HELDERBERRY     Sambucus canadensis

Description  |  Edible Use   |  Medicinal Use

Specific Tribal Use  |  Use by Wildlife  |  Historical References to Native Use

The flowers are the mildest part of the plant and prepared as a tea, are used to break dry fevers and stimulate perspiration, aid headache, indigestion, twitching eyes, dropsy, rheumatism, appendix inflammation, bladder or kidney infections, colds, influenza, consumption (bleeding in lungs), and is helpful to newborn babies.  Used as a wash, the flowers or leaves are good for wounds, sprains, and bruises, as well as for sores on domestic animals. The leaves, which are stronger, have a slightly laxative property. Applied externally, leaves, flowers, bark and twigs are excellent as a poultice, mixed equally with chamomile, for soreness, inflammations, joint stiffness, and to reduce the swelling of bee stings. The flowers and berries, employed as a diuretic, can aid arthritis and rheumatism. Steeped in water, the flowers are used externally to aid in complexion beauty, tone and soften the skin, and lighten freckles or spots.  For women who have frequent hot flashes or night sweats, 25 to 50 drops of fresh elder blossom tincture several times a day should bring rapid results.  

A tea made from the inner bark and root bark is diuretic, emetic and a strong laxative.  A tea made from the root bark is used to promote labor in childbirth and in treating headaches, kidney problems and mucous congestion.  The inner bark is also applied as a poultice to cuts, sore or swollen limbs, in order to relieve pain and swelling.