Elderberry red: useful, but underestimated plant. Elderberry red and black, description

Red elderberry, also known as bushy or common elderberry (lat. Sambucus racemosa) is a perennial plant, which is a low shrub or tree. It has long been known in European countries as an element of the garden landscape, and as ornamental shrub near private houses. In addition, people have long used beneficial features this plant.

The elderberry is a shrub with a large number of straight stems coming from the base (in rare cases, a tree), the height of which varies from one and a half to three to five meters.
The bark may be smooth and flaky to the touch. On the surface of the bark there are lenticels (tubercles of a white hue), through which the plant breathes.

In spring, large, oval-ovoid buds appear. The leaves are opposite, pinnate, composed of five to seven leaflets. Leaflets are ovate or oblong-lanceolate, have a serrate-toothed edge, the length varies from five to ten centimeters. The leaves have a specific characteristic smell. The content of anthocyanin in young leaves is high enough, so they have a dark red or purple-black hue.

The flowers of the shrub are small, with a strong unpleasant aroma. The plant bears flowers of both sexes. Perianth double, five-membered. The corolla is wheel-shaped, has a light yellow or greenish-yellow, closer to golden color. The flower has five stamens. Elderberry begins to bloom in the second half of May, or in early June, at the same time the leaves bloom, this period lasts about a crescent. Pollen yellow color, pollen grains are three-furrowed-oroid, ellipsoidal in shape.

The fruit is a drupe, bright scarlet. Ripening occurs in the second half of July or early August. Berries have a characteristic, unpleasant taste and aroma, but when ripe, it cannot be called poisonous.
The most popular variety, which is widely used in landscape design city ​​parks and squares, and also grows on household plots gardeners, the Sutherland Gold variety is considered. This variety has beautiful and dense golden yellow foliage.

The difference between black elderberry and red

In nature, there are more than twenty species of elderberry, most of them are attributed medicinal properties, but at the same time, many of its species are famous for their aesthetic merits, due to which they are widely used for decorative purposes in personal plots.
Within our country there are nine species that are shrubs, trees or herbaceous plants. Red, black and Canadian types of elder are widely used in our country.

Other differences between these species are as follows:

1. Black elderberry fruits can be eaten, as they are considered edible. Red elderberry has a characteristic unpleasant taste of fruits, so its fruits are not recommended for consumption.
2. The height of the red elderberry plant is much greater than that of the black one.
3. Plants of these two species differ in structure and shade of leaves.
4. The smell of these two species is also different.

The taste of red elderberry is not the only reason for its inedibility. Elderberry red - poisonous. Unripe parts of the plant and fruits are toxic, they contain a poisonous substance - sambunigrin.

The chemical composition of berries

Little is known about the chemical composition of red elderberry, since no one undertook a thorough study of this issue. It is known that its composition contains a sufficient amount of vitamin C, as well as tannin, sugars (glucose, fructose), essential oils, organic acids, tannins, mineral salts and resins.
Unripe parts of the plant and fruits contain the poisonous glycoside sambunigrin, which decomposes into benzaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid.

Useful properties of the plant

The fruits and other parts of the elderberry plant are known for their beneficial properties. However, this plant is not officially used for medical purposes - its composition and effect on the human body have not been sufficiently studied.

Application in traditional medicine

Medicinal properties, among the people, give flowers, fruits, leaves and roots of the shrub. The plant has antispasmodic, antipyretic, anesthetic effects. Different parts of elderberry can cope with the signs of the following diseases:

• Bronchitis, severe cough. An infusion from the bark of a plant is able to get rid of sputum in the lungs.
• Cold, fever. An infusion of dry berries has a diaphoretic effect, and reduces elevated body temperature.
• Hormonal imbalance, menopause. Ingestion, drops, tinctures from elder flowers, on alcohol, normalizes the general condition of the female body.
• Migraine. In this disease, a decoction of red elderberry flowers is used.

Decoctions and tinctures from fruits, leaves and other parts of elder also help with kidney and liver diseases, skin rashes, allergies, diseases of the cardiovascular system, arthritis, psoriasis, and various inflammatory processes.

Use for other purposes

In addition to the decorative use of red elderberry, it is also used in horticulture to repel pests and rodents. To do this indoors or near cultivated plants lay out the stems and leaves of the elderberry red. Their smell can scare away some types of pests.
In home gardens, gardeners use elderberry as a natural detergent. Its fruits, despite the fact that they do not form foam, cope well with hand contamination and dirt on household surfaces.

In European countries, green paint is made from red elderberries, the seeds are processed into oil, which is used later for technical purposes, and alcohol is made from the fruits.

Contraindications for use

Flowers, fruits, leaves of red elderberry are toxic, so use them for medicinal purposes with extreme caution.

For medicinal preparations, only ripe fruits, mature shoots and leaves are used, otherwise the content of hydrocyanic acid can only harm the body. You should not, also, treat folk recipes based on elderberry, children under the age of twelve, pregnant and lactating women.

Red elderberry poisoning

Not everyone is aware that the fruits of the shrub are toxic. When children eat red elderberry berries, it is necessary to call an ambulance, as a small body is unable to cope with poisoning on its own.

Signs of poisoning: dizziness, disorientation in space, nausea and vomiting, bitterness in the throat, perspiration, abdominal pain, diarrhea, increased salivation, increased heart rate.
An adult poisoned organism can be helped by the following measures: wash the stomach with a light solution of potassium permanganate, inducing vomiting, laxatives and charcoal.

Elder red wonderful ornamental plant, widely used in traditional medicine. Whether it is poisonous or not depends on the content of hydrocyanic acid in it, the level of which decreases with ripening.

Elderberry is a shrub that can often be found growing wild. In the photo, it resembles or cranberries. In the people, the red berry is considered medicinal. But doctors say that it has more harm and contraindications than useful properties.

Description of culture

Red - undersized perennial shrub or tree. Its height usually does not exceed 4 m. The plant is quite sprawling. Elderberry was brought to Russia from Western Europe.

A distinctive feature of the culture is its unpretentiousness: it tolerates any soil, cool climate, does not suffer from smoke and exhaust gases. The elder takes root perfectly on solid rocky areas, in the steppes or in dense forests.

The shrub is growing rapidly. Elderberry blossoms in June, and the shiny scarlet berries ripen by September. At this time, elderberry looks very attractive, so the plant is often used in urban and garden landscapes for decorative purposes. For example, as a hedge or to strengthen sloping areas: embankments or hillsides.

Attention! Berries in diameter reach 5 mm. There is a bone inside. Therefore, the fruits are very fond of birds. However, humans cannot eat them raw.

The use of elderberry as an internal remedy

In alternative medicine, flowers and berries of the shrub are used. Less often - leaves, root and wood. The chemical composition of the fruit has not been thoroughly studied. However, scientists know for sure: sambunigrin is present in the unripe red pulp and leaves. This substance belongs to strong poisons, which, under certain biochemical processes able to form hydrocyanic acid. Its concentration is not as high as in the black relative of the red elderberry, but it can also seriously harm a person without correct processing berries before eating.

Attention! In different elements of elderberry there are also vitamins, organic acids, esters, tannins and other useful substances.

Red elderberry appears exclusively in folk medicines. The range of its application is quite wide.

elderberry bush

Bronchitis, severe cough. Drink an infusion of the bark:

• chop the bark of the plant to make 1 tbsp. l.;
• pour the chips with boiling water - 300 ml;
• leave for 2-3 hours;
• strain;
• use half a glass 3-4 times a day.

stomach ulcer. In this case, make an infusion of berries:

• 1 st. l. dried ripe berries pour 3 liters of boiling water;
• insist 3 hours;
• drink 100 ml three times a day. The course of treatment is 1 month, repeated can be carried out after at least a 2-week pause.

Heat. Red elderberry is used as a diaphoretic. Pour a glass of boiling water 1 tbsp. l. mature dry fruits. Leave for 2 hours. Drink 1 tbsp. l. two or three times a day.

Migraine. Traditional medicine claims that in this case, a flower decoction of elderberry helps. To prepare it, mix 2 tbsp. l. inflorescences with 1 tbsp. water. Put on fire and bring to a boil, let cool. Warm up before taking. Drink slowly in small sips 2 times a day for 100 ml.

Climax. To normalize the functioning of the body during this period, alcohol tincture of flowers is used. Mix them in a ratio of 1 to 5 and infuse in a dark and cool place for 2 weeks. From time to time, the tincture needs to be shaken. Take orally 30 drops three times a day.

Red elderberry as an external medicine. Contraindications for use

Traditional medicine also actively uses recipes with elements of this plant as rubbing and compresses. Red elderberry is used to treat foot diseases - for example, alcohol tincture will help get rid of a heel spur. Fill a 1 liter jar 1/3 full of fresh ripe berries and 2/3 alcohol. Infuse for 1 month in a warm and dark place. The medicine can be applied as a compress or rubbed into sore spots. To enhance the effect at the same time twice a day, it is recommended to take an aqueous decoction of the flowers or the bark of the plant.

Advice. This scheme works in the treatment of all types of arthritis, osteochondrosis, joint deformity or displacement of the vertebrae.

Red elderberry is also used to treat psoriasis and other skin diseases. To do this, use a decoction of the roots:

• pour 1 liter of water into the pan;
• add 5 tbsp. l. crushed plant roots;
• bring to a boil and leave on low heat for 20 minutes;
• refrigerate.

elderberry fruit

Decoction is treated with diseased skin twice a day, using a cotton or bandage swab. Do not wash these areas after treatment.

In parallel, it is desirable to use elderberry infusion inside:

• chop the branches of the bush to get 1 tbsp. l.;
• pour 1 tbsp. boiling water;
• leave for 15 minutes;
• take three times a day for 1 tbsp. l.

Only properly prepared parts of the plant can be used in all recipes. Leaves and flowers are pre-dried, spreading out in a thin layer in the shade on an oilcloth. After drying, they are crushed. The bark can only be collected on young trees, trying to shoot with a whole tube.

Red elderberry should only be taken in small doses, otherwise it will cause nausea and vomiting. But it cannot be treated for children under 14 years of age, people suffering from chronic gastrointestinal diseases and diabetes, as well as during pregnancy.

The benefits and harms of elderberry: video

Common red elderberry, or racemose, is a branchy shrub belonging to the honeysuckle family. Elderberry is poisonous, it is used as a remedy against pests and rodents, as well as with caution in folk medicine.

Elderberry in nature

Elderberry exists in nature in three forms: black, herbaceous and red. Herbaceous elder is rare, with black and red being more common. Elderberry was brought to Russia from Europe. It has long been used to decorate gardens and parks. The unpretentious plant took root perfectly and quickly spread throughout Russia.

The red elderberry is a poisonous shrub with bad smell and taste. Its inflorescences are egg-shaped, the branch with fruits resembles a grape. Berries attract with their beautiful appearance, but it is better not to try them raw - they are not only tasteless, but also poisonous.

Given that elderberry is poisonous, it should be used with the utmost care, strictly following the prescribed dosages, under the supervision of a phytotherapeutist.

Official medicine does not use red elderberry for medicinal purposes, therefore its chemical composition is poorly understood. But it is known that it includes the glycoside sambunigrin, which forms hydrocyanic acid, and this is a well-known poison. However, this plant is used in folk medicine, and leaves, flowers, fruits, bark and roots are used as medicinal raw materials.

Useful properties of red elderberry and its application

The composition of the red elderberry contains the following useful substances:

• vitamin C
• routine
• essential oil
• greasy non-drying oil
• Sahara
• organic acids
• phytoncides
• tannins - glycosides

Infusions, decoctions are prepared from all parts of the plant, which are used to treat joints, tonsillitis, bronchitis, rheumatism, pain during displacement of the vertebrae and other serious diseases. External applications of red elderberry infusion for people suffering from osteochondrosis, heel spurs and other diseases associated with joint deformity turn out to be downright miraculous. Alcohol tincture from fresh elderberries is prepared in a glass jar. One quarter of its volume is occupied by the fruits of the plant, three quarters - vodka. The jar is tightly closed with a lid and placed in a dark place to infuse. Tincture is placed on sore spots in the form of compresses or simply rubbed.

Herbalists offer recipes even for cancer, but in this case you should not count such folk methods panacea - the main treatment should be carried out by traditional medicine

Elderberry red has long gained popularity as a landscape designers and folk healers. This unpretentious plant has a high decorative effect, therefore it is actively used in decorating parks, alleys and private garden plots. In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used to prepare medicines for various ailments.

Botanical description

The red elderberry, the medicinal properties and contraindications for which have long been known to folk medicine, is a branched shrub, usually not reaching a height of more than 3.5 m. The bark of the trunk and branches is covered with wrinkles and grooves, has a brown color, but on young shoots it becomes purple shade. The leaves are pinnate, have 5-7 pointed serrated leaflets oblong in shape.

Flowers are collected in inflorescences in the form of a standing panicle. The calyx of each flower has 5 teeth, the petals of the corolla are soldered. When they first open, they have a greenish tint, later becoming yellowish-white. The bush begins to bloom around the end of April, and in July, brushes of bright red berries appear on it, which have an unpleasant sugary taste. Fruit type - drupe. Inside each berry there are 3-4 seeds. Birds, eating them in large quantities, contribute to the active dispersal of culture over long distances.

Red elderberry is a shrub that has a high growth rate, growing almost a meter per season. Due to their propensity for abundant branching, the red elderberry is often used as a hedge. Fruiting begins at 3-4 years of age.

Chemical composition

To understand whether this elderberry is edible or not, you need to study its chemical composition. All parts of the plant are medicinal, but their composition varies slightly. For example, flowers contain the following substances:

In the bark of the tree, in addition to these elements, there are also phytosterol, ceryl alcohol, and also quite a large number of pectin substances. And the fruits also contain sambunigrin, because of which they are toxic to humans. There are also fatty oils, ascorbic acid, amino acids in berries.

In ancient times, the juice of red elderberries was used as a dye. The spongy tissue inside the branches is now used as an insulating layer in various precision instruments.

Procurement of raw materials

Red elderberry, like black elderberry, must be properly harvested. The collection of each part of the plant is carried out at a strictly defined optimal time. The bark for medicinal purposes is cut only from young trees. It is best to harvest in the spring, when sap flow begins.

Flowers are harvested at the moment when they are fully opened.. Berries are cut only when ripe, as unripe fruits are extremely toxic.

Raw materials are dried in a shady and well-ventilated place, protected from moisture and direct sunlight. After drying, the stalks are separated from the berries, the flowers are crushed and sieved. The bark is cut and ground in a coffee grinder. Store in a tightly closed glass container at an air humidity of not more than 65% and a temperature of +5 to +25 degrees Celsius out of the reach of children. The leaves are harvested during flowering, the roots are also used for medicinal purposes.

Use in traditional medicine

Red elderberry, the beneficial properties of which are used in medicine for the treatment of various diseases, serves as the basis for the preparation of many medicines. traditional healers use the plant as follows:

From fresh fruits of red elderberry, excellent jams and preserves are prepared, and juice is also squeezed out. To prepare healthy juice, the berries are scalded, rubbed through a sieve, and the resulting juice with pulp is brought to a boil with the addition of sugar or honey to taste. But you need to use it in a strict dosage of not more than 50 g per day. The juice of the fruits of this plant helps to restore metabolism, has an immunomodulatory and tonic effect.

Elderberry jam helps people with pronounced weather sensitivity to endure weather changes and geomagnetic storms.

Contraindications for use

Despite the long list of useful medicinal properties, it must be remembered that the red elderberry is still a poisonous plant, therefore it has a number of contraindications. . Medicines based on this plant are forbidden to be taken by people of the following categories:

• children under 14;
• pregnant and breastfeeding women;
• people with chronic gastrointestinal diseases or diabetes.

To prevent acute hydrocyanic acid poisoning, it is necessary to adhere to the strictly described dosage, and also not to eat fresh unripe fruits, leaves and stems.

Dried berries and leaves are devoid of toxic substances, however, like any other folk remedy, they require caution in use - it is necessary to use medicines based on elderberry carefully, carefully monitoring the body's reaction and well-being. A decoction of the roots has a high concentration of active ingredients, therefore it is used mainly externally.

Medicines can be used only if the technology of preparation and harvesting of plant materials is observed.

Side effects and overdose

Infusions and decoctions of red elderberries are moderately toxic. If the recommended dosages are exceeded, drugs based on this plant can cause nausea and vomiting. Hydrocyanic acid, contained in the fruits and bark of the shrub, provokes oxygen starvation at the cellular level and can cause cardiac arrest, so elderberry-based preparations must be used with caution.

The first signs of hypoxia of the tissues of the body are manifested in the form of shortness of breath and an increase in the rhythm of breathing. Against this background, blood pressure may increase, and the pulse, on the contrary, slow down. If nothing is done, then death is possible.

Excessive intoxication can be caused by unripe berries. This can provoke a strong decrease in body temperature, loose stools, vomiting, as well as a general deterioration in health. Oxygen starvation in brain cells can result in irreversible processes of death of nerve cells and other pathological changes. As a result, irreparable damage will be done to the body.

In connection with all the contraindications and side effects, a completely logical question arises: is it advisable to use such a dangerous plant to treat yourself and your family, or is it still better to entrust your health to officially recognized medical preparations? In any case, the use of various folk remedies remains on your conscience.

Elderberry in the economy and cosmetology

There are also safe ways to use this culture. On the farm, elderberry leaves and branches are used to repel rodents - they do not like its smell and they try to avoid both the places where this plant is decomposed and the houses near which it is planted.

The tree is actively used in landscape design as an ornamental plant, and as a soil-strengthening plant - its roots prevent possible landslides.

In cosmetology, this culture is highly valued because of its healing properties. Thanks to the plant, the skin of the face and neck acquires a healthy tone, silky texture and gets rid of the annoying manifestations of the aging process - small and large mimic wrinkles, as well as small scars and enlarged pores.

To restore sensitive skin, the following folk cosmetology recipe is used:

• 6-7 dried whole inflorescences;
• 200 ml of boiling water.

The ingredients are mixed and infused for 15-20 minutes, after which they are filtered through a sieve. Infusion wipe the skin twice a day - in the morning and before bedtime. The procedure is repeated for two weeks, preparing a fresh remedy every day.

The whitening effect of the fruit is also known. A tonic is prepared from them, which is used to lighten freckled skin. For this, 3 tbsp. l. fresh berries pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, insist a little, and then boil for 10 minutes. After cooling, filter and wipe problem areas.

Ripe berries can be used to thoroughly clean the skin of the hands after working in the garden - just rub them in the palms. Due to the content of acids, elderberry is able to clean any dirt up to the resin. coniferous trees. In addition, it softens the skin well and prevents flaking and drying.

More than forty are known in nature various kinds elderberries. In our area, only red and black elderberries are found in the wild. Both varieties are actively used both in traditional medicine and in landscape gardening. However, when using medicines from red elderberry, one should not forget about its toxicity, and also warn children that its red berries should not be eaten.

Observing elementary safety rules, you can safely decorate your site with a hedge from this beautiful fast-growing shrub, which will delight you most of the year with lush greenery, beautiful panicles of yellowish loose inflorescences, and by the end of summer with dense clusters of bright red berries.

Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa).

Other names: elderberry racemose, common elderberry, Kalinka.

Description. Deciduous branchy shrub of the Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) up to 4 m high. It has a superficial root system. The bark of old branches is grayish-brown, with longitudinal wrinkles. The branches have a soft, spongy, brownish core. Young shoots are shiny, brown, possibly with a purple or violet hue, rounded or slightly ribbed, with large slit-like and small lenticels. Kidneys on small legs; leafy - oblong-ovate, flower - spherical.
The leaves are opposite, unpaired pinnate, glabrous or slightly hairy, with 3-7 leaflets oblong-ovate or elliptical, 5-8 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. Leaflets are long pointed at the apex, wedge-shaped or rounded at the base, serrate along the edge. Leaf petiole 5-11 cm long, with 2 glands at the base of the lower pair. The upper part of the leaf plate is green; the lower one is bluish. The leaves have an unpleasant odor.
The flowers are bisexual, regular, yellowish-white, fragrant, collected in dense ovoid or conical inflorescences directed upwards. Blooms in May - June. Fruit ripening in August - September. The fruit is a spherical, shiny, juicy, bright red drupe, usually with three trihedral-ovoid light yellow seeds with a finely wrinkled surface.
Homeland red elder - Western Europe. Elder racemosa in the wild is found in the Carpathians, the Upper Dniester, Siberia, and the Far East. It grows in forests and among shrubs. It is bred as an ornamental plant. Elderberry red propagated by cuttings, layering, seeds.

Collection and preparation of raw materials. For medicinal purposes, flowers, bark, roots, fruits of red elderberry, sometimes leaves are used. Flowers are harvested during their full blooming (before shedding corollas), for this, the inflorescences are cut with scissors or a knife. Then they are dried in the shade in the open air or in a room with normal ventilation, spread out in a thin layer on paper or cloth. After drying, the flowers are threshed.
The leaves are also harvested during the flowering period. Dry them like flowers.
The bark is harvested in April, during the period of sap flow; roots - in late autumn or in early spring; berries - after their full ripening.
For harvesting the bark, branches of the third and second years of life are used. Annular transverse cuts are made on the branch with a knife at a distance of about 2.5 cm. Then they are connected with one longitudinal cut and the bark is removed. Dry the bark in a dry ventilated area.
plant composition insufficiently studied. Flowers contain flavone glycoside rutin, glucose, fructose, tannins, traces essential oil, organic acids, vitamins. The leaves and unripe fruits contain the poisonous glycoside sambunigrin.

Medicinal properties, application, treatment.
Red elderberry preparations have diaphoretic, laxative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties. The diaphoretic properties of this plant are used for colds, flu, sore throats.
To do this, take a warm water infusion or alcohol tincture of red elderberry flowers. Infusion and tincture are also taken for respiratory diseases, headaches, arthritis, rheumatism; tincture of flowers - also with pathological menopause.
A decoction of flowers is used externally - in the form of rinses in the treatment of sore throats, inflammation of the throat and oral cavity. An infusion of fresh fruits of elderberry is used as an emetic and laxative.
A decoction of the bark and a decoction of the roots have diuretic and diaphoretic properties, and the latter also has a laxative effect.
In folk medicine, flowers and fresh fruits of elderberry are used to treat tumors, cancer, osteochondrosis, deforming arthrosis, and heel spurs.

Dosage forms and doses.
Infusion of red elderberry flowers. 1 teaspoon of dried crushed flowers is poured into 1 cup of boiling water, insisted for 15 minutes, filtered. Taken warm, half a glass 2 r. per day 30 minutes before meals or between meals. Drink slowly, in small sips. The infusion is used as a diaphoretic for colds, flu, tonsillitis, as well as for respiratory diseases, headaches, arthritis, rheumatism.

Tincture of red elder flowers on vodka. The flowers are placed in glassware, poured with vodka in a ratio of 1:5, closed with a lid, insisted for 15 days in a dark, cool place, filtered. Take 25-30 drops 3 r. per day with the same indications as the water infusion, as well as with pathological menopause.

A decoction of red elderberry flowers for external use. 1 tablespoon of dried flowers in a glass of water, after boiling, boil over low heat for 5 minutes, remove from heat, filter after 10 minutes. Used as a rinse.

Tincture of red elderberries for arthrosis. A glass jar is filled 3/4 of the volume with fresh berries, filled to the top with vodka, closed with a lid, insisted in a dark place for 5-6 weeks. Tincture lubricates problem areas, 2-3 r. a day, making a light rubbing. Apply with osteochondrosis, deforming arthrosis, "heel spur".
The treatment can be long and the improvement process can start after a few months. To enhance the therapeutic effect, it is advisable to take an aqueous infusion or tincture of flowers inside 2 times a day. Inside, the drugs are taken in courses - 3 weeks of admission, then a 3-week break, etc.

With pancreatic cancer. 1 tablespoon of dried red elderberry flowers is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for 1 hour, filtered. Take in the intervals between meals for a third of a glass of 3 r. per day with tincture of black poplar or birch buds (15 drops of tincture per dose). One month they take an infusion with tincture, then a break for 1 month, etc.