Question: My daughter is 7 and is already developing breasts. Her doctor says it could be a liver issue. We used elderberries a lot to prevent colds. Does that affect breast development?
The Elder flowers are usually given in Flower-water form. Medicinally, the flower-water is added to salves and lotions and has an anti-inflamatory effect. It's astringent properties make it good for clearing acne, relieving sunburn, etc. When the flower-water is used as an internal tea, it causes a mild laxative effect and increase perspiration. The energetic nature of the Elder Flower Water doesn't not effect the liver or the Liver channel.
The Elder berries are often made into a syrup, similar to what you may find at the health food store. Chemically, the berries contain Viburnic Acid which is the same as Valeric acid. This acid is found in many flowering plants, such as Valerian. It is considered to be the "active" priciple of
the plant. The berries have a diuretic, demuclent, and laxitive properties. When taken as a syrup or tea, it produces sweating, expectoration of
phlegm, and dialates the bronchial passages--all of which help the body heal from colds, flu, and asthma type conditions.
The only part of the plant that is noted to have any sort of contraindications is the bark, leaves, and stems. In some of the sources I reviewed in this study, the leaves and stems are considered poison. and should not be used in children. This is due to the "cyanide" type constiuents, or active principles of those parts. The Bark is a very strong purgative and should not be taken while pregnant. The bark has very bitter properties and taste.
According to the Eastern view, Bitterness is the flavor/energy of a detoxifier. That is why the bark, leaves, and stems were used to detoxify and purify the system (according to the British Pharmecopia). Because of these properties, the Elder bark does enter the Liver Channel and Liver system. If taken over a period of time, or consistantly using it long term, the energetic properties of the bark can injure the Liver system. This could result in a Liver Imbalance, such that hormone levels are effected.
Now this is use of the Elder Bark (stems and leaves). The berries and flowers are safe and do not enter the Liver channel/system. The source in which you are using of the Elder extract, may contain traces of bark, leaves, and stems--depending on the quality and care of the harvester/manufacture.
There are other factors - dietary, environmental, and emotional that play into "premature" development. So it may not just be her hormones. If you suspect the hormones are out of wack, then I'd suggest consult a DOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine) in your area. The Eastern medical system has much more of an understanding of these types of imbalances than any western system (because they don't just look at the
"hormones" involved, but they view the whole body as an energetic system that responds to energetic stimuli (food, emotions, environment, stress), and they would know the right combination of lifestyle changes and herbs to help balance those energies and promote health.
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