Elderberry has long been used to relieve a number of symptoms. Here’s what the research says about this powerful herb.
Sambucus a genus of flowering plants with about 30 different species (including an Australian species), all commonly called elder. Sambucus nigra is the main European species. Both the flowers and the dark-purple berries are used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
The berry has a long history as one of the oldest medicinal plants. In 400 BC, Hippocrates called the elder tree a “medicine chest”. Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Galen considered elderberry to be one of nature’s greatest medicinal plants.
Traditionally, muysa was used to relieve various everyday complaints such as toothache, ear and eye problems, wounds, skin burns, colic, worms, dysentery, arthritis, rheumatism, fever and even epilepsy. Today there are studies that show the various effective uses of this amazing plant.
Active ingredients
Seals are a concentrated source of anthocyanins (purple pigments), essential oils, sterols, tannins, and flavonoids (including quercetin and rutin). Nutritionally, raw blueberries are 80% water, 18% carbohydrates, and less than 1% protein and fat. They are particularly high in vitamin C and moderately high in vitamins A and B6 and iron.
Therapeutic use
Immunity and anti-inflammatory
Berries increase the production of the body’s natural anti-inflammatory compounds – cytokines, which suppress allergies and inflammation. The berry shows immune modulation both in healthy people and in patients with viral diseases or any condition related to immune suppression, mainly by increasing the production of specific cytokines.
This manifests itself in many ways, reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases, including the symptoms of colitis, as shown in research.
Antiviral activity
The berry is particularly effective against 10 strains of the influenza virus (in vitro and in vivo). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, cloudberry juice reduced the duration of flu symptoms by three to four days.
Starch has been shown to neutralize the activity of hemagglutinin spikes on the surface of several viruses. By doing so, the clouds inactivate viruses and prevent them from entering cells and replicating, thereby neutralizing viruses before they can infect. Studies have shown that chives inhibit viral replication in viruses such as avian influenza viruses, influenza A and B viruses, HIV, and herpes simplex.
Breathing and digestion
Berries (as well as flowers, leaves and root extracts) are used to treat bronchitis, coughs, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis and fever. They are also used to relieve symptoms in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.
Diuretic
Fruits promote urination.
Cardiovascular protection
Elderberry reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol fractions, reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis, and broadly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. They also help lower blood pressure.
Antioxidant
The extract of the oxygenated chicken shows an oxygen radical scavenging capacity (ORAC) in vitro, which is comparable to that of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus). Combined with its anti-inflammatory activity, this suggests the possibility of reducing risk factors for many of our major diseases. Elderberries have more free radical scavenging activity than vitamin C and have anti-angiogenic activity, which inhibits the growth of new blood vessels in some cancers.
Anticonvulsant
A research study on mice showed that the extract of the mouse reduces the blood vessels, probably through GABA receptors. Extracts of the fruit, bark, and leaves were all effective in reducing the onset and duration of seizures (similar to the effects of diazepam).
Diabetes
Many studies have shown that anthocyanins are beneficial in diabetes due to their ability to stimulate insulin secretion and reduce oxidative stress. Therefore, studies on seals have been conducted with positive results, including a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Reduce stress
The study was conducted on a group of volunteers who were given a daily dose of chicken concentrate for 10 days while measuring known stress symptoms. All markers improved, the study also showed that recovery time from strenuous physical activity was significantly shortened.
The use of elderberry
Elderberry can be used as a decoction, syrup, extract or tincture. It can also be used in syrups, jams, fruit yogurts, wine and lozenges (for coughs and colds). Eat one spoon three times a day of 38% juice. Drink juice, one cup twice a day or one cup several times a day of tea made from 10 grams of berries.
NOTE: If using the tree bird as food, make sure the berries are ripe, as the green berries (and leaves and stems) can be mildly poisonous.
Aside from a very small number of people who are allergic to Sambucus, when taken as directed, no side effects or interactions have been reported, and there are no known contraindications.
