Elderberry has proteins and bioflavonoids, including anthocyanins and quercetin, which act as powerful antioxidants that impair the ability of the flu virus to infect healthy cells. They also contain large amounts of vitamin C, which is effective in fighting viral infections. As the antioxidant properties of elderberry enhance the body's immune system, it can be taken not only as a treatment for the flu, but also as a preventative measure.
Elderberry Description and Habitat
Elderberry is a small tree or shrub that grows up to a maximum of 20 feet high. The fruit is used as a remedy for colds and the flu. It is a small and round purple-black berry that droops in clusters during the late summer and early autumn months.
The plant most commonly grows in wetland areas close to swamps, lakes, rivers and canals. According to Cornell University, elderberry usually grows in climate zones 3 and 4.
Elderberry Properties
According to a study done by the Purdue University Department of Agriculture, elderberry fruits have 147 total antioxidant capacity points, using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) method. This ranks them highest in antioxidant capacity compared with all other small fruits, such as raspberry, mullberry and cranberry tying for second highest at 95 points. This antioxidant count makes elderberry fruit a powerful aid for fighting flu and cold viruses.
Elderberry fruit is also known to contain viburnic acid and tannins, both effective in improving respiration and treating nasal congestion.
Additional properties of elderberry include high levels of calcium, vitamin A and C and amino acids.
Elderberry Fruit Harvesting
The best time to harvest elderberry fruit is in late August and early September when the fruit is ripe. You should remove the entire cluster and then strip the berries. If you will be making tinctures or syrups, you will want to dry the berries for at least one week. You can also make jams, in which case you will want to use the fruits right away.
Elderberry jam is a creative way of getting the benefits of the fruit. Tinctures, however, contain a higher dosage of the fruit's medicinal properties.
You may be able to find dried elderberries at a local health food store and they are also available online. Make sure you know your sources well and that you favor organic berries since you are going to be using them for medicine, and pesticides can be harmful to your health.
Making Elderberry Tincture
It is simple to make a tincture out of elderberry fruits. Fill a clean jar with elderberries and 100 proof vodka. Place wax paper on top and put the lid on tightly. Use a sticker to label your tincture with the name of the medicine and the date. Store the jar in a cool and dark place, shaking it once a week for four weeks. Open the jar and strain the tincture with a cheese cloth.
This tincture can be taken during flu and cold infections, one tablespoon every six hours. You can also take one tablespoon daily as an immune enhancer. If the taste of the tincture is too strong for you, you can dilute it in half a cup of filtered water.
Elderberry tincture may also be available at a health food store or online.
Precautions
Only the berries from black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) are edible and medicinal. Other varieties of elderberry may be harmful to your health. Also, elderberry is very similar to a toxic plant called water hemlock. If you are wild-harvesting the berries yourself, make sure to have a plant identification book with you to make sure you are harvesting the right plant.
Member Comments