Properties:

a) medicinal:

Internal use

Respiratory: It is very helpful against respiratory diseases. Flowers in infusion become a good sudorific, which contributes to heal this kind of processes.

Cold : Infusion for 10 minutes of 20 gr. of dry leaves a litter of water. Drink several little glasses all through the day.

Sore throat: Gargles with the infusion of 20 gr. of dry leaves in a litter of water.

Otitis: By introducing the steam produced by the decoction of a handful of dry leaves in our ear, we will feel a big relief.

Diuretic: ( The bark has got a very great diuretic value, therefore it should be used in these cases where it is very necessary to get rid of the excess of water of our body - hydropsy, rheumatism, etc.) Decoction of a some bark in a litter and a half of water till it is reduced to 1/3 . Drink it completely throughout the day.

Laxative and purgative: Against constipation

-Decoction of a spoonful of dry leaves per glass.Drink 3 little glasses a day, In extreme cases, increasing the dose, the same preparation, becomes purgative.

-Ripe fruits, raw or in marmalade. Fruits which are not very well ripe are toxic.!!!

Hepatic: To fight against liver diseases, drink a little glass without breakfast of the decoction for 15 minutes of some fresh leaves in 1/2 litter of water.

External use

Antiseptic and bactericide: The same decoction seen above can be used for buccal rinsing against pyorrhea .

Astringent: To treat hemorrhoids apply the lotion with the juice extracted squashing fresh leaves.

Bactericide and anti-inflammatory:

-To cure or disinfect injuries or burns , apply a cataplasm of fresh leaves on the affected area.

- To cure the eyes make an infusion of a little spoon of dry leaves . Rub the eyes with a gauze or cotton.

b) Culinary:

- Elder marmalade: Pick ripe fruits to make a marmalade, adding a fourth part more of fruit than sugar (750 gr. of sugar each kg. of fruit) It should be cooked on a low flame, stirring constantly.

c) Cosmetic:

-A flower infusion poured in the water of the bath makes it very refreshing , besides contributing to cure skin faults. - pimples, blisters, inflammations, etc.

- To eliminate face spots, apply on it the infusion of a handful of flowers in 1 and a half litters of water.

d) Other :

Elder wood is very hard . This is the reason why it has been considered very valuable for making farming tools or for cabinetwork.

Picking and storing: Spring and Autumn are the best season to pick the flowers. We should collect the leaves from the fresh shoots, also in spring. Bark in Autumn and fruits at the end of Summer or in Autumn.

Flowers must be dried in the shade and kept in a dry and dark place. Bark in the sun and must be put into a dry , airtight container. Fruits can be eaten raw or they can be dried in the sun and stored under the same conditions of the bark.