benefits of elderberry

The diuretic and antiinflammatory activity of elderberries helps explain its use in rheumatic and arthritic conditions. Elderberries are a dark blue, purplish berry that is both rich in color and nutrition. These berries contain very high amounts of the polyphenol anthocyanin, which give them their dark color. Anthocyanin's antioxidant ability allows the berries to survive periods of intense UV light radiation from the sun. These antioxidants are passed on to those who consume the berry and provide anticarcinogenic benefits.

Elderberries as a syrup have a longestablished effect in regulating bowel activity, moderating extremes of diarrhoea and constipation. Elderberry has a very high ORAC, or oxygen radical absorbance capacity, score: over twice as much as blueberry and cranberry. Elderberry also contains trace minerals and has more vitamin C than oranges. Studies have shown that elderberry supports brain health, improves immune coordination, protects blood vessels and reduces cancer cell growth patterns in the body.

The elderberry shrub typically grows to about 10 feet tall and shows yellow and white blossoms in early summer, followed by deep blue or black berries which usually ripen around September.

A standardized elderberry extract may offer a safe, natural alternative to treat influenza type A and B, suggest A. Jakay Rones and associates, based on their doubleblind, placebocontrolled study published in the winter 1995 issue of Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, New York. The efficacy of this elderberry extract was assessed on a group of subjects during a major outbreak of influenza virus in Panama in 1993. The authors found that 90 percent of subjects who took elderberry extract were completely cured within two to three days, where the placebo group achieved the same results within six days.

Elderberry may help you loose weight, according to an observational study conducted by C. Chrubasik and associates from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany. The study included 80 participants who consumed daily elderberry juice enriched with elderberry flower and berry powder extracts, as well as asparagusbased extracts. The authors found that this herbal formula significantly improved not only the weight, but the blood pressure, physical and emotional state of participants as well. More research is needed to confirm these clinical findings.

Drinking elderberry tea is considered safe, however, if you consider talking elderberry extracts or syrups, consult a qualified professional first to find out your optimal dosage, possible side effects and drug interactions. Elderberry is available as a liquid, syrup, and tincture, as well as in capsule and lozenge forms. Dried elder flower is usually standardized to at least 0.8% flavonoids. Sambucol is standardized to 38% elderberry extract for adults and 19% for children. Sinupret contains 18 mg of elder flower.

Elderberry's effectiveness in treating the flu, but several studies indicate that the herb shows promise as a flufighter. In a 2004 study of 60 people suffering from flulike symptoms, for instance, scientists found that those who used elderberry extract for five days (taking 15 ml in syrup form four times daily) saw their symptoms subside four days earlier than study members assigned to a placebo treatment.

Since the influenza virus can lead to serious health problems (including pneumonia, a potentially lifethreatening condition), it's critical to seek medical treatment if you're experiencing flu symptoms such as fever, extreme tiredness, and body aches. While a prescription flu medication is the best way to knock out the flu, natural remedies like elderberry,ginseng, and echinacea can provide additional relief of your symptoms.

To help relieve flu symptoms, begin taking a standardized elderberry extract (found in most health food stores and shops that specialize in herbal remedies) as soon as you start to feel sick. Available in syrup and capsule form, elderberry can cause mild indigestion or allergic reactions in some individuals. However, such side effects are rare.

Elderberry may help boost immunity by increasing the body's production of cytokines (proteins involved in regulating the immune system's response to disease and infection), according to a 2001 study on the elderberry extract Sambucol. The study's authors suggest that Sambucol may deliver an immuneenhancing effect when administered to people with cancer or AIDS, but this theory still needs to be tested in clinical trials.