Elderberries and their flower are packed with antioxidants, in fact, in folk medicine Elderberry is considered to be the most healing of all plants. Though there are over 30 types of elderflower, the Sambucus Nigra variation found in Europe is most closely tied to healing and boosting the immune system.
Reducing inflammation and alleviating stress are two of Elderberry and Elderflower’s more popular qualities and has also been used as treatment for a number of ailments including respiratory infections. As we all know by now, Covid 19 affects the upper respiratory tract and can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions, resulting in some case in Pneumonia. Therefore, protection of this system is crucial to protect us at this time.
Introducing Elderberry into our diet may have some immunity boosting effects and can be found in supplement form and can be difficult to ingest it in its natural form as processed forms of Elderberry are found more widely in the food industry.
As with all new supplemental additions to your diet, check with a health professional before taking Elderberry in large doses. It can have a diuretic effect so drink plenty of water with it and avoid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Elderberries are also high in Vitamin C, which as we have already established, has been widely used to treat the common cold by supporting cellular functions of the immune system, directing immune cells to the site of infection and defending these cells from free radicals.
Extracts of black elderberries have been used in studies to confirm the positive effects it can have on the severity and length of influenza. Subjects found a significant improvement in symptoms, after just 2-4 days, whilst those without Elderberry took between 7-8 days to see any improvement at all.
The Elderberry is packed with antioxidants, in fact, the anthocyanins and flavonoids in Elderberries have 3.5 times the amount of antioxidant power of Vitamin E, and we know these to be hugely beneficial to us and that they help prevent chronic disease.
One particular study showed that Elderberry polyphenols produced more white blood cells, which in turn supported the immune system offering it more stability.
