- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Andes from Costa Rica to northwestern Argentina, at 2,800 to 3,900 metres
South America · Herb · № 884
Sambucus peruviana
Herb · South America
Peruvian elder
Sambucus peruviana
A tree with white flower umbels and dark berries, related to the European elder. Flowers and leaves are considered sweat-inducing and anti-inflammatory.
Safety notes
As with the European elder, raw berries, leaves and bark can cause nausea and vomiting: use the berries only cooked. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Eat the berries only cooked; raw leaves and berries can cause nausea.
- Kallawaya healing in Bolivia: Do not eat the berries or leaves raw.
Preparation
Flowers and leaves as a tea; berries cooked into jam or syrup.
Use in traditions
Sauco in Spanish. In northern Peru a remedy for fever, cough, colds and bronchitis, often with other herbs, and in a bath for fright (susto). The berries are made into jam and drinks, and the hard wood is used for tools and for the quena, an Andean flute.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
For fever, cough, colds and bronchitis; in a bath for fright.
Preparation and amount
Steep a small handful of flowers or leaves for 5 to 10 minutes.
Caution: Eat the berries only cooked; raw leaves and berries can cause nausea.
Kallawaya healing in Bolivia
Attributed effects
The flowers for asthma and other airway complaints and to sweat out a fever; the leaves with fat on bruises and as a foot bath for swollen feet.
Preparation and amount
Steep a teaspoon of flowers for 10 minutes.
Caution: Do not eat the berries or leaves raw.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Syrup, honey and oxymel