Elderberries and goji berries are used in herbal applications to treat a variety of ailments. Which herb you take depends on the condition you’re trying to treat and how sensitive you may be to the side effects of the berries. When given an option, you may want to stick with goji berry juices and supplements because elderberries carry far riskier side effects and can lead to more serious complications. Before taking any herbal applications, however, you should consult your doctor to prevent interactions with other medications you may be taking and to avoid additional complications.
Goji
Goji has a variety of other names ranging from lycium and wolfberry to tea tree and bastard jasmine. Goji is a red berry that grows on the Lycium barbarum tree, which originated in China. Goji berries have long been used in traditional medicine to treat nose bleeds, aches and pains, inflammation and skin irritations. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, while more studies are needed to verify efficacy, goji berries may be useful for treating certain types of cancer. In a 2009 study by H. Amagase et al. and reported by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, healthy adults given goji juice had increased immunological responses and reported feeling better in general than before they took the supplements.
Elderberry
Elderberry is a dark purple berry that comes from a tree called the European elder. Elderberries and the flowers of the European elder tree have long been used in Europe and parts of Africa and Asia to treat skin irritations, swelling, pain, coughs and infections. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, elderberry may be useful for treating sinus infections when it’s used in concert with antibiotics. It may help mitigate side effects of the flu, but continuing studies are needed to support the initial evidence.
Dosing
Goji berries typically are added to juice for herbal applications, although you can find herbal capsules made from the lycium berries. Elderberry also comes in juice form and is available as a tincture as well as lozenge and capsule forms. Pregnant women and children should not use elderberry in any form, and a doctor should be consulted before using goji berries because of the unknown levels of appropriate dosing. The recommendations for an effective amount of either berry vary widely. It’s best to follow instructions on the product you purchase after consulting your doctor.
Side Effects
Goji berries can be eaten with no side effects. Raw elderberry however is toxic, with poisonous properties similar to cyanide. The most noted side effects of goji berry have occurred in patients taking the blood thinner warfarin, causing blood levels to exceed preferred levels. Elderberry on the other hand can lead to numerous negative side effects. Since the berry acts as a diuretic, it can interact with other diuretics you may be taking. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, elderberry stimulates the immune system and should not be taken with corticosteroids or autoimmune disease medications. While goji berries may be helpful for cancer treatment, elderberry may interact with various chemotherapy drugs.
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