| Essential
Oil of the Month Elder Flower |
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Elder has traditionally been known as "nature's medicine chest". It has been used since prehistoric times for everything from aiding constipation, diarrhea and rheumatism to relieving the common cold and healing many skin inflictions.
All parts of the plant have been used throughout history. However, all parts of the fresh plant can cause poisoning. So be careful. The berries are fine to consume once cooked, and are still widely used today. Have you ever had a sip of Elderberry Wine or tasted Elder Berry Pie or jam? They are high in Vitamin A and C and taste great.
The flowers and the berries are the most used portion of the plant. The roots, stems or leaves should be used only under the guidance of a professional and only externally. For these parts are known as a a Purgative. They cause bowel evacuation, but more quickly and forcefully than a normal laxative, thus aiding constipation and cleansing out the body.
Making an infusion (strong Elder tea) from the flowers is a great way to utilize Elder's benefits. This preparation can be drank to boost the immune system, and it is excellent for a quick recovery from the common cold or influenza virus. Drink it for relief of allergy symptoms including hay fever and sinusitis. Elder tones the mucous lining of the nose and throat, increasing resistance to infection. Perfect for chronic congestion, allergies, ear infections and spasmodic coughs. Drink for about 2 months before hay fever season to build strength and immunity. It can reduce the severity of your hay fever attacks.
Black Elderberry is the main ingredient in a over the counter remedy named Sambucol. Research at the University of Oslo School of Medicine in Norway, found that on average, flu patients taking Sambucol recovered in 3.1 days, compared to 7.1 on a placebo.
Elderberry water (infusion) is still sold today in old-fashioned pharmacies. It is used on the skin for burns, swelling, cuts and scrapes. And it can improve skin tone and help relieve eczema, acne and psoriasis. Even Hippocrates wrote about using Elder to improve complexion and heal burns.
Elder's diuretic properties combined with the ability to produce mild perspiration helps remove the waste products from the body. This helps cleanse the system, reduce fever and is also of great value to arthritic conditions.
Elder is high in antioxidants and its medicinal properties and key constituents include: cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, Potassium chloride and potassium sulphate, magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate, Flavonoids (Quercitol, Kaempferol), Linoleic acid, Mucilage, p-coumaric acid, Phenolic acids, Sterols, Triterpenes, Tannins, and Volatile oils.
It blends well with: Hibiscus, Peppermint, Linseed, Yarrow and Echinacea among others.
Dried --- Herb Usage
Eye Care - Soak a cotton ball
in floral water and apply to sore or swollen eyes.
Skin Care -Refine the complexion and help relieve eczema,
acne and psoriasis.
Tea - Relaxing and combats cold and flu infections, keeps
PH levels at optimum for digestion, soothes gastric intestines
and the respiratory tract.
Bath - Add to the bath to relieve sunburn and other skin
irritations. Great for after shower splash and toner.
Poultices - Apply for headache, rheumatism, sores or burns.
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Recipes
Fast Elder Berry Wine
Add 1-2 Elder Flower heads to a bottle of gentle white wine and
leave it to soak for 2 days. Strain and enjoy.
Elder Flower Vinegar
Fill a glass jar with Elder Flower heads. Cover with apple cider
vinegar and leave to steep in a cool dark place for at least a
month. Strain and place a fresh flower-head in each bottle before
filling it with the infused vinegar.
Infused Buttermilk Cleanser
1/2 c Buttermilk
1 tbsp Chamomile flowers
1 tbsp Sweet Orange blossom
1 tbsp Elder flower
Simmer in a double boiler for 30 minutes. Do not bring to a boil.
Cool for 2 hours then strain. Apply with cotton ball. Use tissue
to wipe off. Follow with a skin tonic. Store in refrigerator up
to 7 days.
Elder Flower Infusion
Add 1/2 cup dried Elder Flowers to 4 cups of boiled water. Let
steep and cool 20 minutes before use. Store in a glass container
away from heat and direct sunlight for up to 7 days.
Poultice - Soak wash cloth in herbal infusion. Wring out
before applying. Can be used hot to soothe, clean and heal or
cold for reducing swelling and inflammation. Rinse in herbal infusion
and reapply often.
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