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The description and medicinal properties of black elderberry are of great interest to fans of traditional medicine. This plant is often planted in areas not only for decorative purposes, but also for medicinal purposes. In order for the elderberry not to cause harm, it is worth carefully studying its features.
What does black elderberry look like
Of the many varieties of elderberry, it is the black one that is the most common. It belongs to the Honeysuckle family, it is most often found in the form of a tall shrub with a wide dense crown. The maximum height of the shrub can be up to 10 m, but in temperate regions it often grows up to only 2-6 m.
According to the photo and description of the black elderberry, it is easily recognizable by its brownish-gray branches and oval elongated green leaves with pointed ends. In May or early June, the shrub blooms with beautiful white or yellowish umbellate inflorescences, and its flowers exude a pleasant almond aroma. In August, the plant bears fruit – small dark purple berries with 2-3 seeds inside.
Is it possible to eat black elderberry
The fruits of black elderberry contain toxic substances that are dangerous to the human body. However, their concentration is low, much lower than in the berries of red elderberry. Therefore, eating fruits is allowed, but in minimal quantities, and it is even better to pre-cook or dry them.
Where does black elderberry grow
The plant is widely distributed throughout the globe in the southern regions and in the middle lane. Black elderberry grows in Asia and North Africa, in the Transcaucasus and New Zealand and even in the Azores, it can be found in Georgia and Armenia, in Ukraine and Belarus, Moldova.
In Our Country, the shrub is found in the southern regions of the European part – mainly in the Crimea and the Caucasus. As the photos confirm, black elderberry grows almost everywhere, its favorite places are deciduous and coniferous forests, but you can also meet the plant on wastelands, on roadsides and even in abandoned cemeteries.
In its natural habitat, elderberry can grow as a free-standing tree, but it also takes root well in shrubs. Moreover, the rapid growth of the plant leads to the fact that it itself often forms dense thickets.
When is black elderberry harvested?
Useful properties and contraindications of black elderberry are highly valued in folk medicine, while not only fruits, but also other parts are used for treatment. Therefore, the collection time depends on which part of the plant needs to be harvested.
- The fruits of the plant, which have the greatest benefit, are harvested during the period of natural ripening – in August, after the berries acquire a rich black and purple color.
- Flowers appear on the branches of a shrub in May or early June, and at this time they are collected, and it is customary to cut off not individual flowers, but the entire inflorescence with a pruner.
- Leaves are also harvested in late spring or early summer, simultaneously with flowers – the younger the foliage, the more valuable substances it contains.
- The bark of the plant is harvested in the spring, before the start of the growing season, while the juice has not yet begun to move inside the elderberry, and the roots – in September, after the last fruits are collected.
For medicinal purposes, the berries, flowers and leaves of black elderberry can be used fresh, but the roots are best dried in the sun or in the oven at a minimum temperature.
Black elderberry in landscape design + photo
Ornamental black elderberry trees and shrubs are highly valued in landscape design. Use the plant in both large and small areas. In the first case, elderberry can serve as an addition to tall garden trees, and in the second, it can replace them with itself, helping to decorate a small garden lushly and expressively.
In private areas, in gardens and parks, black elderberry is used:
- to create natural and artistic hedges – several shrubs planted side by side or next to other plants reliably hide the territory from prying eyes;
- as a bright accent in empty areas or near the blank walls of residential buildings;
- to repel insect pests and to eliminate unpleasant odors – elderberry not only pleases with its beautiful appearance, but also benefits, being located near compost heaps or latrines in a summer cottage.
In landscaping, the black elderberry blends well with taller plants, as it emphasizes their slender forms and beauty. Just as often, black elderberry is planted next to flower beds and undersized bushes, in which case it acts as the center of an artistic composition.
Another use of shrubs is to create a strong protective barrier next to fragile and weak plants. The shrub covers the area well from the wind, and if the garden is located near the highway, it also stops the advance of polluted dusty air.
Planting and caring for black elderberries
Despite the fact that the shrub feels best in the southern regions, it is also very suitable for growing in temperate climates. Under the conditions of the middle lane, black elder is unlikely to reach the maximum possible height, however, the cold climate will not affect the beauty of the plant and the fruiting.
The shrub is undemanding to lighting and can grow in both sunny and shaded areas. True, ornamental plant species in the shade lose their attractive color, so it is recommended to select places for them with a sufficient amount of sunlight.
Planting black elderberry is quite simple, but you need to pay attention to the soil.
- The shrub prefers loose loams with a moderate level of moisture. In addition, soil fertility is very important for black elderberry – on depleted soil, it will not be able to grow high enough. If the elder is planned to be planted precisely as an accent tall shrub, then a month before planting, compost and mineral fertilizers must be applied to the soil.
- Shrub planting is carried out in spring or autumn, and it is best to use seedlings that have reached 2 years of age as planting material.
- A hole for planting a seedling is dug out so that the root system of a young shrub is freely placed in it. When deepening the plant, it is advisable to adhere to the same depth at which the shrub is used to growing.
Immediately after planting, it is recommended to cut the shrub a little, removing diseased and dried branches first, and water it properly.
Caring for black elderberry can be considered quite simple, it does not require much effort from the gardener.
- Since the shrub prefers moderately moist soils, additional watering is rarely done – the black elderberry should be abundantly fed with moisture only during a drought.
- Fertilizing the plant should be done only when the elderberry obviously stops growing and begins to weaken. Many gardeners prefer to simply annually mulch the trunk circle with manure or compost – the nutrient layer not only saturates the soil with useful substances, but also eliminates loosening and weeding the soil.
- Black elderberry is usually pruned for sanitary purposes once a year, in early spring – the removal of dry and damaged branches is necessary in order to protect the shrub from diseases and pests. A decorative haircut can be carried out only once every 5 years, more often it is simply not required, although elderberry recovers surprisingly quickly after pruning.
As for wintering, the black elderberry perfectly tolerates severe frosts and does not need shelter. Even if some of the shoots of the shrub freeze, with the beginning of a new growing season, the elderberry will quickly recover.
What is useful black elderberry
The medicinal properties of black elderberry are used in the treatment of dozens of various ailments, including very serious ones. However, parts of the plant differ in chemical composition and therefore provide different benefits in home medicine.
Medicinal properties of black elderberries
The most useful part of the plant is considered to be its fruits, they contain a huge amount of vitamins, minerals, organic acids and antioxidants. The medicinal properties of black elderberry fruits help:
- with colds and high fever;
- with rheumatism and other inflammatory processes in the joints;
- with metabolic disorders and sluggish intestines;
- with problems with the outflow of bile and difficulty urinating;
- with pancreatitis, hepatitis and diabetes;
- with atherosclerosis and varicose veins.
A variety of medicinal products are prepared on the basis of fresh and dried berries of the bush: decoctions, infusions and alcoholic tinctures. Red elderberry jam has healing properties; drinking it with tea is not only tasty, but also healthy.
Benefits of black elderberry flowers
The flowers of the plant contain a lot of ascorbic acid, glycosides and essential oils, therefore they have strong anti-inflammatory properties. They are most often used in the form of infusions and decoctions in the treatment of influenza and cough, urological inflammation in men and cystitis in women.
In addition, decoctions and infusions of flowers can be added to medicinal baths – the plant also has a very beneficial effect on the skin.
Benefits of black elderberry root
The roots of the shrub contain tannins, saponins and bitterness, which gives the raw material anti-inflammatory, regenerating and rejuvenating properties. Dried elderberry roots are used to make medicinal drinks and are used in the treatment of atherosclerosis, high blood pressure. Root-based decoctions help with diabetes, as they can lower glucose levels.
Infusions and decoctions on the roots are beneficial for urogenital inflammation. And if you wipe the skin with medicinal products, you can quickly get rid of irritations, scratches and ulcers.
Benefits of black elderberry leaves
The leaves of the plant contain an increased amount of ascorbic acid and carotene, they also contain essential oils and resins. In folk medicine, black elderberry leaves are used to prepare painkillers, healing and hemostatic agents.
A decoction of plant leaves in milk is well known, such a remedy helps to quickly heal wounds, burns, diaper rash and abscesses on the skin.
What does black elderberry treat?
Home medicine offers many effective recipes to help get rid of the symptoms of mild and serious ailments. The properties of black elderberry become especially valuable in the fight against dangerous chronic diseases.
The use of black elderberries in oncology
Reviews of black elderberry for cancer claim that plant-based remedies are beneficial for oncological tumors, especially if the foci of the disease are located in the stomach, prostate gland and prostate adenoma. The healing effect can be obtained if you use the tincture on the berries of the plant, and it is prepared as follows:
- the fruits of black elderberry are washed, dried and ground on a grater or crushed in a blender, and then squeezed through cheesecloth to obtain fresh juice;
- elderberry juice in the amount of 3 liters is mixed in a glass jar with 500 g of granulated sugar, the neck of the jar is covered with gauze and cleaned for 3 days in a warm place;
- the fermented tincture is poured into another vessel with a water seal – you can also use a punctured glove worn on the neck of a bottle or jar;
- in this form, the tincture must be kept for another 2-3 weeks until the primary fermentation is over.
It is necessary to use black elderberry tincture for cancer in small quantities – 50 ml three times a day on a full stomach. For better absorption shortly before taking the medicine, it is recommended to drink a glass of plain water. It is necessary to continue treatment with black elderberry for 1,5 months, then it is necessary to take a monthly break and, if necessary, continue therapy.
With myoma of the uterus
Black elderberry increases immunity and overall resistance to poor-quality processes in the body. It is useful to use plant-based products for women who are faced with uterine fibroids.
For the treatment of the disease, traditional medicine suggests the use of several means.
- First of all, you can use syrup on black elderberry, it helps well with both malignant and benign tumors. To prepare the medicine, it is necessary to tamp the fresh berries of the plant and sugar into a small jar in layers, and then insist for a month in the dark to get a sweet syrup. Take this remedy in the amount of a large spoon 3 times a day.
- Beneficial in the fight against fibroids decoction of dried berries. Approximately 30 g of fruit should be poured with a liter of hot water and boiled on the stove, and then insisted for half an hour and filtered. You need to drink a decoction three times a day on an empty stomach, only a quarter cup.
If a woman does not have alcohol intolerance, you can use the classic anti-cancer tincture of elderberry, to prepare it, 3 liters of elderberry juice are mixed with 500 g of sugar, kept in a warm place for 3 days, and then infused for 2-3 weeks in a vessel with a water seal for high-quality fermentation. Take this tincture of 50 ml on an empty stomach.
With diabetes mellitus
Healing remedies based on black elderberry lower blood glucose levels and regulate insulin production. With diabetes, the plant can be of great benefit, especially traditional medicine appreciates a decoction prepared from the roots. It is very simple to make it – a large spoonful of dried chopped raw materials is poured into a glass of hot water and boiled for half an hour over low heat.
You need to take a decoction three times a day, 3-4 sips, this should be done on an empty stomach. Also, in case of illness, it is recommended to take baths with the addition of a decoction of flowers.
Women’s health benefits
Black elderberry can bring special benefits to the female body. First of all, the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant find their application in the treatment of gynecological ailments. Infusions and decoctions of black elderberry are used for rubbing, douching and sitz baths – the funds quickly relieve discomfort and eliminate infections.
Benefits of black elderberry for weight loss. If you use decoctions of fruits and flowers in small quantities during the diet, the plant will help speed up the metabolism and thereby help get rid of excess weight. Baths with the addition of plant infusions not only have a strengthening effect on the body, but also tighten and rejuvenate the skin of the body.
It is impossible not to mention the use of elderberries in cosmetology. Fresh berries, crushed to a state of gruel, when applied to the face, help get rid of acne and blackheads. And if you regularly wash your face with a decoction on the flowers of the plant, this will lighten the skin and eliminate freckles and age spots.
For joint diseases
The anti-inflammatory properties of the plant help with joint diseases – relieve pain, reduce swelling and improve mobility. Traditional medicine offers 2 main remedies.
- Medicine for arthritis. Dried flowers and elderberry leaves, dry nettle and parsley root are mixed in equal amounts, and then 2 large spoons of the collection are measured and brewed in 500 ml of boiling water for 20 minutes. You need to drink a decoction four times a day, 100 ml shortly before eating.
- Infusion for gout. In inflammatory processes and salt deposits in the joints, another remedy helps – 5 large spoons of dried flowers are poured with a liter of hot water and left for 4 hours. After that, the infusion is filtered, and then drunk twice a day on an empty stomach, half a glass.
Medicinal drinks based on black elderberry are recommended to drink warm – so they will bring great benefits.
Restrictions and contraindications for admission
The properties of elderberry can have not only beneficial, but also harmful effects on the body. First of all, you can not abuse the raw berries of the plant. And the root of the shrub must be dried before use. When using infusions and decoctions, small dosages should be observed.
In addition, black elderberry must be discarded:
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers;
- in the acute phase of gastritis, stomach ulcers or pancreatitis;
- with Crohn’s disease;
- in the presence of individual intolerance.
Reviews about black elderberry warn children that it is only possible to offer remedies from this plant to adolescents after 12 years of age – at an earlier age, home remedies will harm the child.
Conclusion
The description and medicinal properties of black elderberry allow us to conclude that in small quantities this plant is very beneficial for health and can help even with serious ailments. But an overdose of berries and other parts of the plant can cause severe harm and should not be allowed.
