Synonym – Sambucus Nigra. Natural order – Caprifoliaceae. Common names – Black Elder. European Elder. Habitat – An indigenous shrub, common in thickets and waste grounds. Preparation – Tincture from the fresh leaves and flowers.
GENERAL ANALYSIS
Affects especially the mucous membranes and the respiratory organs and the skin, causing in the former obstructive catarrh, and in the latter profuse debilitating perspiration.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS
Mind. Constant fretfulness; very easily startled; trembling, anxiety and restlessness (Aconite).
Face Bloated or dark-blue.
Abdomen. Griping colic, as after taking cold, with emission of flatus.
Urinary Organs Frequent desire to urinate, with copious discharge. Deposits a heavy sediment.
Respiratory Organs. Hoarseness, with much tenacious, glutinous mucus in the larynx (Kali bichromicum, Rumex). Oppression of the chest with pressure in the stomach, nausea and weakness. Oppression and stitches in left side of chest, below the nipple (Kali carb.). Suffocative attacks after midnight (Aconite, Ant. tart., Arsenicum,Cinchona); wakens suddenly, sits up in bed, turns blue, gasps for breath (Ipecac.). Quick, wheezing respiration, suffocative cough, with crying in children.
Generalities. Hands and feet bloated and blue. Dropsical swelling of the body.
Sleep. Sleepiness, without sleep (Belladonna, Chamomilla, Lachesis)
Fever. During heat, dread of uncovering (reverse, Ledum). Sensation of burning heat in the face, with moderate warmth of body, and icy- coldness of feet, without thirst. Very profuse, debilitating perspiration, while awake without thirst; skin dry and burning, without sweat during sleep. Profuse night sweats (Cinchona, Phosphorus, PHos. ac., Sulphur).
Aggravation While at rest.
Amelioration From motion; on sitting up in bed.
Compare Aconite, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Cinchona, Ipecac., Rhus tox., Sepia, Sulphur Sambucus follows well after Opium.
Antidote. Arsenicum, Camph.
Sambucus Antidote. Abuse of Arsenic.
THERAPEUTICS.
Sambucus is of use chiefly in respiratory affections characterized by suffocative attacks as above described. Laryngismus stridulus; acute laryngitis; suffocative catarrh; croup; whooping cough; asthma of Millar. Cough, etc., always worse after midnight and lying with the head low. Useful in dropsy, especially from acute nephritis, with characteristic urine and sweat.