If you are reading this, you might already be on a path to a more holistic lifestyle. And if that’s the case, learning and understanding more about herbal remedies is important. Elderberry will be a great addition to your wellbeing arsenal.
In ancient Greece, Hippocrates deemed the elder tree his ‘’medicine chest.’’ And if the Father of Medicine held elderberry in high regard, who am I to argue?
The Wisdom of Plants
Elderberry belongs to the family of elder plants and trees. There are over 30 types of elder plants. Where I come from, the European species called Sambucus Nigra is widely used as a traditional natural remedy.
I like the way the word elder evokes the wisdom of elders. Because it reminds me of the elders in my family.
In our large gardens, there grew elder shrubs. They lined the garden fences providing shade for our lazy cats.
When in bloom, the tall elder shrubs sported clusters of tiny delicate white flowers. They made the impression of intricate lace clouds as they floated above the luscious green leaves. Bees buzzed over the nectar. Later, the flower clusters changed into clusters of tiny black berries.
For me, the elder shrub brings the memory of my mother and grandmother. Of our not-perfect garden, where wild things grew. Where I helped them pick the elderflowers and berries which would be made into syrups, cordial, and wine.
It’s the memory of the sweetness of slow languid August days that comes to me. Sitting outside and sipping the cordial from a large glass jug in summer.
In winter, it was sipping the syrup in a warm cozy kitchen after hours of frolicking in the snow.
Whatever the season, elderberry is a memory of, nature, family time, slowness, and stillness.
And these attributes are all important to the overall sense of wellbeing.
Your Path to a Holistic Lifestyle
What does your path to wellbeing look like?
No matter where you are in your journey, you can always freshen up your self-care.
Whether you are brand new to discovering what a holistic lifestyle entails or you have been using natural remedies for a while.
During this journey, you will find that there are a lot of healing herbs that have medicinal properties.
You’ll find herbs with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and even antiseptic properties. These properties allow herbs to help you with anxiety and stress, pain, skin conditions, gut issues, and so much more.
Then there are herbs that can help with the common cold and flu symptoms, such as elderberry.
In fact, this is often what elderberry syrup is used for.
If you are looking to learn more about elderberry, its health benefits, and the ways you can use it, you have come to the right place.
About Elderberry
Elderberries are little purplish-black berries that grow in bunches on the vine. They look quite similar to blueberries.
This plant has been a staple in holistic medicine for a long time. It has the ability to improve your immune system as well as helping reduce inflammation and joint pain.
You should note that like all natural remedies, it does not provide a cure or offer 100 percent success. By adding elderberries or elderberry syrup to your routine, you can significantly improve your health. But it should not replace medical advice from your doctor.
After all, this is true of all natural and holistic remedies.
With that being said, here are some important things to understand about elderberry.
Nutrients in Elderberries
The reason elderberries are so good for you?
In addition to their healing properties, they also contain high levels of nutrients. This means they are good for your physical health and general wellness.
Some of the nutrients you will get from elderberries include:
As well as being rich in nutrients, elderberries are also low in calories and have a lot of fiber.
Fiber aids more regular bowel function. But it also reduces blood pressure and provides cardiovascular protection. Another important function of fiber is protection against colorectal cancer.
Healing Benefits of Elderberry
Moving on to what you really want to know – how can you benefit from using elderberry?
One of the most common uses for elderberry syrup is for the cold or flu.
But it is by no means the only way you can benefit from it.
In addition to all the vitamins and minerals in elderberry, it is also loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help with a wide range of health conditions.
What’s Elderberry Good For?
Here are some of the health benefits you can get from elderberries.
Protection against the cold and flu – Elderberry is not a cure or treatment for the cold or flu, and can’t prevent it. But it can help protect your body against the severity and many of the symptoms. Taking elderberry regularly in cold and flu season can provide some comfort for you.
Help with headaches and joint pain – Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of elderberry, you can reduce pain in your muscles and joints, as well as reduce headache pain.
Relief from constipation – If you have digestive or bowel issues, especially with constipation or stomach cramps, elderberry is a great natural treatment. This is because of its many healing properties, as well as the high amount of fiber.
Protection from kidney issues – Everyone’s kidneys need a good boost every once in a while. Which you can get naturally by consuming elderberries or syrup on a regular basis.
Help with minor skin irritations – You may also find that your skin conditions get a little better because of the antioxidants in elderberries. Elderberries might reduce acne and breakouts. They can also give you a pretty skin glow, and help with certain chronic skin conditions.
Different Ways to Use Elderberry
Let’s expand a little more on elderberry as part of your holistic lifestyle routine.
Here are some different ways you can use elderberry.
Elderberry Syrup
One of the most popular forms of elderberry is syrup. This thick liquid contains elderberries and some other natural ingredients.
You can pick up the elderberry syrup at most drug stores and health food stores. It’s often advertised as a natural remedy for the cold or flu. But this syrup has many other health benefits as well.
Lozenges
Another super-easy way to get elderberries and their healing benefits are lozenges. These can coat your throat if you have a sore throat. But they also allow you to benefit from the berries, as well as other nutrients it might contain, like iron, zinc, and vitamin C.
Capsules
If you just want something you can take like regular over-the-counter medicine, you might prefer getting your elderberries in capsule form.
These are often oil capsules filled with the concentrated elderberry, and possibly some other natural ingredients mixed in.
Skincare Products
If you are looking to use elderberries for their skincare benefits, look for natural and organic skincare products.
You might find some lotions, moisturizers, and other topical products that contain elderberry in them.
Make sure you do not eat elderberries in their raw form. They may be poisonous and make you sick.
Why is Elderberry Syrup So Popular?
One thing to know for certain is that people can’t seem to stop talking about elderberry syrup!
When you find it in stores, elderberry is most often found in liquid syrup form.
While it is expensive, it can be really convenient for people who don’t want to make it themselves.
Here are some reasons the syrup is so popular.
It is Potent and Very Concentrated
Elderberry syrup is popular and often the first option when it comes to elderberry products. This is because it is extremely potent and more concentrated than most other forms of elderberry.
You’ll get more nutrients from the syrup than if you chose a lozenge, capsule, or another type of elderberry product.
It is Easy to Find and Use
Since manufacturers know how popular the syrup is, they tend to produce it more often than other elderberry products.
Therefore, it’s easier to find at drug stores and natural food stores or just your regular supermarket.
You can also find more natural versions at farmer’s markets on occasion.
Tips for Choosing Elderberry Syrup
When it comes to buying elderberry syrup, you want to make sure it is a genuine product.
You want to check the content of real elderberries, as well as the amount of artificial ingredients or sugars. The more natural and organic it is, the better it can be for you.
You always want to check the front and back of the label to get as much information as possible.
Read the ingredients carefully. Elderberry should be the main active ingredient. In addition, look at what part of the elderberry plant was actually used to make the syrup. If the label provides this information, it gives the product more credibility. Then make sure they use organic elderberries and not some kind of concentrate. All the ingredients should make sense for you.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects To Using Elderberry?
Before you go, it is really important to understand the potential cautions and side effects of using elderberry as a natural healing aide.
Don’t Eat Raw Elderberries
The first risk comes when you try to eat elderberries raw. They can be potentially poisonous when eaten in the wrong way.
You can’t eat the berries, seeds, or leaves raw, but you can eat the elderflowers raw. That is the only exception.
If you experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating an elderberry product, it was probably in the raw form. This means you may have consumed a toxic substance.
Not Everyone Should Consume Elderberries
While it is safe for most people, there are some who should be cautious against taking it.
This includes children under 18 years of age, women who are pregnant or nursing, people with sensitive immune systems, and anyone with chronic health conditions leading to breathing problems.
As with all natural remedies, it is best to talk to your doctor first.
Disclaimer:
This article was written by Zuzana Halliwell. I am not a doctor or health professional and cannot be held liable for the information written here. This article is meant to provide information about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and diet. The content is based on my own personal experience and on information provided by medical professionals that is available to the public. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Do not use it as an alternative to seeking help from a medical professional.
Great content! Keep up the good work!
Hi! Thank you for your comment. I’ll try!