Two harvests, two medicines.
The flower comes in spring, the berry in autumn, and they do different work.
- Anthocyanins: the near-black berry is loaded with the deep-purple antioxidants that give it its colour.
- Vitamin C: cooked berries are a real source.
- Diaphoretic: elderflower tea makes you sweat, the old way of breaking a fever.
- Colds and flu: flowers and berries are the classic respiratory remedy. Some trials show shorter colds. The evidence is real but small and argued over.
- Respiratory tradition: coughs, congestion, sore throat, sinus.
The body use is real and old. The modern proof is thinner than the tradition.