What is Elderberry?
Elderberry is the dark purple berry from the European elder tree. The berries are used to make medicine.
The European elder (black elderberry, Sambucus nigra) is the species most often used in supplements. Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The different species of Sambucus are commonly called elderberry or elder. The berries and flowers of the elder plant are used as medicine.
Top 5 Benefits of using Black Elderberry*:
1. Immune System Booster
Elderberry is one of the top herbs used for cold and flu remedy with good reason.
They are naturally high in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, iron and potassium, among several other essential nutrients.
Elderberry syrup, capsules, and juices are commonly found in households during the cold and flu season.
One of the most well-studied elderberry benefits is its powerful immune-boosting properties.
Research shows that the symptoms of colds and flu can be reduced by days with the use of elderberry. A study published in the Journal of International Medical Research shows that when the elderberry extract is used within the first 48 hours of the onset of flu it can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by an average of 4 days!
It has been found by observation and clinical studies* that elderberry contains supportive agents against flu and influenza. These observation were undertaken on people that were in long flights and taking in account they are very stressful affecting the physical and psychological health.
Also, in non-travel situations has been observed that a combination of echinacea herb and root extract supplemented with elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) can assist the body to fight against flu and influenza.
2. Antioxidant properties
Elderberry is higher in flavonoids than blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and goji berries when it comes to antioxidant power!
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Antioxidants are released from the foods we eat through digestion and travel through the bloodstream and into cells.
3. Elderberry for Sinus Infection Symptoms
With elderberry’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it makes sense that it can help treat sinus issues.
A sinus infection is a condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed, and this antiviral herb has promise as a sinus infection natural remedy.
There was a study undertaken on 936 adults and when the elderberry was taken within 48 hours of onset of acute respiratory viral infection, it showed that it may reduce the duration and severity of common cold and influenza symptoms in adults.*
Also there were finding on these studies that it may have supportive agents against nasal congestion and nasal mucous in adults.* See the link to these studies in the resource section.
4. Natural diuretic
A diuretic is a substance that promotes the production of urine. Doctors prescribe diuretics when the body retains too much fluid, which is a common problem in older adults. Thanks to its ability to act as a natural diuretic, elderberry has been shown to promote both urination and bowel moments to help protect against fluid retention.
5. Encourages healthy skin
Elderberry's natural content of bioflavonoids, antioxidants, and vitamin A are thought to improve the skin's overall health.
Active Constituents of Black Elderberry
Black Elderberry the following compounds:
- Cyanidin
- Cyanidin-3-glucoside
- Cyanidin-3-sambubioside
- Procyanidin B2
- Procyanidin C1
Flavonoids: quercetin-3-glucoside and quercetin-3-rutinoside.
We explain the importance of active constituents on herbs in this article.
How to Use Elderberry
Elderberry is available at many local health stores and online retailers and can be purchased in a variety of different forms. Elderberry gummies, elderberry wine, and elderberry juice are all popular options for getting this incredible ingredient.
When it comes to colds, flu, and upper respiratory issues, elderberry syrup is very popular. There are high-quality brands readily available for purchase, or you can find many online resources for how to make elderberry syrup to try making it at home. Most elderberry syrup recipe options out there involve simmering elderberries with a bit of water and a variety of other healing herbs for 45 minutes to an hour.
You might be interested in our recipe as well: Fresh Elderberry Lemonade Recipe - Easy Steps!
Whichever form of elderberry you choose just make sure the ingredients are pure and natural with no added sugar.
As if being sick wasn’t bad enough, studies have shown that sugar can interfere with the way your body fights disease. Bacteria and yeast feed on sugar, so excess glucose in the body causes these organisms to build up and cause infections.
You can also use black elderberry as a natural energy booster.
Now the next question is: how often should you take it?
Unlike some herbal supplements, elderberry is a supplement you can take every day. During symptoms of cold and flu, you can increase the daily dosage to 3-4 times a day.
Herbal Roots aka Mortar and Pestle Herbs uses only organic elderberry powder. Our elderberry is not chemically processed and has no additives or fillers. There is also NO added sugar in our supplement.
We also recommend to take Eldermune with Sunfiber™ which is a prebiotic fiber that helps replace the natural elderberry fiber lost during the juicing process. Learn more on the product page.
Learn More - Sources & Studies:
1. Study of Black Elderberry on Travellers. This study observed that people travelling long distance were more expose to contamination and stress, thus increasing the chance to get sick. Then it was observed they were recovered significantly while taking black elderberry.
2. A semantic scholar study.The study shows how eldeberry assist the body to fight against flu, influenza and sinus infections.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than what is shown on our website. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product.
