75-2 
The pith of the Elder has many offices to fill in the arts and manufactures; 
the berries make a really pleasant wine; and, among the poorer class of people 
(it must be more from necessity than choice), they are made into pies, like the 
huckleberry. 
In domestic medicine this plant forms almost a pharmacy in itself, and has 
been used substantially as follows: A decoction of the flowers and leaves, or an 
ointment containing them, was used as an application to large wounds to prevent 
deleterious consequences from flies; the leaf-buds proved themselves a violent 
and unsafe cathartic; the flowers, in a warm infusion are stimulant, excitant, and 
sudorific; in cold, diuretic, alterative, and laxative (Elderblow Tea); they were 
also employed, in ointment, as a discutient; the inner bark is a severe hydrogogue 
cathartic, emetic, deobstruent, and alterative, valuable in intestinal obstruction and 
anasarca; the berries proved aperient, diuretic, diaphoretic, and cathartic, valuable 
in rheumatic gout, scrofula, and syphilis—the juice making a cooling, laxative 
drink. 
In pharmacy the leaves have been used to impart a clear green tint to oils, 
etc. (Oleum Viride, Unguentum Sambuci foliorum), and the flowers for perfumes. 
Sambucus Canadensis (flores) are officinal in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic 
Materia Medica the preparations are: Agua Sambuci, Syrupus Sarsaparille Com- 
positus,* Unguentum Sambuct, and Vinum Sambuci.+ 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—Equal parts of the fresh flower-buds, 
flowers, young twigs, and leaves are taken, and treated as in the preceding drug 
(p. 74-3). The resulting tincture has a clear orange-brown color by transmitted 
light; it retains the sweetish odor and taste of the flowers; and has an acid 
reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Viburnic Acid. This body, identical with 
valerianic acid,t was proven to exist in the bark of this species by C. G. Traub 
who succeeded in obtaining its characteristic odor, and valerianate of zinc after the 
addition of the sulphate of that metal. 
Oil of Sambucus.—This volatile body, found in the flowers of S. migra, was 
proven by Traub to also exist in the bark of this species. It is described as a thin, 
light-yellow body, having the odor of the flowers, a bitter, burning, afterward cool- 
ing taste ; becoming of a butter-like consistence, and solidifying at 0° (32° F.) to: 
a crystalline mass. 
Tannin, sugar, fat, resin, and a coloring-matter were also determined. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Dr. Ubelacker’s experiments with from 20 0 
50 drops of the tincture gave the following symptoms of physical disturbance: 
Drawing in the head, with anxious dread; flushed and blotched face; dryness 
* See p. 92-2, foot-note to Syrupus Aralie Compositus, as the syrup is now called. 
+ This so-called Hydragogue Tincture contains Elder-bark, Parsley-root, and Sherry. 
} See p. 155-3. 
@ Am, Four, Phar., 1881, 392. 
Sas 
