This beautiful flower has wonderful properties, many times we find them on our paths and we are unaware of their benefits.
In Mérida, Venezuela it is common to see it. The truth, I always found it beautiful (all white flowers are beautiful) but I did not know all its properties
Own source 2019
In my previous post on Natural Cosmetics ... alternative?
@kyleana/natural-cosmetics-alternative
I commented that I had started in this world through a course, we were asked to take a plant and take the elderberry because it is abundant and little known
When researching elderberry, its scientific name is Sambucus niga (Caprifoliaceas), (Chevalier, 1997) it is native to Europe. Its flower is white and its berries are dark purple-black
Its flowers have as chemical principles:
• Flavonoids
• Phenolic Acids
• Triterpenes
• Sterols
• Volatile oils
• Mucilago
• Tannins
Elderflower is generally used for coughs, colds, flu and allergies. Its leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides that in low concentrations are a powerful cough sedative and increase sweating, reducing fever (López, 2016)
Many books agree on the little that has been investigated of the elder/elderflower, formerly it was called the "nature's medicine cabinet"
If we review its active ingredients, its flowers have 4 components that coincide with Calendula, known for its benefits for the skin (Flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols and mucilage). Flavonoids are known for their extensive anti-inflammatory action. Similarly, it coincides in components with chamomile, another excellent plant for the skin.
Information that we can corroborate in the book Medicinal Plants approved in Colombia (Fonnegra, 2007) where it quotes:
"The fresh flowers or buds crushed and applied on the affected parts are used as resolutives and emollients, to relieve and heal burns"
They are also excellent for removing toxic waste from the skin, since it activates the sweat glands. (Fetzner, 2019)
Lately, more research has been done on the wonderful properties and its use with other plants.
During the course he makes a macerated oil of elderflower with French lavender
Own source 2019
And a soap with dry elderflower, I think it has been one of the best soaps that I have used, with all the skepticism that I had with artisan soaps, this one made a lot of foam and left the skin soft, eliminating dryness (stress)
Own source 2019
Then, my other test formulations are made with marinated elderflower oil and prepare an oily face cream, to relieve dryness, using beeswax, cocoa butter and coconut oil. Showing better long-term results than a commercial cream.
Plants provide many benefits that we do not know, if we allow ourselves to investigate and know the active ingredients, we can formulate excellent products. In this way I take advantage of my profession, for the optimal use of resources without generating environmental impact.
Tell me, would you like to know more about elderflower or some other plant?
Would you like to know more about natural products?
References
Chevalier, A. (1997). Enciclopedia de plantas medicinales. Madrid: Acento Editorial.
Fetzner, A. (2019). Plantas medicinales: Sanos gracias al poder de la naturaleza.
Fonnegra, R. (2007). Plantas medicinales aprobadas en Colombia. Antioquia: Editorial Universidad de Antioquia.
López, P. M. (2016). Manual Practico de fitoterapia. plantasmediciinales.net.