Humankind uses RemoPlants and fruits for medicinal purpose for centuries. If you are the kind to gravitate towards natural healing methods, you must have noticed the frequent use of elderberry in most medicines. From cough syrups to immunity juice shots, lozenges and gummies – the antioxidants come directly from the use of elderberry.
What Is Elderberry?
Elderberry is a variant of the Sambucus tree. It is a dark purple fruit of the elderberry shrub. It is one of the most common medicinal plants in the world. Native Americans had used it to treat infections. Ancient Egyptians improved their complexions and healed burns with its help. Even today, Europeans use it as traditional medicine.
Health Benefits Of Elderberry
While the health benefits of elderberry have become recently popular but people have been using it for centuries all over the world.
The flowers and the leaves provide relief for pains and inflammation. They also induce detoxification. The barks of elderberry trees are used to promote natural bodily functions like urine production.
Elderberry is good for treating the following medical conditions
- Colds
- Flu virus
- Inflammation
- Heart ailments
- Joint and muscle pain
- Constipation
- Sinus infections
Several other benefits in treating medical conditions like
- Toothache
- Headache
- Epilepsy
- Kidney problems
- Weight loss
- Blood pressure
- Burns
Elderberry syrup or elderberry juice is a rich source of antioxidants, known as anthocyanins. Its vitamin contents boost the immune system. Thus, it has a powerful nutrient profile. It is used as a supplement in certain forms of medicines such as Syrups, tonics, topical ointments, and pills. Interestingly, the use of elderberry is also common in daily food products including jams and wines.
Elderberry syrup for flu treats the symptoms effectively. It cures infections, nerve pains, migraines, and chest pain as well. It also improves the cardiovascular and circulatory functions of the human body.
Elderberry for colds alleviates respiratory conditions such as cold and cough. It reduces the severity and intensity of the infection when taken within 48 hours at the onset of the symptoms. It also reduces upper-airway symptoms. Elderberry is a great placebo for the long-haul airline passengers. It can prevent influenza infection too.
A glass of elderberry juice is an excellent source of dietary fibre. It makes up a large amount of the recommended daily intake of dietary fibre. Therefore, improves bowel functioning. It also protects against colorectal cancer.
Risks In Elderberry Consumption
However, despite so many benefits, one needs to be careful of these side effects. There are certain drawbacks of elderberry as well.
- Raw elderberry can be toxic and poisonous. Consumption of its wrong part leads to dizziness, numbness, abdominal distension, difficulty in breathing, diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea
- Remove the stalks before cooking. Boil it to a thicker consistency of syrup
- A pregnant or breastfeeding mother should avoid it
- Even children should not consume it raw
- People with immune problems can develop reactions to it
- A diuretic should not take it because it will make him pee more
Nevertheless, the use of elderberry has a strong nutrient profile. It has an impressive amount of antioxidants, vitamins, and fibre which work as a medicinal plant.
