Elderberry
Elderberry is a wild, deciduous plant. In Central European countries, it is often grown as a fruit tree. It has a long history of use for cold and flu.
Usage
Immune System
It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins that boosts immune system.
Cold and flu
Have been shown to help reduce the severity and length of respiratory infection caused by viruses.
Heart health
Has promising results on the hearth health.
How to add elderberry to your diet?
Make a Tea
Elderberry tea has sweet and tart taste with earthy undertones.
Elderberry Syrup
Popular way to take syrup is when cold and flu symptoms starts.
Jam
Elderberry jam is a good way to compliment any breakfast.
In the writings of Hippocrates, it is stated that he referred to elderberries as a cure for heartburn.
Both Greek and Roman folk used it in the same way and for the same symptoms.
Dioscorides and Galen considered it to be the most powerful medicinal plant in the region.
In North Africa and some parts of Asia it was used to drive away evil spirits from tribes.
About
Elderberry (lat. Sambucus nigra) is a wild, deciduous plant. It blooms in May and June, and then the pale-yellow flowers turn into berries that are first green, and then dark purple and black.
The berries are full of antioxidants - anthocyanins. The flower can be used to make tea, juice, liqueurs, sparkling drinks, added to dishes due to its aromatic smell, and used in the cosmetics industry. The flowers should be picked when they are fragrant a few days after the rain, and with drying, the intense smell becomes milder.
In Central European countries, it is often grown as a fruit tree. It thrives in all circumstances, including dry and moist soil, especially in sunny locations. The first family it was taxonomically affiliated with was Caprifoliaceae. However, due to certain results obtained on the basis of genetic experiments, it is today classified in the family Adoxaceae.
It originates from Europe and North America, from where it has spread all over the world. It is also found in Asia and in certain parts of the southern hemisphere. Most species of the genus Sambucus come from the forest and subtropical regions. Many of them are widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves, flowers, and fruit.
Science
Numerous studies and analyzes have confirmed the healing properties of berries and revealed that its fruit contains over 40 active ingredients, flavonoids, polyphenols, minerals, and vitamins, which together and successfully fight viral infections.
According to one of the latest studies published in the American Journal of Functional Foods, it has been proven that the components of the black fruit directly act on the virus, the fruit extract prevents the virus from binding to the cell, and the components of the fruit prevent the virus from binding to the cell directly and indirectly. Firstly, they block the proteins that the viruses "attach" to the cell and the proteins that allow the virus to enter the cell. Secondly, they the production of certain "cell messengers", which have a role in coordinating different types of immune cells for the best possible response to the entry of the virus into the body.
It has been shown that certain components of the fruit extract, even more effectively, prevent the virus from further multiplying into the cell. It has been proven that a fruit extract inhibits the enzyme necessary for the virus to multiply in the cell, and its exit from the cell, in order for it to spread further.
Safety
Elderberries should never be eaten raw because they are toxic and can cause poisoning. Heat treatment completely destroys the toxicity of berries, so the preparation and the way it is done are very important.
Due to the toxicity of the fruit, it is not advisable to prepare it yourself, and instead, the use of high-quality fruit extracts produced in controlled conditions, with modern technology, is always recommended. Direct contact with fresh Sambucus flowers can cause allergic reactions to sensitive people.
Fun Facts
Due to its exceptional healing properties, many believed that it was also magical. Even the famous Harry Potter magic wand made of wood is called (Elder Wand).
About
Milena, V., Tatjana, M., Gökhan, Z., Ivana, B., Aleksandra, C., Mohammad, M. F., & Marija, R. (2019). Advantages of contemporary extraction techniques for the extraction of bioactive constituents from black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) flowers. Industrial Crops and Products, 136, 93-101.
Ağalar, H. G. (2019). Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.). In Nonvitamin and Nonmineral Nutritional Supplements (pp. 211-215). Academic Press.
Holst, L., Havnen, G. C., & Nordeng, H. (2014). Echinacea and elderberry—should they be used against upper respiratory tract infections during pregnancy?. Frontiers in pharmacology, 5, 31.
Recipes
