Black elderberry

Elder black most often found in deciduous forests of southern European Russia, Transcaucasia. This shrub (sometimes small tree) grows as a weed in yards, gardens and orchards - sometimes single individuals, sometimes in small groups. Have experience of growing black elderberry as an ornamental plant in the form of hedges in gardens and parks.

In nature occurs about 40 species of elderberry. This is usually inhabitants of the temperate and subtropical zones of both hemispheres, in our country grows 11 species. Elderberry black akin honeysuckle - are from the same family. Elder was widely known in Europe during the Middle Ages as a magical plant. About the healing power of this plant are many legends, it is mentioned in ancient Travnik. In Russia since ancient times in clusters of black and red elderberry samovar polish to a shine and used elderberry for home dyeing. Bark of young twigs of the evicted house mosquitoes, flies and other pesky insects. And the folk healers of Ukraine and Belarus, elderberry has been known as a diaphoretic, diuretic, anthelmintic, emetic, from the bark of preparing drugs for tuberculosis, bronchitis, colds and tooth pain, powdered bark and roots kept on the wounds, oozing sores, burns, fractures were treated bones, sprains, gout, etc.

Currently, scientific medicine is used as a medicinal raw material only elderberry flowers. Their scope is also limited, although the plant found a number of biologically active substances, which can extend the range of its application: it is tannins, organic acids, vitamins E and S, glycosides, essential oils. Dried Flowers elderberry black part of the sweatshops and diuretics fees, infusions of flowers recommended for stomatitis and sore throat as a rinse. Fruits, bark, stems and leaves in scientific medicine are not used.

Sour-sweet fruits are edible - used by the food industry for food dyes marmalades, dragees, caramels, creams for cakes and other confectionery products. Fresh or dried leaves and flowers are used in perfumery. Beauticians and dermatologists around the world use the flowers and fruits of black elderberry: decoction of flowers in the form of washes and compresses prescribed for inflammatory skin diseases, eczema, acne and seborrhea.

On elder black elderberry is very similar to grass: it is also black, only the smaller fruit - in medicine, they do not drink, use only as a food dye. When gathering flowers it is necessary to make sure that the plant is woody and not grassy.

Flowers collected before the start of shedding of mouth, cutting shears or scissors, all the inflorescence as a whole. Tara serves basket - the raw material they do not condense, otherwise it darkens in drying. Strictly prohibited during the harvesting breaking branches. Drying preferably with thermal heating. Temperature of 50-60 œ C. Raw materials suitable for use within 2 years.