For most illnesses Our Dad gave us a cup of ellum blo’ tea (an infusion of dried elder flowers).
It tasted pretty awful and one mouthful was enough to make us determined to get better in the shortest possible time.
The above text is from:
“Scenes of Childhood :
A Forest of Dean Childhood Remembered”
by Bernard Kear
publisher: Thornhill Press, 1992
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Elder Flower Tea
Elder flower tea is used to “break” a fever by bringing on sweating. It is used especially for situations in which the feverish person feels chilled, and the tea is drunk as hot as possible.
A cooled infusion has traditionally been used as a gargle for sore throat. Elder flowers are believed to have mild diuretic action.
Probably the most common use of elderberry is to treat colds.
A tea is made by pouring 2/3 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons (3 g) of dried flowers and steeping for about five minutes before straining. As many as five cups a day might be consumed, particularly in the afternoon and evening. The tea is administered until recovery.
Elder flower preparations: 1.5 to 3 g fluid extract or 2.5 to 7.5 g tincture daily.
The above information has been extracted from the web site: Healing Herbs.
Boz's Gaff 