Discover Elderberry for Your Health
Posted By Dr. Axe On February 1, 2012
[1]In a study published in The Journal of International Medical Research it was found that when one group of people suffering from influenza were given 15ml of elderberry four times per day for five days they recovered faster and suffered from less severe flu symptoms than the placebo group.
In another study out of London led by Retroscreen Virology in 2009, elderberry was also found effective in fighting the flu, this time it was the dreaded Swine flu or H1N1. Again the duration and severity of flu symptoms were reduced.
What is Elderberry?
The elderberry tree has been around for thousands of years. This tree full of mystery, superstition, and magical healing powers has long been the source of many improvements in health. From improving Egyptian beauties complexion to fighting cancer and aids in the healing centers of Israel the health benefits associated with the common elderberry are vast.
This tree native to Europe grows to about twenty-five feet tall while its American counterpart peaks at around ten feet. Both varieties produce flowers, berries, and even a bark used in traditional folk healing. But today elderberry is being noticed by both the medical and scientific fields for its medicinal properties.
Health Benefits of Elderberry
Elderberry has a long, rich history of use for medicinal benefits by numerous cultures. Today science is finding evidence to back these theorized health benefits.
- Immune System Booster
- Improves vision
- Fights infections including influenza, herpes, viral infections, bacterial infections
- Lowers cholesterol
- Improves heart health
- Fights coughs and colds
- Protect against cell damage
- Impedes yeast infections
- Fights hay fever
- Helps with asthma
- Improves complexion
- Improves eczema
Many of these benefits are theorized to be a result of the ability of elderberry to balance and boost the immune system. When a person’s body and immune system are in balance the body is able to use its own natural defenses to fight off infections of any kind and stay healthy.
Today as we eat highly processed foods, live with a daily exposure to pollution of all kinds, experience high stress, and increase our toxin loads the immune system is one of the most compromised body systems.
If we balance the immune system all naturally, many of our other health issues will ‘magically’ disappear.
How Elderberry Works for Optimal Health
Now when it comes to health we’re able to look at science to logically understand the ‘magic’ of this so called “common man’s medicine chest.” What science is revealing is the antioxidant activity of elderberries that make it a must have for the body.
In particular elderberries are rich in the phytochemicals known as flavonoids. The class of flavonoid that elderberry is loaded with is anthocyanins. The elderberry is the most concentrated source of anthocyanins.
These anthocyanins act as a potent immune system booster protecting cells and keeping the body from harm. According to research by Dr. Rechkemmer, president of Germany’s Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food, the purple-black pigment of the elderberry containing the anthocyanins promote the production of cytokines.
Cytokines are the body’s protein messengers that keep the immune system healthy, balanced, and strong. These little proteins are essential for the immune system to function properly and protect the body from harm. Cytokines are sent by the body during an immune system response directly to the sight of the trouble.
Elderberry and the Panama Flu Epidemic
During the 1995 Panama flu epidemic the government employed the use of the elderberry to fight the flu. This elderberry juice greatly reduced the time of the flu as well as the severity thus helping to end the epidemic.
It’s not just the flavonoids that researchers think are at work with elderberry. In addition to this important nutrient elderberries contain:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Tannins
- Cartenoids
- Amino acids
- Sugar
- Rutin
- Viburnic acid
This rich variety of nutrients help the body to get many of the nutrients it desperately needs to stay healthy.
Using Elderberry to Boost Your Immune System
There are many ways to use elderberries. As they’ve been around for many years there are sure fire ways to prepare your own elderberry concoction or you can buy one from a high quality, reputable supplement company.
Most every part of the elderberry can be used. The flowers, bark, berries, roots, and leaves are all often used to make a health potion. You must be careful to avoid consuming raw berries however as the seeds are toxic and can cause vomiting and nausea.
Elderberry can be made into the following:
14 Ways to Consume Elderberry
- Tea
- Wine
- Juice
- Jelly and jams
- Syrup
- Ointments
- Astringent
- Infusions
- Sprays
- Lozenges
- Pills
- Liquid
- Powder
- Capsules
Depending on your personal preference as well as your health needs any of these elderberry preparations can be either made or bought. Visit your local health food store or online supplement supplier to get elderberry supplements to boost your immune system and improve your health.
Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [2], herbwisdom.com [3], blackelderberry.info [4]
Dr. Axe's Action Steps
- During the cold and flu season consider using an elderberry supplement to boost your immune system.
- Visit your local organic gardening center and look for elderberries to make your own preparations.
- Make an effort to eat real foods rich in various antioxidants year round to boost your health.
Article printed from DrAxe.com: http://www.draxe.com
URL to article: http://www.draxe.com/discover-elderberry-for-your-health/
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.draxe.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/elderberry.jpg
[2] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016
[3] herbwisdom.com: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-elderberry.html
[4] blackelderberry.info : http://www.blackelderberry.info/index.cfm?id=374
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