{"id":201977,"date":"2021-11-16T10:01:49","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T15:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scienceandartofherbalism.com\/?p=201977"},"modified":"2022-05-24T13:19:09","modified_gmt":"2022-05-24T17:19:09","slug":"elderberry-medicine-potent-and-powerful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceandartofherbalism.com\/elderberry-medicine-potent-and-powerful\/","title":{"rendered":"Elderberry Medicine: Potent and Powerful"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

I began my love affair with Elder (Sambucus nigra, <\/i>Sambucus canadensis<\/i>) when I was in my teens. This vigorous shrub grew with joyful abandon along the creek sides and bordered the farmland where I grew up as a child. In the spring the branches of Elder were thick with fragrant creamy blossoms that were picked, dipped in batter, lightly fried, then served warm with Elderberry jam. Later, as summer progressed, the flowers transformed into thick clusters of dark berries. These berries were definitely sour and not by anyone\u2019s definition delicious, but they were highly prized nonetheless and were turned into flavorful jams, jellies, wines, and pies not to mention an array of medicinal herbal products.<\/p>\n

There is probably no plant in herbal history that has been written about with more enthusiasm ~ or surrounded with mystery ~ than the rather humble Elder. Though every part of the plant is considered useful and\/or medicinal, it\u2019s the blue-purple Elderberries that are key ingredients in many favorite remedies. Whether you\u2019re a budding herbalist or have many years of medicine making experience, we hope you enjoy this overview of Elderberry\u2019s best use and some very popular and effective Elderberry recipes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Potent Medicine<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Elderberry medicine includes a wide variety of herbal remedies made from the Elder plant, Sambucus nigra.<\/i><\/p>

High in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, Elderberries can play a key role in supporting the health of the immune system. The berries also contain significant amounts of flavonoids and anthocyanins that are both heart protective and immuno enhancing. And the berries (as well as the flowers) contain important anti-viral properties. Studies have shown that early treatment with Elderberry extract can reduce the severity and duration of flu-like illness.1<\/a><\/sup>Zakay-Rones, Z., Thom, E., Wollan, T., & Wadstein, J. (2004). Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. The Journal of international medical research, 32(2), 132\u2013140. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/147323000403200205<\/a><\/span><\/p>

Elderberry could also have an important role in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. A 2001 double-blind, placebo-controlled study notes \u201cWe conclude from this study that, in addition to its antiviral properties, Sambucol Elderberry Extract and its formulations activate the healthy immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production. Sambucol might therefore be beneficial to the immune system activation and in the inflammatory process in healthy individuals or in patients with various diseases.\u201d2<\/a><\/sup>Barak, V., Halperin, T., & Kalickman, I. (2001). The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. European cytokine network, 12(2), 290\u2013296.<\/span><\/p>