Many people don’t know that elderberry flower syrup, a childhood favorite, is made from a flower that does wonders for the immune system.
Elderberries grow in villages, near houses and fences, on hills and hillsides, in woodland glades or on the edges of forests. But they can also be found in the plains and at the foot of mountains.
Elderberries have been well-known your grandmothers since ancient times, being one of the most popular and effective herbs in natural medicine, alongside the delicious syrup.
The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of elderberries were already used by the Indians, who made herbal tea from the fruit, which then was used for skin and eye care.
Tea made from elderflowers, elderberry bark and fresh elderflower buds are also widely used as folk medicine: the flower and berries are the part of the plant that can be used for medicinal purposes. The flowers are collected in May and June, and the ripe berries in August-September. (This year, thanks to the weather, its fragrant flowers have opened or are opening in many places.)
According to folk medicine, elderberries are also a good remedy for coughs, respiratory ailments, constipation and stomach aches.
Herbal tea made from elderflowers is one of the best home remedies for strengthening the immune system (its vitamin C content is double that of citrus fruits, combined with vitamins A and B, special flavonoids, antioxidants, fruit acids and bioflavonoids).
Elderflower tea
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon elderflower
- 250 ml boiling water
Place elderflower in a pot, pour boiling water over it, cover the pot and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Strain the infusion through a plastic strainer. When it has cooled down to lukewarm, it can be sweetened with honey. Recommended dose: one cup of herbal tea three times a day after meals.
Important: to treat colds, you can drink 6-8 cups a day, but for no more than 3-4 consecutive days.
Elderberry flowers work wonders for the skin.
Elderberry flowers are an excellent detoxifier, and therefore they make a natural remedy for skin rashes, boils and acne.
Elderberry flowers are a natural immune booster and antioxidant, able to slow down the ageing process. The vitamin A they contain not only soothes the skin, but also helps to reduce the appearance of age spots and prevents or reduces wrinkles.
Elderberry flowers fried in batter
Ingredients
- Elderflower
- Eggs
- Milk
- Flour
- Sugar
- Oil
Wash and drain the freshly picked elderflowers thoroughly. Make a thick pancake batter from eggs, flour, a little sugar and milk. Heat up the oil. Dip the flowers first in flour, then in the pancake batter and fry in the hot oil until golden brown. Serve warm, sprinkled with vanilla sugar or cinnamon sugar.
Side effects of raw elderflowers
Raw elderflowers, as well as the seeds, leaves and bark of the tree, contain a toxic substance. Eating them raw can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.