Sambucus. Elder Flower. The recent flower of Sambucus niger, [Sambucus canadensis. IT. S.] Lin. Syst., Petandria trigynia; indigenous.

Description. The flowers are small, white, having a peculiar odour, in five-parted cymes.

Prop. & Comp. They yield on distillation a volatile oil, to the presence of Which they owe their odour. Their active ingredients are soluble in water; no peculiar crystallizable principle has been obtained from them; they contain ingredients common to most flowers.

Of. Prep. Aqua Sambuci. Elder-Flower Water. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Elder flowers, ten pounds; water, two gallons. Let a gallon distil.)

Therapeutics. The flowers are gently stimulant in their action, and are used as a topical application, in the form of ointment, made by heating the flowers in hot lard; the water is employed as a pleasant vehicle for the exhibition of medicines or for lotions. The inner bark of the elder tree possesses hydragogue and cathartic powers, and has been used with success to remove the fluid in dropsies. It may be given in the form of decoction, the strength being about four ounces to the pint; of this, two to four ounces may be given as a dose.

Dose. Of aqua sambuci, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz.

[The properties of the Sambucus canadensis appear to be identical with those of Sambucus niger.]