MEDICINAL PLANTS

The elderberry is a shrub that can become tree, with the help of man, but in no case exceed 4 m. High. Take green and tender branches, although they quickly harden and become brownish. The leaves are alternate and are developed only after flowering. The flowers are grouped in terminal panicles, have a yellowish green color and give off a smell mealy. This shrub grows wild, at times and sometimes grown-preferably on the banks of streams by almost the entire peninsula, especially in the northern half.

FLOWERING

The elderberry blooms in April and May in the lowlands, in the mountains can flourish until a month later or even later if weather conditions are not favorable. For medicinal purposes is collected mainly fruits, although in the leaves and particularly in flowers we can also find interesting active substances. The fruit should be ripe pick. Whole panicle is cut and dried on hurdles placed in an air stream or, better still, in drier at 45 degrees. One way to verify that drying has been completed successfully is to observe the results: they must preserve its red color and tart flavor. They are stored dry in closed containers. The elder flowers have dried in the shade and in well ventilated and dry and should retain the white color. As for the leaves, buds are cut of the year.

APPLICATIONS

The flower contains small amounts of a buttery consistency essence, tannin, mucilage and routine. It is also rich in potassium salts. In the leaves is a glycoside that releases hydrogen cyanide, very consider the possible toxic effects that may occur if administered in high concentration. The fruits contain lots of water, oil, elderberry, sugars, proteins, tannins, etc.. The flowers are sudorific and diuretic, mainly by the presence of potassium salts. In contrast, the fruits have laxative properties-lax-always depending on the dose. Be careful not to exceed the indicated doses, since in high doses may become drastic purgative. In addition, the hydrocyanic acid is released from glycosides present in leaves and fruit is very toxic if ingested in large quantities, so it is important not to ever exceed the doses prescribed by your doctor.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion (flowers). At a rate of 5 deg. Per cup. Prepare a normal infusion, once warm, you can drink at will. Used mainly in respiratory and mild laxative.
Infusion (leaves). At 1%, the infusion acts as excellent sudorific. Although home preparations are not hard to do in the pharmaceutical market, this shrub is available in many dosage forms, both simple and compound presentations.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Caprifoliaceas
HABITAT: Stream bank
FLOWERING: April and May
PART USED: Leaves, phloem, berries and flowers
CASTILIAN: Sabuco, camillero
CATALAN: Saüquer
BASQUE: Sauko, sabukutze, sarets
GALICIAN: Bieito, bieiteiro

USES

Laxative Moderate, Physic Moderate, Mild diuretic.