If you are suffering from an infection, poor immune function or chronic illness, consuming elderberry may give your immune system the boost that it needs. Elderberries are superfoods with high levels of vitamins, antioxidants and phytochemicals, and are beneficial for viral infections, allergies and inflammatory conditions. Consult with a doctor and a registered medical herbalist before purchasing elderberry products to make sure they are OK for you to take.
History
Elderberries are from the European elder tree and are used extensively in folk medicine. The dark berries are often cooked to prepare elderberry wine, syrup or juice, which is then used in the treatment of infection, convalescence and as an internal cleanser. Elderflower is also used extensively in herbal medicine but has different medicinal properties from the fruit. The 16th century herbalist Dr. Nicholas Culpeper recommended both the fruit and roots of the elder for the same purposes, as a cleanser, a diuretic, to cure snake bites, to cure bites from rabid dogs and as a dark hair dye.
Pharmacology
Elderberries are a rich source of nutrients and active compounds that benefit the immune system. According to Susanna Lyle, Ph.D., author of "Eat Smart, Stay Well," elderberries contain vitamin C, quercetin, rutin, carotenoids and anthocyanins. Quercetin helps with allergies and reduces inflammation, and vitamin C is an important nutrient for immune health. Anthocyanins, which give the elderberries their dark color, are powerful antioxidants that protect against free-radical damage and oxidation. The immune-stimulating and anti-viral properties of elderberries are attributed to the presence of these anthocyanins, four of which have been identified.
Clinical Studies
In a clinical trial published in "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" in 1995, researchers from Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School in Israel studied the effects of elderberry extract on humans suffering from the flu. Elderberry had a significant effect on the improvement of symptoms, helping patients taking it recover up to four days faster than those who did not take elderberry extract. Results were beneficial for infections of both influenza A and influenza B and suggest that taking elderberry may benefit your immune system and protect you against multiple strains of the flu.
Safety and Toxicity
Elderberries are safe, non-toxic and well-tolerated by the majority of the population, though care should be taken when preparing extracts or products from elderberries yourself. According to Drug Information Online, some adverse reactions have been reported after drinking fresh elderberry juice. Elderberry extract or juice should be cooked before you ingest them, and avoid the leaves and stems, which contain cyanide chemicals. If selecting elderberries from the wild, identify the black elderberry species carefully, because red elderberry is potentially purgative and toxic.
References
- "Eat Smart, Stay Well"; Susanna Lyle; 2010
- "The Israel Medical Association Journal"; The Effect of Herbal Remedies on the Production of Human Inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines; Vivian Baral, et al.; 2002
- "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Inhibition of Several Strains of Influenza Virus In Vitro and Reduction of Symptoms by an Elderberry Extract (Sambucus Nigra L.) During an Outbreak of Influenza B Panama; Z. Zakav-Rones, et al.; 1995
- Drugs.com: Elderberry
- "Culpeper's Complete Herbal"; Dr. Culpeper; 1998
