Elderberry

Don’t let these small purplish-black berries fool you! Their size may be small, but their power in the respiratory system is enormous. Hot tea will move the embedded phlegm and help clear the respiratory passages. Moving the mucus helps reduce allergies that can cause hay fever and chest complaints. The elder has a long history of fighting colds, flu, and coughs. As a gargle, it’s good to soothe tonsils that are infected. In the 18th century, elder was used as a skin wash for those with freckles to lighten the skin. Elderberries are used for the respiratory, and Elder flowers are used to reduce fever.