11 Reasons Why Elderberry Is Good For Health

Harvested from the indigenous Sambucus elder tree, elderberries have been a source of nutrition and medicine for thousands of years.

Today, the tart berries are often cooked down to make elderberry pies, jams, and juices, or fermented to make wine. While definitive research is ongoing, many people swear by its healing properties and rely on elderberry syrup or tablets to boost their immune system and overcome common illnesses.

Elderberry is the dark purple berry from the European elder tree. The berries are used to make medicine. Do not confuse elderberry with American Elder, Elderflower, or Dwarf Elder.

Elderberry is used for the common cold, "the flu" (influenza), and H1N1 "swine" flu. It is also used for HIV/AIDS and boosting the immune system. Elderberry is also used for sinus pain, back and leg pain (sciatica), nerve pain (neuralgia), and chronic fatigue syndrome .

# Colds and Flu

Elderberries are anti-catarrhal which means that they can fight off runny noses and congestion because they reduce inflammation in the body and get rid of whatever mucous it is that might be causing you to be ill.

Through varying studies, elderberries have been found to lessen a high fever in two days and wipe influenza B completely in two to three days rather than the usual six.

# Immune Health

Elderberries are so dark purple that they are almost black. Why is this worth noting? Because they get their color from a flavonoid called anthocyanins. Flavonoids are antioxidants and these what fight off infections, colds, general bacteria and viruses, and even free radicals that can cause cancer.

Elderberries also have what are called cytokines which boost your immune health even more and back the antioxidants. The cytokines are freed from the immune cells in your body and can either increase or decrease the amount of inflammation in your body based on what your body needs to best fight off the illness.

# Allergy Aid

One of the biggest effects that pollen has on people with allergies is the inflammation it causes. Then from the there, inflammation is what causes the watery and itchy eyes, running nose, congestion, and sneezing. The anti-inflammatories that are in the elderberries can actually do wonders to dial down the amount of the suffering you undergo. This is an especially helpful elderberry health benefit if you often suffer from hay fever.

# Urinary Tract Infections and Bladder Infections

Urinary tract infections, UTIs, can come with a good amount of pain, a burning sensation when you urinate, and a constant feeling that you need to pee. Some people are so heavily affected by these symptoms that they fall into a depression.

Elderberries help your liver and kidneys to boost up and get rid of whatever is in your body that is causing the UTI. The anti-inflammatory properties that keep coming up are important too because they can help to ease some the pain that comes with urination.

# Nutrients

You do not have to wonder about whether or not elderberries are worth the picking or money. This berry herb is packed full of amazing things. 100 grams of the berries have all of the following.

Carbs: 18.4 g
Protein: 0.66 g
Magnesium: 5 mg
Calcium: 38 mg
Phosphorus: 39 mg
Potassium: 280 mg
Vitamin C: 36 mg
Iron: 1.6 mg
Vitamin B: 7 mg
Zinc: 0.11 mg
Fiber: 7g
Vitamin A: 30 mg

# Antioxidants

The vitamin C, phenolic acid, anthocyanins, and flavonols are all different kinds of antioxidants. But why is this worth noting? Because antioxidants kill off molecules that build up in the body and can cause cancers and type two diabetes. They also fight off chronic diseases, oxidative tissue damage, and lower inflammation which can help get an illness out faster.

# Sinus Infections

Elderberries are incredible not only when it comes to colds and flu, but they can also be your best friend when fighting off a sinus infection. When suffering from a sinus infection, studies in Switzerland have been showing that elderberries can ease up the infected membranes in the nose, it can kill off the infection, and it can further decongest you while helping your body to get rid of the infection faster. So the next time you find yourself or a loved one suffering from a sinus infection, cook up some elderberry tea.

# Laxative

It has been mentioned that elderberries help illness and infections to leave the body faster right? That does not only go for illness. It also with waste. If you have constipation, then you might want to try some elderberries in some form.

# Blood Sugar

Elderberries, for quite some time now, have been used in treating type 2 diabetes because the berry helps the body to release insulin and gets the glucose metabolism going strong and faster. In studies of both rats and humans, elderberries have been proven to help keep blood sugar lower in type one and type two diabetics.

# Cancer Prevention

This herb, as mentioned, is loaded to the brim with antioxidants. Those antioxidants do more than keep away colds and free radicals. If you already have cancer, elderberries have been found to help to slow the spreading of it, and to reverse the damage caused by cancer.

# Skin Health

The anthocyanin vitamin A, bioflavonoids, and antioxidants in elderberries make it a perfect candidate for keeping your skin healthy from varying things and helping it to keep a healthy structure. It is not uncommon to find elderberry extract in lotions, creams, and other cosmetic items.