Sambucus nigra

• TeaFlowerInternalTraditional use

  Traditional diaphoretic flower tea for feverish colds — perspiration-promoting use recognised by EMA as traditional use.

  Preparation & dosage

  DIAPHORETIC TEA: 1.5–3 g dried elder flowers in 150 ml boiling water, covered, steep 5–10 min, strain. 2–3× daily as HOT as tolerable — most effective in the evening; wrap up warm afterwards. Supports perspiration during feverish colds (rhinitis, flu). Max 1 week per EMA monograph (traditional use, revision 2018). Seek medical attention for fever above 39 °C, dyspnoea, purulent sputum, or symptoms lasting more than 7 days.

  Dry amount

  1.5–3 g

  Doses per day

  3×

  Max duration

  1 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per EMA, only from 12 years. Insufficient safety data for children under 12.

  Sources: [1] [2] [3]

• TeaFlowerInternalCommission E

  Elder flower cold tea for catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract and bronchitis — Kommission E positive monograph (1992): diaphoretic and mucous membrane soothing.

  Preparation & dosage

  COLD TEA (Kommission E): 3–5 g elder flowers in 250 ml hot water, covered, steep 10 min, strain. Daily dose 10–15 g. 2–3 hot cups daily for early colds, catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract, and bronchitis. Often blended with linden flowers or thyme. Max 1 week.

  Dry amount

  3–5 g

  Doses per day

  3×

  Max duration

  1 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Per Kommission E and EMA from 12 years. Under 12: consult doctor.

  Sources: [1] [2] [3]

• GargleFlowerExternalTraditional use

  Elder flower gargle for sore throat and hoarseness — mildly anti-inflammatory and mucous membrane soothing.

  Preparation & dosage

  GARGLE: 2–3 g dried elder flowers in 150–200 ml boiling water, covered, steep 10 min, strain, cool to hand-warm (~40 °C). Gargle thoroughly 30–60 seconds 2–3× daily (do not swallow) for sore throat, hoarseness, and oral mucous membrane inflammation. Folk use also as a wash for conjunctivitis (compresses, 1–2× daily).

  Dry amount

  2–3 g

  Doses per day

  3×

  Max duration

  1 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — From 12 years. Young children cannot gargle safely.

  Sources: [1] [3]

• TinctureFlowerInternalTraditional use

  Elder flower tincture as a convenient alternative to the sweating tea for colds — diaphoretic, established in folk medicine.

  Preparation & dosage

  ELDER FLOWER TINCTURE (DER 1:5 in 25 % ethanol): 2–4 ml (~40–80 drops) 3× daily diluted in a glass of warm water or herbal tea. Folk alternative to the tea when preparation is inconvenient; similarly diaphoretic. Note ethanol content — avoid in children, pregnancy, alcohol or liver disease. Consult doctor if symptoms persist beyond 7 days.

  Liquid amount

  2–4 ml

  Doses per day

  3×

  Max duration

  1 weeks

  ⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Due to ethanol content adults only. Children and adolescents under 18: prefer the tea preparation.

  Sources: [3] [4] [6]

• SpiceFruitInternalFolk medicine

  Elderberry syrup from thoroughly cooked ripe berries — traditional household remedy for colds and immune support. Raw berries toxic.

  Preparation & dosage

  ELDERBERRY SYRUP: Use only fully ripe, deep black berries (September–October, NEVER raw). Simmer 500 g de-stemmed, washed berries in 250 ml water 15–20 minutes (destroys sambunigrin), press through sieve. Boil juice with 300–400 g sugar and optional spices (cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel), bottle in sterile jars. 1–2 tbsp daily neat or diluted in hot water. Folk use: supportive in colds, immune support, hoarseness. Raw berries are TOXIC — thorough cooking mandatory!

  Sources: [6] [7] [8]

• TeaFruitInternalFolk medicine

  Elderberry decoction as a simple folk remedy for colds — anthocyanins and flavonoids retained; sambunigrin inactivated by boiling.

  Preparation & dosage

  BERRY DECOCTION: 5–10 g dried elderberries in 300 ml cold water, bring to boil and simmer 15–20 minutes (decoction mandatory — boiling inactivates sambunigrin), strain. 1–2 cups daily, sweeten with honey if desired. Folk use in colds, sore throat, winter immune support. Anthocyanins are largely retained during cooking.

  Dry amount

  5–10 g

  Doses per day

  2×

  Max duration

  2 weeks

  Sources: [3] [6] [7]

• BathFlowerExternalFolk medicine

  Elder flower bath and steam inhalation for cold symptoms and skin care — relaxing and mildly diaphoretic.

  Preparation & dosage

  ELDER FLOWER BATH: 50–100 g dried elder flowers in 2 litres boiling water, steep 15 min, strain, add to full bath (37–38 °C, not hotter). Soak 15–20 min. Folk use for colds (steam bath for face also possible: bowl with hot infusion, towel over head), dry skin, joint complaints. For steam inhalation: 2–3 tbsp flowers in 1 L hot water, inhale 5–10 min.

  Dry amount

  50–100 g

  Doses per day

  1×

  Max duration

  2 weeks

  Sources: [4] [5] [6]

• SpiceFlowerInternalFolk medicine

  Elder flowers in the kitchen — cordial, syrup, fritters and vinegar; Central European classic. Flowers contain NO sambunigrin and can be used fresh or dried.

  Preparation & dosage

  KITCHEN (elder flowers): Fresh flower umbels (May–June) for elderflower cordial/syrup: cold-infuse umbels with lemon slices and sugar 24 hours, strain (no boiling needed — flowers contain no sambunigrin). For 'Hollerküchle' (Holunder fritters): dip whole fresh umbel in batter, deep-fry. Elder flower vinegar: steep fresh flowers in apple vinegar 2 weeks. Cordial is a classic summer drink in Central European cuisine. Dried flowers as flavouring in desserts, panna cotta, lemonade.

  Sources: [6] [7]

TOXICITY ALERT — confusion risk and raw-consumption risk: Only FLOWERS (Sambuci flos) are the recognised medicinal drug. All other plant parts (leaves, bark, roots, unripe berries, seeds) contain the cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin, which releases hydrogen cyanide in the body — TOXIC; symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, in large quantities convulsions. Ripe black berries contain lower sambunigrin levels but MUST ALWAYS BE THOROUGHLY COOKED (simmer at least 15 min) — raw consumption of even ripe berries in quantity can cause poisoning. Do not confuse with dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus, poisonous!) — it has characteristically horizontal stems and strongly smelling foliage. Seek medical attention for fever above 39 °C, dyspnoea, purulent sputum, or symptoms lasting over 7 days. Consult doctor before taking elderberry products with autoimmune diseases or immunosuppressive therapy.

⏱ Max continuous use: 1 weeks