make infusions / teas.
A popular medicine, bequeathed to us by traditional medicine, is prepared with the fruits of black elderberry, well ripened, and acts against the flu, prophylactically and to strengthen the immune system. There are sources that prove the anti-cancer effect of the drug.
To prepare the drug dial nicely ripe black fruit elderberryand if there are green beans, discard them. Wash them and arrange them in a large jar, alternating a row of fruit, a row of sugar to the top. Cover the jar with gauze and put it in a sunny place to ferment for about 2 weeks. Then strain through gauze and distribute the mixture into smaller jars. Close them with caps and place them in a dark and cool place.
From the drug thus prepared apply 1 tsp. in the morning on an empty stomach, 10 minutes before breakfast. This recipe can also be made with ripe elderberries. In this case, the drug is used very successfully against cancer. Again, you should not use green beans, only dark and ripe beans. Green berries of wild elderberry contain poisonous substances.
From elderberry Marmalade or jam can also be prepared, which is said to have a diuretic and laxative effect and has been used successfully in neuroses. For health and enjoyment of the senses you can make tea from elderflower flowers. Elderberry tea has a wonderful taste and aroma and has a tonic effect.
Benefits of elderberry
The health benefits of elderberry on human health are enormous. An old folk belief is that the dark berries of elderberry drive away diseases, which today is proven even by modern science and medicine. Elderberry is a powerful remedy against the flu, helps the body to recover faster after a cold.
The elderberry has a diaphoretic, laxative, diuretic effect, help to reduce fever due to the glycosidic substances contained in it. The use of elderberry helps to regulate metabolism, which in turn is useful for maintaining weight within normal limits. Elderberries contain many vitamins and especially vitamin C. That is why elderberry tea is a very good remedy for smokers.
Elderberry tea from the flowers of the black elderberry is used for inhalations in hoarse voice and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
Our traditional medicine advises tea from elderberry to be used in impotence, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the urinary tract, gout, high blood pressure, dropsy, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, inflammation of the prostate, urination accompanied by blood, hives, shortness of breath and obesity.
To regulate metabolism, take 1 tbsp. dried elderberries and soak them in the evening in 200 ml of slightly warm water. In the morning, strain the liquid, warm it slightly and drink it on an empty stomach. For external use elderberry is used in cases of baths for rheumatism and gout, for compresses for eye inflammation, for applying paws in red wind and burns, for baths for hemorrhoids and skin inflammations. Decoction of elder leaves is applied externally for baths for skin rashes, hemorrhoids and rheumatism.
Elderberry tea
Pour 2 tsp. elderflower with 250 cm3 of boiling water. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes, strain and drink in sips. Another recipe is to put 2 tbsp. elderflower in 500 ml of water and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Take 1 glass of wine before meals 4 times a day.
Elderberry damage
Extremely carefully select the fruits from elderberry - Always choose dark to black, without green beans. Green or unripe fruits, as well as seeds of ripe fruits contain sambucin and sambunigrin, which are poisonous. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor before starting treatment with elderberry.
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How To Make Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is very easy to prepare, and in summer it is a very pleasant and fragrant way to deal with the heat. One way to make elderberry syrup is to make it from flowers and use lemon juice for acidification. You need 45 elderflowers.
The Difference Between Elderberry And Elderberry
The herb elderberry is found literally everywhere in our latitudes. Perhaps because of this fact, few have paid attention to her. It is often called elderberry, elderberry or elderberry. However, this is not very accurate. In botany under the name elderberry of course the tree elderberry.
How To Make Fragrant And Useful White Elderberry Juice Step By Step
The elderberry is a plant whose history is as old as human history. As early as ancient Greece, they planted elderberries to attract good spirits to their homes. The colors of white elderberry are small, white to yellowish and have a strong aroma.
Healing Properties Of Elderberry
Elderberry is a perennial tree plant of the honeysuckle family. It is a shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 3 to 10 meters. The stem and branches are gray and the leaves are opposite and toothed. Its flowers are small, fragrant, creamy or yellowish white.
Elderberry - The Strongest Bulgarian Herb
Elderberry is a beautiful and useful plant that is known for its aroma during flowering. In September, the fruits of elderberry ripen. They have a very complex chemical composition. Elderberries contain saccharides, organic acids, essential oils, choline and carotene.
