The elderberry, discover its benefits and medicinal properties
The Elder is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family of Caprifoliaceae and its scientific name is Sambucus nigra and it is considered as a first aid kit with which to prepare various natural remedies.
This plant uses both berries and leaves and flowers. The leaves are used only for external use to relieve sprains, bumps, chilblains, wounds. The flowers are used for cases of colds, allergies, colds or flu, sinusitis. The berries to improve the cases of rheumatism. 
The properties of elderberry are the following: it is a diuretic plant, laxative, purifying, antioxidant, expectorant, sudorific, anticatarral, diaphoretic, vulnerary, emollient, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, relaxing and healing.
On the other hand, it is also useful to discover what active ingredients we find with this wonderful and well-known plant. In its flowers we find flavonoids, cyanogenetic glucoside, tannins and essential oil. While in its berries we find organic acids, vitamin C, tannin, invert sugar and some traces of essential oil.
The elderberry is used both for internal consumption and for external use. This medicinal plant can be obtained in herbalists, parapharmacies, pharmacies that dispense natural products and in online stores.
Regarding the formats in which we can get Elderberry are the following: dry plant, capsules, extract, tincture, sachets for infusions, juices and juices and also in ointments.
Discover how to prepare 3 home remedies with Elderberry
Infusion of elder flowers to relieve cold symptoms
Elder flowers are beneficial to treat and relieve the symptoms that accompany the cold, are also appropriate to improve allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy nose.
To prepare this infusion we will need:
- A cup of mineral water.
- 2 teaspoons fresh or dried elderflower.
preparation:
Put the water in a saucepan to be heated and once it starts to boil add the flowers of elderberry.
Turn off the heat, cover the infusion and let it rest for 10 minutes.
We fill the infusion and we will take it rather warm.
To add even more beneficial properties to this infusion and help improve cold symptoms we can add a teaspoon of honey.
From this infusion we can take 3 cups a day. 
Homemade ointment from Elderberry to heal cracks in the skin
This homemade elderberry ointment is very easy to prepare and very effective in case of needing to heal certain wounds such as cracks in the skin of the hands, breasts.
We only need 6 parts of liquid petrolatum and half of fresh leaves of elderberry.
preparation:
Mix both ingredients and put them to heat with low heat until the leaves become brittle.
Then remove from heat, strain and let cool the preparation.
Once the preparation or ointment is cold, store it in a glass container that has been previously sterilized and sealed so that it stays well.
We will store the preparation in the fridge to use when we need it.
Application:
We put some of this ointment on the cracked areas of the skin and extend well.
We can apply the elderflower ointment 2 or 3 times a day until we notice improvement.
How to prepare a Elderberry syrup with this homemade recipe
Prepare an elderflower syrup is very easy and this drink is also a good effective remedy to prevent or improve colds as well as to raise the defenses and face seasonal changes, both spring and autumn.
It is an ideal drink for both the children of the house and for adults, which can be considered a refreshing drink completely natural.
Ingredients:
- 40 large heads of elder flowers.
- 4 liters of hot mineral water, previously boiled.
- 2,600 grams of sugar.
- 2 lemons and a half.
- 100 grams of citric acid.
Elaboration:
In a cauldron we put the heads of elder flowers.
Heat the 4 liters of water until it boils.
We put the boiling water over the elder flowers and add the citric acid, sugar, the grated skin of the lemons, and the lemons cut into slices.
We remove a little with care and cover the preparation leaving it to rest for 2 days.
After the time, we strain the preparation filtering it with a fine or Chinese sieve.
Once cast, we store the syrup in glass bottles previously sterilized and hermetically sealed.
In case we are not going to consume at the same time all the syrup we have prepared we can freeze part of the syrup and have it available for any time of the year that we want to taste it. 
Contraindications of Elderberry
This medicinal plant is contraindicated in the following cases:
- During pregnancy.
- During the period of lactation.
- In children under 12 years old.
- People who have an allergy to the plants of the family "Caprifoliaceae".
Before taking or using this medicinal plant it is advisable to consult with the doctor, pharmacists or therapists, as well as to follow its guidelines and advice regarding the way of use and consumption. ThemesMedicinal plants
