Summer has arrived and with it nature unfolds its full splendor and offers us plenty of its treasures. At the beginning there are the most varied flowers, followed later in the year by the fruits. One of the plants whose flowers can be used for a variety of treats is the elderberry bush.
Elder, elderberry, elderberry
Valued since ancient times as a remedy, with tasty flowers and fruits, the wood for children’s games and formerly as a tool – the elderberry shrub is so versatile. It is the subject of many stories that tell of its power to protect against lightning, as a measure of life and death and as a gateway to the Otherworld. It is therefore not surprising that we still encounter the elderberry bush everywhere today and that it has a lot to offer both as an enrichment to our diet and drinks and as a natural pharmacy. Lat. sambucus nigra , the black elder is the most widespread in our country. While the leaves and unripe fruits are slightly poisonous, the flowers and ripe berries can be used in a variety of ways.
In early summer, it is the large white flower umbels that are the first to enrich our food and drink. Not only do they have a convincing aroma and taste, they also contain flavonoids, essential oils and tannins, ingredients that are effective against many ailments. The healing effect unfolds very well in a freshly brewed elderberry tea.
Elderflower tea in summer
Although tea will not be the first thing you think of when you think of elderflower in summer temperatures, it can have a particularly refreshing and cooling effect.
When the temperature rises, it’s time to drink, drink, drink. A balanced water balance is a prerequisite for the functioning of the human organism, as water is the main component of all cells and body fluids. It serves as a solvent, transport and cooling agent. It is a reaction partner in chemical reactions in the body, is a prerequisite for the metabolization processes that take place in the body and allows our excretory organs to function optimally.
Sufficient drinking in summer
A lack of fluids can lead to serious health problems after just a few days. The blood thickens, we feel weak, we are overcome by dizziness and even unconsciousness. With a persistent lack of water, our body is no longer able to excrete urinary substances sufficiently. Kidney and circulatory failure can be the result. Stress, a decreasing feeling of thirst with age and poor drinking habits are often the reason why our bodies lack fluids. If we feel thirsty, this already indicates a lack of fluids. An increased protein intake, sweating, fever, physical activity, dry air and high outside temperatures are factors that lead to an increased fluid requirement.
To prevent dehydration med.: Volumenmangel der extrazellulären Flüssigkeit, u.a. des Blutplasmas – dem Körper wird weniger Flüssigkeit zugef..., this must be covered by drinking enough. Dry mouth, rising body temperature, headaches or sagging skin as well as a loss of concentration and sluggish digestion are signs of a lack of fluids. A daily fluid intake of approx. 2.7 liters protects against this. The largest part, approx. 1.5 to 2 liters, should be taken in through drinks and the remaining amount through food. This amount can increase rapidly in summer. Ideally, the amount of liquid should be taken in small portions throughout the day.
Warm temperatures – warm drinks?
If we instinctively reach for an ice-cold drink at high temperatures, a warm drink can be the right choice. The first sip in the morning can be a glass of water before breakfast – often medication is taken with this, and tap water is the ideal solvent here because no interactions are to be expected.
If you cover your fluid requirements with mineral water for the rest of the day, elderflower tea is a welcome change. Not only does the tea taste good, it also has a slightly diaphoretic effect – especially when enjoyed warm – and thus supports the cooling effect of increased sweating that warm drinks have in summer anyway. It is then necessary to ensure that the increased amount of fluid lost through sweating is replenished. This is particularly important as elderflowers have a moderate diuretic effect and stimulate the formation of mucus in the bronchial tubes, an aspect that makes elderflower tea the ideal cold tea for summer flu. If mineral water is too bland for you, try elderflower syrup.
Elderflower syrup for beverage refinement
The elderberry flowers can be harvested from the end of May to June. The inflorescences are cut off completely and hung up to dry in a shady place. When harvesting, beware of flying nectar collectors. Elderberries were not only planted near houses to ward off lightning and ghosts, they were also a wonderful distraction for bees and the like. After drying, the stems are cut off and the flowers are stored in dark glass jars. If you don’t want to collect them yourself, you can also buy dried elderflowers in any pharmacy or health food store.
You need to make a delicious elderflower syrup:
- 30 large elderflower umbels
- 2 liters of water
- 3 kg white sugar
- 100 g citric acid (available from the pharmacy)
- 3 organic lemons, cut into slices
First boil the water and dissolve the sugar in the still-warm water. The citric acid is then added. Cut the stems of the elderflower umbels very briefly, then add the flowers to the sugar water and stir them into the sugar water together with the lemons.
Leave the brew to stand in a dark, cool place for at least 2 days and stir twice a day. To bottle the finished syrup, wash the glass bottles provided with screw caps or swing tops very hot. Then pour the elderflower syrup through a very fine sieve or a kitchen towel and pour it into the bottles. The elderflower syrup will keep for several weeks if stored in a cool, dark place.
Elderflower syrup can now be added to your daily mineral water ration to create a wonderfully summery-tasting drink with an effect that makes every glass you drink a pleasure.
Elderflowers do wonders
The high vitamin C content explains the immune-boosting effect of elderberry. But elderflower syrup is not only a real power drink here. Recently, the N-phenylpropanoyl-lamino acid amides contained in elderberry have been discovered to prevent the Helicobacter pylori bacterium from attaching to the stomach lining and thus have a preventive effect on the development of stomach ulcers. Furthermore, elderberry leads to an increase in bronchial secretion, which relieves dry coughs. There is also evidence that the active ingredients have a diuretic, laxative, antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory effect.
But elderflower does not only work wonders when used internally. An elderflower footbath is wonderful for relieving heavy and swollen legs. To do this, bring six large elderflower cones to the boil briefly in one liter of water and then pour this through a sieve. Together with two to three liters of cold water, pour the elderberry broth into a suitable larger container and take a soothing foot bath in the lukewarm elderberry water for about 15 minutes to reduce swelling in your legs.
Elderflower variety
Applied externally, elderflowers help to combat tired legs. If you drink them hot or cold, they not only help you to tackle the increased daily fluid requirement in summer with delicious drinks, but also have a positive effect on your health and well-being. This turns every elderberry drink into a tasty miracle drink and brightens up our summer.
