Wanderlust Cold Relief +

Sambucus nigra

Native to most of Europe and North America, this small, fast growth deciduous tree is now grown throughout the world. Elderflower also referred to as Elder and Black Elder is one of the commonly used herbs in Western Herbal Medicine, traditionally used for immune health, as well as having a long tradition of culinary use including in cordial, wine and jam.

Its fragrant, white flowers are large and bloom in small clusters, which are then followed by the berry like fruits. Its botanical name is derived from the Latin word nigra, meaning “black”, and refers to the deep dark colour of the berries.

Traditionally used in Western Herbal Medicine to:

• Reduce symptoms of common cold
• Clear respiratory tract mucous
• Relieve symptoms of sore throat

The traditional uses of elderflower plants involved the whole plant, with teas and tinctures made from the bark and fruit. Native Americans also used the branches of Elderberry to make flutes, so it is sometimes called “the tree of music.”

Echinacea purpurea

Native to North America it is now widely grown across the world. Echinacea is a member of the Asteraceae family which includes daisies as well as edible herbs like Dandelion and Arnica. It does not hold many common English names, but one of the few is the Purple Coneflower, named because of the attractive flower head with purple, pink petals and cone-shaped centre.

Echinacea is derived from the Greek word echinos, meaning ‘hedgehog’, which refers to the cone-shaped, prickly centre which is said to resemble the spines of a hedgehog.

Traditionally used in Western Herbal Medicine to:

• Maintain healthy immune system function

Echinacea was one of the most widely used medicinal plants of the Great Plains Native Americans used to treat a variety of ailments including colds and infections.