ELDER / Black Elder / Bore Tree / Devil's Wood / Frau Hollie / Judas Tree / Pipe Tree / Sambucus nigra - Caprifoliaceae (Tree). N.B: Do not use if Pregnant or Breast Feeding. N.B: The Bark, Green Berries, Leaves & Roots are poisonous if Digested. N.B: Also keep the Tree away from Drains. Main Use: Used for Colds & Influenza to fight Infections, particularly those due to Viruses such as the Common Cold & Influenza. Actions: Alterative, Diuretic & Soporific.
Cultivation: A tall multi - stemmed shrub - tree that is cold - hardy with deep green Leaves that repel Flies, Mosquitoes & Midges that is easily grown from Suckers of the semi - ripe wood cuttings in Late Summer or cuttings of ripe - wood in Autumn. Allow ample room and water to produces tiny, creamy - white fragrant Flowers in a moist well - drained soil with full Sun to partial shade. Use the Flowers collected in the Spring and early Summer and dry rapidly in the shade. Collect the fresh Seed in Autumn or stratify older Seed for 4 weeks - See under Echinacea) to propagate. Use a Leaf Infusion to repel Aphids, Cabbage Loopers, Leafhoppers, Mites & Whitefly. Products: Berries - ripe, Flowers, (and the Leaves - Insecticidal use only.) Berries: Collected when black in the Autumn have similar properties to the Flowers and are a Mild Aperient, Diaphoretic, Diuretic & Laxative and can be made into Jams, Jellies, Soft Drinks & Wine, as they contain Anthrocyanic, traces of Essential Oil, Invert Sugar Fruit Acids, Pigments, Tannin and are rich in Vitamin C & P and many Bioflavanoids. Sambucol extracted from the Berries is Anti - Viral as they bind with the Viruses before they enter the Cells preventing them from entering and replicating. Stimulates the reproduction of Lymphocytes. (Important Immune System White Cells.) and is also an Anti - Oxidant and used for Herpes Virus & Epstein - Barr Virus. Also may be helpful for treating Aids. High in Vitamin A & C the Berry Juice is fermented to produce Elderberry Wine. Freeze the Berries for use later on but cook for a few minutes first and use in baked goods. Flowers: Collect early when there is no dew and spread out on clean paper and place in a dark, dry and warm position for several days. Flowers used in Eye Lotions and for Skin Conditions. Used fresh also to make Elderflower Wine, Cordial or a herbal Infusion. Flowers: are Anti - Catarrhal, Diaphoretic & Laxative as they contain Essential Oil, Flavanoids including Isoquercitrine, Hydrocyanic Glycoside, Kampherol, Rutin, Sambunigrine & Tannins.
Used to Treat: Bath: as an Infusion of Elder Flowers. Bronchitis: combined with other herbs. Bruises: as an Ointment - See Leaves below. Chilblains: See Leaves below. Colds: Clears out Toxins of a Cold and breaks up Catarrh - See Flowers below. Constipation: combined with other herbs. Nasal - Catarrh - Chronic: with Deafness. Cough: as either an Infusion of Elder Flowers and / or add a pinch of powdered Ginger, a few Cloves and some Blackcurrant Syrup to taste and simmer for an Anti - Septic and warming medicine. Cystitis: combined with other herbs. Deafness - Catarrhal: See Flowers below. Diarrhoea: combined with other herbs. Dropsy: Epstein - Barr Virus: with Ripe Berries - Sambucol - See below. Eye Conditions: as a Lotion, Wash with an Infusion of Elder Flowers as they contain a semi - Volatile Oil that is mildly Astringent and a gentle Stimulant to the Skin. Fever: See Flowers below. Flu: See Flowers below. Fluid Retention: combined with other herbs or as a singular Tea as an effective Diuretic. Freckles: with Elder Flower Water as it whitens the Skin. Hay Fever: See Flowers below. Hair - Grey: with a rinse from the dried Ripe Berries made into an Infusion and add a pinch of Alum & Salt for extra brightness. Herpes Virus: with the Ripe Berries - Sambucol - See below. HIV: with the Ripe Berries - Sambucol - See below. Immune System: Infections: Used to fight Viruses such as Colds & Influenza. Kidneys: the Ripe Berries can be used to cleanse. Mouth - Wash & Gargle: Used for Mouth & Throat Inflammations. Obesity: Rheumatism: Flowers combined with other herbs or as a singular Tea as an effective Diuretic. The Ripe Berries have similar properties and can be used also for this Condition. Sinusitis: See Flowers below. Skin Conditions: as an Infusion of Elder Flowers or in Cosmetic Creams as they contain a Semi - Volatile Oil that is mildly Astringent and a gentle stimulant. Elder Flower Water assists to normalize excessively oily Skin as it whitens the Skin. Skin - Toner: with Elder Flowers as Cosmetic Creams or in beauty preparations and / or combine 3 Tablespoons of Cucumber Juice with 125ml of Elder Flower Water in a clear, clean glass bottle and add 2 Tablespoons of Rosewater and cap securely and shake well. Then slowly add 1 Tablespoon of Tincture of Benzoin - Friar's Balsam and shake before use, and if the mixture is too thick add a little more Elder Flower Water to suite. Sprains: with the Leaves as an Ointment. Stomach: the Ripe Berries can be used to cleanse. Sunburn: with Elder Flower Water as it softens and whitens the Skin. Throat - Infections: with an Infusion of Elder Flowers as a hot Tea. Tumours: External - See Leaves below. Tonsillitis: Urinary Conditions: the young Leaves brewed into a Tea and / or combined with other herbs as an effective Diuretic. Viral Infections: Wounds: See Leaves below. Elder Dessert: 1 Kg of fresh Ripe Berries, crush and sieve to extract the Juice, peel and core an Apple, put it in a Blender with the Elder Juice. Add 500ml of Natural Yoghurt and the juice of one Lemon, sweeten with Honey and blend. Adjust proportions to suite taste either with more Yoghurt or Lemon Juice. Elder Juice: Boil the fresh Ripe Berries in water for 2 to 3 minutes, crush, add I part of Honey to 10 parts of Juice and dilute to taste with hot water, and drink a cupful 2 to 3 times a day. Elderberry Wine is a safe Soporific and Induces healthy Sleep. Tincture: 1 to 2ml x 3 times a day. Pancakes: 200gr Flour, 3 Eggs, 500ml Milk and 6 Tablespoons dried Elder Flowers and cook in buttered or oiled pan and sprinkle with Lemon Juice & Honey. Tincture: 2 to 4ml x 3 times a day made from the Flowers. Leaves: Externally as an Emollient & Vulnerary and as an Ointment or Poultice for Bruises, Chilblains, Sprains, Tumours & Wounds. Gargle: Milk can be used instead of water. Infusion: 2 teaspoons of the Flowers per cup and drink 3 times a day and has a pleasant flavour. Ointment: 3 parts of fresh Elder Leaves heated with 6 parts melted Vaseline until Leaves are crisp then strain & store. Tea Infusion: Pour boiling water onto 2 teaspoons of the dried or fresh Flowers per cup and Infuse for 10 minutes and drink while hot 3 times a day. Used as a Tea the Flowers are ideal for Colds, Fevers & Influenza combined with Peppermint & Yarrow.
ELECAMPANE / Inula helenium / Compositae. Asia & Europe. Main Use: The number one Anti - Septic Respiratory herb for the treatment of all Respiratory Allergies, Infections & Coughing affecting the Lungs. Used also for a Complexion Wash. Actions: Anti - Bacterial, Anti - Tussive, a powerful Expectorant and valuable ingredient in Cough mixtures, Stomachic also an effective Diaphoretic & Diuretic. Soothing due to its high Mucilage content, it is the highest plant source of Inulin and also contains Allantoin. Used together with Echinacea, Garlic & Rosehips. Cultivation: A bold perennial plant with long divided roots. Product: Root alone used. Easy to grow -and dig up the Rhizome in Autumn.
Used to Treat: Asthma: Bacterial Infection: Bronchitis: Bronchial Asthma: Coughs - Ticklish: Digestive System: Sluggish. Emphysema: Intestinal Parasites: Laryngitis: Lung Conditions: Lungs - Scarred - Weak: assists in healing and to remove old Infective material. Mucus: Temperature: reduces gradually. Toxins: maximizes the excretion. Tuberculosis: Infusion: 1 x teaspoon per cup. Tincture: 1 1/2 to 4 ml x 3 times a day. Respiratory System: to clear.
Horses: Specific as an Anti - Septic Respiratory Herb, Used for all Respiratory Infections, Allergies & Coughing affecting the Lungs as it assists in healing weak and scarred Lungs. Used to remove old Infective material and Mucus and as part of a mixture to treat Bleeders. Soothing due to its high Mucilage content.
EMBELIA / Embelia ribes. India. Similar to a stunted Redcurrant bush. Product: the Fruits are used. Actions: Taenicide properties. Used to Treat: Tapeworms: to expel.
ENGLISH PEA / Pisum sativum. Used to Treat: Stroke:
ENGLISH PLANTAIN - Used to Treat: Bronchitis: Skin Conditions:
EPACAC - Vomiting: to induce.
EPHEDRA / Ma Huang / Chinese Ephedra / Ephedra sinica - China & Mongolia cold areas. N.B: Do not use if suffering from a history of very High Blood Pressure. N.B: Can cause Anxiety, Insomnia, Restlessness and possibly High Blood Pressure. (Not for children) Constituents: contains the Alkaloid. Ephedrine. Actions: Nervine & Tonic. Cultivation: A tall growing plant with graceful arching fronds. Product: the Stems are used. Used to Treat: Blood Purifier, Bronchial - Asthma: Colds: Ear - Ache: Fainting: Hay Fever: Skin Conditions: Urticaria.
EPIMEDIUM / Epimedium - Used to Treat: Inhibited Sexual Desire in Women,
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