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| confirm that higher doses are most effective for upper-respiratory tract infections with a minimum dose of 2 teaspoons of tincture a day needed for significant improvements in upper-respiratory tract problems (Melchart et al. 1994). The herb is also helpful for general immune deficiency where there are recurrent infections. |
| Echinacea creams can be helpful for skin infections, cuts, and scrapes. In severe cases it is best to support the external remedy with additional echinacea taken internally. Although most herbalists suggest that echinacea is best taken in short sharp bursts of up to four weeks, others regard it as a prophylactic and will happily recommend low dosages to school-age children on a long-term basis to successfully prevent the usual round of childhood ills (one 200-mg capsule daily). |
| Elder (Sambucus Nigra) |
| In the Middle Ages, many people believed that the elder tree was inhabited by a spirit known as the "elder mother" whose permission was needed if ever the tree was to be pruned; thus felling elders was considered a guarantee of bad luck, although branches from the tree placed over doors and windows were believed to keep witches away and ward off the evil eye. Such respect was understandable since the elder is almost a complete medicine chest. The leaves are the basis of a green ointment for sprains and strains, the inner bark is a strong purgative, the berries (a good source of vitamin C) act as a prophylactic against colds and infections, while the flowers are strongly anticatarrhal. |
| Description: A large shrubby tree with pinnate leaves and tiny, scented cream flowers borne in flat bunches in early summer. The dark purple berries ripen in late autumn. |
| Parts used: Flowers collected in spring and berries in autumn; the bark, leaves, and root have all been used in the past. Collect the leaves in summer after flowering. |
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