Hey folks!  Reblogging this post on elderberries I wrote a while back because they are an invaluable remedy for colds, flus, coughs, and sore throats!

herbalhealing:

Elderberry (Sambucis nigra. S. canadensis, S. mexicana)

Elder shrubs dripping with their heavy load of berries in the fall, or shining with their starry flowers in the early summer, are a welcome sight!  This bountiful shrub contains potent medicine that even tastes good!  All species of the elder with blue and black berries can be used interchangeably.

Elder flowers arrive in early July and you can harvest these in bunches when they are at their peak, keeping in mind any flowers harvested will not turn into berries later that season.  The flowers are a safe and effective relaxing diaphoretic (meaning it promotes sweating) herb that is very mild tasting - for these reasons it is often used to treat fevers in young children. Elder flowers can also be used as a bath herb or for external washes to soothe and soften the skin.

Elderberries are a tasty treat that also have many medicinal properties such as immunomodulating, anti-oxidant, and antiviral. This can make it an important ally at the first signs of a cold or flu. Because of its cooling tendencies, it may be appropriate to add a more warming herb, like ginger, when taking it for a cold with symptoms of being cold.  The leaves and bark of this plant also contain strong medicinal properties mostly used for emetic and laxative effects. It’s recommended that a person interested in using these parts in this manner consult with a trained practitioner.

Elderberry syrup is a delicious addition to any herbal medicine cabinet - recipe will be posted soon!