Incredible Health Benefits of Elderberry

January 18th, 2018 by Loretta Lanphier, NP, BCTN, CN, CH, HHP

Incredible Health Benefits of Elderberry

Packed with beneficial nutrients, the elderberry has been used for its medicinal and health benefits for thousands of years. During The Middle Ages, the elder was considered a Holy Tree due to its capability to enhance health and longevity. While the health benefits of elderberry are many, one of its shining stars is the impressive nutrition it provides.

Elderberry’s oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) score is over two times as much as blueberry and cranberry. Elderberry is also comprised of trace minerals and provides more vitamin C than oranges. Research shows that the health benefits of elderberry include: supporting brain health, improving immune system health, safeguarding blood vessels and decreasing the growth patterns of cancer cells in the body.

Elderberries and Your Skin

Because the bioflavonoids in elderberries can boost skin health, elderberry is becoming more and more popular in skin care products. The antioxidant activity in elderberries, along with its impressive levels of vitamin A, make elderberries a good solution for smoothing the appearance of wrinkles, fading age spots, and generally improving the glow and tone of your skin – your body’s largest and most visible organ.

Elderberries and Weight Loss

Containing a high level of dietary fiber, combined with the metabolism-speeding effects of a solid vitamin and mineral injection, another of the many health benefits of elderberry is its ability to support weight loss. The fiber helps to keep you feeling full, the low-calorie count doesn’t promote weight gain, and an added plus is that your body will get dozens of other health benefits as well!

Word of Caution: Considering that so few species of elderberry are edible, it is always wise to find elderberries in a reputable store or from reputable farms and farmer’s markets. Don’t pick wild elderberries and always cook elderberries before eating, as they may contain dangerous traces of cyanide.

If you are allergic to plants in the honeysuckle family, be careful about adding elderberries to your diet. Elderberries are also known to act as diuretics for some people, so if you are already fighting kidney issues, elderberries may exacerbate them.

Floratrex Probiotic and Prebiotic

Elderberries and Flu

A proven, natural way to protect yourself from the flu is with regular doses of elderberry. Studies now confirm that flu and cold health benefits of elderberry include its ability to boost immunity, offset flu symptoms, and calm those pesky respiratory infections. While synthetic flu drugs concentrate on dealing with infections after they have developed — and may provide you with negative side effects as well — elderberry has natural stopping ability.

Anthocyanins, found in the pigments that give elderberry its dark pigments, have been found to be capable of preventing viruses from reproducing and infecting new cells. They also have the ability to kill many of the bacteria that cause chest and respiratory infections.

The results of a two-year study conducted in Australia found that European elder (Sambucus nigra L.) extra curtailed the extent of cold and flu symptoms. A group of long-distance air travelers were divided into two groups, with one (154 people) taking a placebo and the other (158 people) taking a propriety elderberry extract. The results showed that the group given elderberry showed far better results. The group taking the elderberry extract (daily doses of 600 to 900 milligrams of elderberry extract for 15 days), showed half the rate of respiratory infection, reported being sick for only half as long, and developed symptoms that were half as severe as those who took the placebo. Additionally, they also reported better health overall.

Researchers also have found that people who have taken elderberries have higher levels of antibodies against the influenza virus, showing that not only may the berry be able to treat flu symptoms, it may also be able to prevent influenza infection.

Taking elderberry syrup during the active stage of flu and colds, to lessen distress, appears to support immune function and offers a natural, safe and helpful option. Using elderberry as part of a daily wellness plan during cold and flu season for immune support, inhibition of oxidative stress, and as an antiviral makes sense for the support of a healthy immune system.

Elderberry relieves cold and flu

Incredible Health Benefits of Elderberry

  • anti-inflammatory properties
  • anti-viral properties
  • anti-cancer properties
  • antioxidant rich
  • may shorten flu duration
  • relaxes sore muscles
  • diminish swelling in mucous membranes
  • helpful for sinus issues
  • reduces nasal congestion
  • diuretic properties
  • detoxifying properties
  • weight management properties
  • good source of fiber
  • good source of Vitamin A
  • high Vitamin C content
  • soothes upset stomach
  • relieves gas
  • soothes burns and rashes
  • supports healthy skin
  • helps with indigestion
  • helps with constipation
  • strengthens immune system
  • allergy reduction
  • supports healthy blood sugar
  • supports a healthy weight

benefits of elderberry

Healthy Elderberry-Ginger Tea Recipe

(Serves I)

Ingredient List

1TB dried elderberries
3 thin slices of ginger
Small dash of Ceylon cinnamon
1 crushed cardamom pod (optional)
Raw local honey to taste

Instructions

Put the ginger slices into mug with a dash of cinnamon and a small spoonful of raw honey. Crush the cardamom pod and add it to an infusion ball with the elderberries. Place the ball into the mug and pour boiling spring water over everything. Place a small plate over the mug while infusing to trap in the ginger’s volatile oils. Steep for 10 minutes. Drink comfortably hot 2-3 times a day at the first sign of a cold until symptoms are gone.

In conclusion. It has been said that because of the many medicinal properties included in the elderberry plant, it is commonly called “the house pharmacy.” From colds and flu, to arthritis, to beautiful skin, elderberries and elderflowers offer bountiful medicines.

References

  1. Peterson, Scott J. COMMON ELDERBERRY. N.p.: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006. Web. 25 July 2016.
  2. “Elderberry.” Hiker’s notebook. n.d. Web. 25 July 2016.
  3. “Elderberries Sambucus, spp.” Cornell. 24 May 2016. Web. 25 July 2016.
  4. Petra, Dan. “Elderberry flower wine / Socată: Romanian food recipes.” Romanian Food Recipes. 2010. Recipe. 25 July 2016.
  5. “Poisoning from Elderberry juice — California.” Centers for Disease Control. CDC, 6 Apr. 1984. Web. 25 July 2016.
  6. New Zealand Food Safety Authority. CYANOGENIC GLYCOSIDES. New Zealand: n.p., 2010. Information Sheet. 25 July 2016.
  7. Zakay-Rones, Z, et al. “Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Elderberry Extract in the Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infections.” The Journal of international medical research. 32.2 (2004): 132–40. Web. 25 July 2016.
  8. “European elder.” National Institute of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services. NCCIH, 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 July 2016.
  9. Ehrlich, Steven D. “Elderberry.” University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 1997. Web. 25 July 2016.
  10. Vogl, Sylvia, et al. “Ethnopharmacological in Vitro Studies on Austria’s Folk Medicine—An Unexplored Lore in Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activities of 71 Austrian Traditional Herbal Drugs.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 149.3 (2013): 750–771. Web. 25 July 2016.
  11. “The Elderberry way to perfect skin.” University of East Anglia. ScienceDaily, 6 July 2007. Web. 25 July 2016.
  12. Kozłowska, A, and D Szostak-Wegierek. “Flavonoids–Food Sources and Health Benefits.” Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny. 65.2 (2014): 79–85. Web. 25 July 2016.
  13. “Phytochemicals.” Oregon State University. 2016. Web. 25 July 2016.
  14. KongFan‐kun. Pilot Clinical Study on a Proprietary Elderberry Extract: Efficacy in Addressing Influenza Symptoms. 2009. N.p.: Online Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics, 2009. Web. 25 July 2016.
  15. “Effects of Anthocyanin on skin health and markers of cardiovascular disease risk – Tabular view.” Clinical Trials. 14 Dec. 2007. Study Record Detail. 25 July 2016.
  16. Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. “The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines.” European Cytokine Network 2001 12(2):290-6.
  17. Roschek Jr. B, Fink RC, McMichael MD, et al. Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. Phytochemistry. 2009;70(10):1255-61. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.06.003.
  18. Elderberry Benefits
Loretta Lanphier is a Naturopathic Practitioner (Traditional), Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Certified Clinical Herbalist as well as the CEO / Founder of Oasis Advanced Wellness in The Woodlands TX. She has studied and performed extensive research in health science, natural hormone balancing, anti-aging techniques, nutrition, natural medicine, weight loss, herbal remedies, non-toxic cancer support and is actively involved in researching new natural health protocols and products.  A 14 year stage 3 colon cancer survivor, Loretta is able to relate to both-sides-of-the-health-coin as patient and practitioner when it comes to health and wellness. “My passion is counseling others about what it takes to keep the whole body healthy using natural and non-toxic methods.” Read Loretta’s health testimony Cancer: The Path to Healing. Loretta is Contributor and Editor of the worldwide E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. Check out Oasis Advanced Wellness and our natural skin care products Oasis Serene Botanicals.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.

You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

Join Thousands of People & Receive - Advanced Health & Wellness Monthly Newsletter
x
Join Our Wellness Newsletter!