Benefits Of Elderberry Extract & Anthocyanins

Herbalists have used elderberry extract and other elderberry parts for centuries to treat illnesses, especially those related to feverish colds, flu and excessive phlegm. Herb lore of the 15th century claimed elderberry could cure the bite of an adder snake. Native Americans used elderberry to reduce fevers and soothe rheumatism. Modern research has shown elderberry extract is rich in anthocyanin, the water-soluble pigment that gives some red, blue and purple fruits their rich color and signals the likely presence of antioxidants and flavonoids. These compounds may be effective in fighting inflammations and infections in a wide range of illnesses and chronic diseases. Always check with your healthcare professional before using elderberry extract for any medical condition.

Fighting the Flu

Elderberry extract is the primary ingredient in Sambucol, a patented flu-fighting medicine that was widely used in Europe during the outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus. Research at Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem showed that the antiviral, anti-inflammatory properties in the patented elderberry extract helped reduced the duration of flu symptoms in patients to 3 to 4 days. The elderberry extract treatment was effective on eight out of 10 different types of flu viruses tested. When recovering, the flu patients who were treated with elderberry extract also showed higher levels of antibodies in their bloodstream than those flu patients who did not receive elderberry extract treatment. Check with your physician before pursuing a course of treatment involving elderberry extract.

Boosting the Immune System

Elderberry extract is a natural antioxidant, which makes it a good tonic to give your immune system a boost. Research is under way to test the theory that elderberry may offer some protection to depressed immune systems that are susceptible to such diseases as HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, according to MDIdea. The HIV-related research was contained in a paper entitled "Anti-HIV Activity of a Glycoprotein from First Trimester Placental Tissue," by researchers AK Kondapi, MA Hafiz and T. Sivaram from the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, India.

The elderberry extract Sambucol can have an immunoprotective effect when administered to cancer or AIDS patients, in conjunction with chemotherapeutic or other treatments, according to the Immunology Laboratory for Tumor Diagnosis, Department of Oncology, Hadassah University Hospital. Elderberry also contains anti-viral properties, and its anti-inflammatory properties means elderberry may be an effective pain-fighter.

Clearing Congestion

One historical folk use of elderberry was to reduce excessive phlegm and congestion. Herbalists have long used elderberry extract and tea to help soothe and shrink swollen mucus membranes, relieve nasal congestion and ward off infections that may lead to bronchitis and sinusitis. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug, Sinupret, made from elderberry plants, to treat bacterial sinusitis. Scientists at Thorne Research are studying elderberry extract to test these practices and determine how effective the plant derivative may be in reducing mucus secretions in the sinuses and improving sinus drainage that accompanies colds and allergies.