Red elderberry is a poisonous shrub that has an unpleasant aroma and a specific taste. Egg-shaped scarlet berries are similar to a bunch of grapes. Besides the fact that this plant is used for landscaping in gardens and park areas, it can be useful in the treatment of certain diseases.

The composition of red elderberry

The composition of many useful elements: vitamins C, E, B and A, organic acids, tannins and tannins, rutin, natural sugar (sucrose and fructose), carotene, paraffin substances, essential oils, calcium and iron, potassium and minerals (selenium, copper, sodium , zinc and phosphorus). There is also phytosterol, ceryl alcohol and pectins in the cortex, and flavonoids in color.

Nutritional value per 100 g of berries:

• carbohydrates - 11 g;
• fats - 0.5 g;
• proteins - 0.65 g.

The energy value of 100 g is 73 kcal.

The unripe fruits of red elderberry contain a lot of toxic substance (glycoside sambunigrin), which breaks down into benzaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid.

Is it possible to eat red elderberry

The opinion that the berries in question cannot be consumed at all is erroneous. So that the toxic substances contained in these fruits break up and do not harm the human body, they should be heat-treated or dried.

Only in taste and smell, they, unlike black elderberry, are not particularly pleasant. Some species of birds and animals can eat them, but mice avoid this plant, since they cannot tolerate its smell.

Important! You can’t consume berries in their raw form - they can cause serious poisoning.

Therapeutic and beneficial properties

• Red elderberry has long been used to treat various health problems. It has the following beneficial properties:
• has a diuretic and laxative effect;
• relieves inflammation;
• removes sputum;
• lowers fever;
• relieves pain;
• inhibits microbes;
• is a good antiseptic.

Infusion of flowers as an internal remedy for use is used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, headache and rheumatism. Topically used for tonsillitis and inflammation in the oral cavity. As a laxative, they prepare jelly from berries.

Recipes and uses in traditional medicine

Official herbal medicine does not include elderberry red as a medicinal plant. But in folk medicine they use almost all parts of this plant culture, but most often bark and flowers are used.

Did you know? This plant crop was mentioned as medicinal in the treatise of the medieval herbalist Hieronymus Bok in 1546.

Bark infusion

Bark is used for asthma, bronchitis and cough. A medical infusion is prepared from it as follows: finely ground bark in an amount of 1 tbsp. l 0.3 liters of freshly boiled water are steamed and insisted for 2.5–3 hours. Then filter through a fine strainer. Such an infusion is used as a warm drink 3-4 times during the day.

From the flowers of red elderberry

The dried elderberry color is used for treatment, since during this process the sambunigrin glycoside disappears.

Did you know? Spongy fibers that are located in the middle of the branch considered plants are used as an insulating layer in precision measuring instruments.

Infusion

The infusion of the flowers of this plant culture is used as an antipyretic, for rheumatism, for colds, bronchitis and asthma. It is prepared as follows: 2 hours of raw materials are steamed with 250 ml of boiled water and insisted for 15-20 minutes. Use as a drink 120-125 ml twice a day - in the morning and evening.

Decoction

A decoction of flowers also has healing properties.

It is prepared and used as follows:

1. For the treatment of fungus on the soles of the feet. Pour 2 tbsp. a glass of water, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 8-10 minutes. After the broth is poured into a bowl and add 0.5 l of water. Stops are placed in the tank for 20 minutes. Then they take it out, but do not choose, but let it dry.
2. With sore throat and inflammation in the oral cavity prepare the next broth - bring 250 ml of water to a boil, throw 1 tbsp. raw materials and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Then let cool and gargle.
3. Against migraine. For this, 2 tbsp. pour 250 ml of water and put on fire. As soon as the liquid boils, remove from the stove and let stand. This flower decoction consume 100-120 ml in the morning and evening in a warm state.

Alcohol tincture

For treatment, they also use alcohol tincture of red elderberry inflorescences. It is prepared as follows: pour the raw materials with alcohol in a ratio of 1 to 10. After 10-14 days, the mixture is poured through a sieve. For colds, rheumatism and bronchitis, take 30 drops orally 2 times a day (morning and evening).

With menopause, tincture is prepared on the basis of a ratio of 1 to 5. Insist 14 days, filter and take 30 drops 3 times a day.

With rheumatism, joint diseases, varicose veins, a grind of flowers and roots of red elderberry is prepared. For its preparation 3 tbsp. roots and flowers are mixed with 0.5 l of vodka. Insist 21–28 days in a dark place. Then the mixture is filtered and used for grinding sick areas.

Application in cosmetology

External use of red elderberry has practically no contraindications and is used in home cosmetics.

From this plant, you can make the following phytocosmetics:

1. Sensitive sensitive skin lotion. For him, 5-6 Art. dry inflorescences pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 15 minutes. Then the infusion is filtered and rubbed on his face twice a day. Within two weeks, the skin condition improves.
2. Whitening tonic. Two glasses of boiling water are poured into 3 tbsp. fresh fruit and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Then the broth is allowed to cool and filtered. Wipe the skin twice a day.
3. Anti-aging mask. Dry fruits and leaves of red elderberry are crushed (in a meat grinder or coffee grinder) and mixed with sour cream in a ratio of 1 to 1. The mask is applied to the skin for 20 minutes, and then washed off.

Collection and harvesting of raw materials

Red elderberry flowers are harvested during the period of their full disclosure. Usually this happens in May - June (depending on the region of growth). The bark is removed from a young bush in mid-spring (in April), when sap flow has already begun. Berries are harvested only during their full ripening. Raw materials are dried in a dry, ventilated room, without direct sunlight. Then it is placed in a clean glass dish and tightly closed. Store in a dark, dry room with a temperature regime of + 5 ... + 25 ° С.

Contraindications

• Red elderberry preparations are taken only in small doses prescribed by doctors. There are also contraindications for them:
• during pregnancy and lactation;
• age up to 14 years;
• exacerbations of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, peptic ulcer, colitis);
• acute conditions with pancreatitis;
• diabetes;
• individual intolerance;
• Crohn's disease.

Important! With an overdose of red elderberry preparations, poisoning may occur. For symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, abdominal pain, palpitations, you should rinse your stomach and take activated coal. Then call an ambulance.

Red elderberry is a beautiful and useful plant, but is not used in cooking. But it can be used for medicinal purposes and for the preparation of home cosmetics. It should be borne in mind that domestic consumption has very limited dosages and a number of contraindications.