History And Anecdotal Evidence
Elderberries have been found in Egyptian tombs and ancient medical texts, documenting the use of elderberry to treat sinus infections over several centuries, including in:
- Ancient Greece The first recorded mention of elderberry as a treatment for sinusitis was in the writings of the Greek physician Dioscorides, who described it as an anti-inflammatory and decongestant. Hippocrates referred to elderberry as a medicine chest due to its ability to treat a wide range of ailments.1
- 18th century England Elderberry was used to treat a variety of ailments, including sinus infections. British researcher John Evelyn stated, If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark, and berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our countryman could ail for which he might not fetch a remedy , either for sickness or wounds.2
- 19th century Europe It was recommended that patients with a fever drink tea made from elderberries before bed to manage respiratory symptoms.
The plant has a long history of use in traditional medicine and can be found across countries and continentsincluding North America, with increasing prominence.
Boosts Immune System Response
Another effect that elderberry can have on the body is increasing the ability of the immune system to respond to cold and flu viruses. It can have this effect because it encourages the cells to produce more immune system messenger chemicals called cytokines. The increase in these chemicals helps the immune system fight viruses in 2 ways: They provide the immune system with faster notification of the infection, allowing it to attack the virus earlier. Also, the greater number of cytokines produced gives the immune system a better idea of where in the body the virus is. This allows the body to focus its disease-fighting resources more effectively.
How Poisonous Is Elderberry
The American Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L. … The seeds, stems, leaves and roots of the Black Elder are all poisonous to humans. They contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside. Eating a sufficient quantity of these cyanide-inducing glycosides can cause a toxic buildup of cyanide in the body and make you quite ill.
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Help Manage Your Cats Condition
Although there are several home remedies for cat asthma, medication is still the most important part of your cats asthma treatment. These natural remedies should be used to help manage your cats condition but should not be used as standalone treatment.
If you are concerned with side effects of medication, talk to your vet about using inhaled medications in conjunction with the AeroKat* Chamber to keep your cat safe.
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Does Elderberry Syrup Help Allergies
Ease Allergies.Since allergies involve an overreaction of the immune system as well as inflammation, elderberrys ability to improve the immune system and calm inflammation can help provide allergy relief.
Is Elderberry An Antihistamine? Elderberries are full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Also, elderberries are a natural antihistamine, which helps you to perspire and stay hot when you have fever or flu.
What Does Elderberry Syrup Treat? Elderberry suggested uses include for treatment and prevention of the common cold, cough and flu symptoms, sinusitis, as an immunostimulant, and treating mouth ulcers and tonsillitis. Suggested uses for elderberry extract include reducing the damaging effects of LDL cholesterol, and protection as an antioxidant.
Does Elderberry Syrup Help With Inflammation? Elderberries contain natural substances called flavonoids. They seem to help reduce swelling, fight inflammation, and boost the immune system. Limited studies have found that elderberry eases flu symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, cough, and body aches.
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Top 10 Allergy Remedies #9 Prevention
This list may seem all too obvious but sometimes it is the simplest solutions that we often overlook.
What To Look For
Elderberry-based medications are classified as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration . Under this classification, they are not meant to be sold or marketed as a treatment for any medical condition. Because supplements are not required to undergo rigorous research or testing, they can vary significantly in quality.
To ensure quality and safety, only buy supplements that have been certified by an independent certifying body, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia , NSF International, or ConsumerLab.
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Elderberry Benefits For Colds Flus Allergies And More
Looking for a natural remedy that has a long history of medicinal use? Theres evidence that the elderberry plant may have been cultivated by prehistoric man. There are also recipes for elderberry-based medications dating back to Ancient Egypt.
However, most historians typically trace its healing abilities back to Hippocrates, the ancient Greek known as the Father of Medicine, who described the plant as his medicine chest because of the wide array of health concerns it seemed to treat. Whether were talking cavemen, ancient Egyptians or ancient Greeks, this remedy definitely goes way back, which is why its no wonder its known as one of the top antiviral herbs on the planet.
Health benefits of the elder plant include naturally improving:
- sinus issues
- constipation
- even cancer
Research published in the Journal of International Medical Research suggests that when its used within the first 48 hours of onset of symptoms, the plant may even help relieve and shorten the duration of cold and flu. For this reason, the government actually employed the use of elderberry to fight the flu during the 1995 Panama flu epidemic.
Does it really work? What exactly does it do, and how can you use it to promote better health?
Heres what you need to know, including its many benefits.
Fight The Flu Naturally With Elderberry Syrup
Eight years ago, there was a shortage of Flu shots and Tamiflu. Because of the shortage, there was a medical doctor recommending Elderberry Syrup for prevention of the flu on every national television network. Of course, my first reaction was skepticism. The flu is a powerful sickness that hits us all with force: could a natural remedy really be a good solution in preventing this nasty ailment? Although I was skeptical, I really did not want to get the flu, so I figured that it couldnt hurt to try the Elderberry syrup to fight the flu.
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One Of The Most Potent Remedies For Allergies Is Elderberry Syrup Learn More About How You Can Use Elderberry Syrup For Allergies In This Article
Believed to be a powerful immune-boosting elixir- elderberry syrup is an alternate, cost-effective natural remedy to treat various allergies. It is made from the dark purple berries plucked from the European elder tree. There are active agents in the berries that fight against viruses, inflammation, and other allergies.Even as the berries are medicinal, eating them raw or consuming the bark and leaves of the tree can cause stomach problems. The tart berries are better when cooked for consumption. The safest option is to buy dried elderberries from a store or market. Here is the complete guide of the benefits of elderberry syrup and its recipe.
Elderberry syrup is a natural medicine that improves your immunity system and thus protects you from various allergies. The high concentration of antioxidants and the anti-inflammatory properties of the berries make the syrup an ideal for the treatment of allergies. In case of allergies, you should consume a tablespoon of elderberry syrup mixed in water every day, two times a day.
Elderberry syrup also treats allergies better than extracts of blueberries, cranberries, goji berries, and blackberries as elderberry have a higher ratio of flavanoid. Since allergies involve an overreaction of the immune system elderberry syrup helps treat it and keeps immunity strong.
How Are Allergies And The Immune System Connected
When your body overreacts to pollen or mold, you experience allergies. You may feel like you have a cold since your immune system is responding to the allergen in the same way it might a virus.
That is why elderberries are thought to benefit allergies. They improve your immune system, making it easier for it to combat allergies and sickness. While it has been proven elderberry extracts fight the flu, there need to be more studies conducted on how it interacts with allergens.
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Enjoyseveral Elderberry Supplement Benefits
Sometimes, good things do come in small packages. That’s the case with elderberry, as these tiny purple berries are rich in nutrients your body needs, says the American Nutrition Association. For starters, elderberries contain vitamins A, B6 and C. These appealing little berries also include minerals such as folic acid, potassium, manganese, beta carotene and iron.
Elderberry is also a fiber superstar, as you can meet over 40 percent of your daily fiber requirements by eating this unassuming little fruit. Increased fiber consumption has been shown to improve your gastrointestinal system function. This positive development leads to better overall health.
Beneficial elderberries are also packed with flavonoids, which function as antioxidants that protect your body’s healthy cells from damage by free radicals. Compared to other types of berries, elderberry is the clear winner. These powerful little berries have a higher flavonol content than blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and goji berries. You can receive these benefits from taking an elderberry supplement.
If you’re concerned about skin health, elderberries’ substantial vitamin A content can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. Elderberries’ flower extracts can help to soothe your skin after sunburns and rashes. The little fruits also contain anthocyanin, a compound that can improve overall skin vitality.
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The Proper Way To Use Elderberries When Youre Sick
Elderberries are an effective treatment for sinus infections, but only if you treat them the right way first. For the best results, follow these guidelines when purchasing, preparing, and consuming elderberry or related supplements.
Your elderberries should be:
- Stored cold while youre waiting to use them.
- Ripe when it comes time to use them.
- Cooked, as raw berries contain trace amounts of cyanogenic glycosides. When chewed raw, they can release cyanide into the body, which can cause nausea and vomiting.
- Dried, which is a safe alternative to cooking them.
- Lab-tested if youre consuming an elderberry supplement.
- Consumed in moderation, as overconsumption can lead to headaches or stomach and digestive issues.
Unless youve done significant research, its best to avoid other parts of the elder plant. The flowers, bark, buds, leaves, and roots contain higher levels of cyanogenic glycoside, along with a bitter alkaloid.8
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Substitutions For Elderberry Syrup
- Since this recipe contains honey and it is not recommended for babies, you could substitute it with maple syrup, or just leave it out.
- Apple cider vinegar is a strong flavor that many kids may not enjoy. You can also leave this out.
- Sometimes I just use water and elderberries and leave out the other ingredients, making a more concentrated elderberry juice instead of syrup. It still has awesome immune-boosting properties.
Buying Guide For Best Elderberry Gummies
Although there is no cure for the common cold and many of us self-quarantine when we discover that our work neighbour in the next cubicle has the flu, there is relief. For instance, taking elderberry gummies can cut your flu downtime in half. Instead of being miserable for a week or more, you could be feeling yourself again in just a few days.
But there is a great deal to learn about elderberry gummies before deciding which product is best for you. Some are tart, while others contain added sweeteners. Some manufacturers may offer just the elderberry extract in their gummies, while others add additional ingredients that can enhance effectiveness.
Our guide has everything you need to know including the benefits, the risks, and some fun facts about elderberry gummies.
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Elderberries were listed in the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs as early as 1985, and are listed in the 2000 Mosbys Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever.
Elderberry is a European folk remedy typically used for supporting health during bouts of the cold and flu. However, there is evidence that the active ingredients in elderberry also support the sinuses by discouraging swelling of the mucous membranes. This benefit makes elderberry an excellent tool for supporting health while combating seasonal allergy symptoms. It naturally protects defenses by keeping bacteria in check, and it has also been used to deter sinusitis and nasal congestion.
What Other Drugs Interact With Elderberry
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.
- Elderberry has no known severe, serious, or moderate interactions with other drugs.
- Elderberry has mild interactions with at least 28 different drugs.
This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.
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Health Risks And Side Effects
While elderberry has some promising potential benefits, there are also some dangers associated with its consumption.
The bark, unripe berries, and seeds contain small amounts of substances known as lectins, which can cause stomach problems if too much is eaten .
In addition, the elderberry plant contains substances called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide in some circumstances. This is a toxin also found in apricot seeds and almonds .
There are 3 mg of cyanide per 100 grams of fresh berries and 3â17 mg per 100 grams of fresh leaves. This is just 3% of the estimated fatal dose for a 130-pound person .
However, commercial preparations and cooked berries do not contain cyanide, so there are no reports of fatalities from eating these. Symptoms of eating uncooked berries, leaves, bark, or roots of the elderberry include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea .
There is one report of eight people falling ill after drinking the juice from freshly picked berries, including the leaves and branches, from the S. mexicana elder variety. They experienced nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, numbness, and stupor .
Luckily, toxic substances found in the berries can be safely removed by cooking. However, the branches, bark, or leaves should not be used in cooking or juicing .
Allergies And The Immune System
It may be possible to alleviate allergies by strengthening your immune system. Lets explore how your hay fever and immunity are intertwined.
When your immune system sees an allergen, like pollen, as a foreign threat, it creates an immune response to deal with the invader. For most, this may trigger a runny nose, itchy eyes and even hives. The longer the exposure to the allergen, the longer the symptoms may last. By strengthening your immune system daily your body is able to protect itself from these outside agents. Learn more about arming your immunity here.
A variety of foods may help manage allergies and support a healthy immune system. The elderberry is a highly nutritious fruit with many benefits that may provide powerful immune support.* Elderberries can’t be eaten raw like blueberries or raspberries instead, they need to be processed to be consumed. Elderberries are loaded in essential vitamins A, C, E and more!
Vitamin A often works as an antioxidant, fighting cell damage, and it also has many other uses from supporting bone density to supporting proper functioning of eyes and skin health. Given its beneficial properties, vitamin E has long held assistance as an immunity enhancer by protecting cells from free radical damage.
Vitamin C is one of the most important water-soluble vitamins and essential to our bodies for enhanced antibody production fighting off those pesky allergens.
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The 411 On Elderberry
With the intense cold and flu season this year, and seasonal allergies beginning their own busy season, everyone is looking for the right combination to avoid symptoms. While flu vaccines help you avoid the flu, there is no vaccine for the common cold, and other sinus symptoms. Blogs and news articles tout Elderberry as a miracle solution, but does the truth live up to the hype?
Elderberries have long been used to support and improve the immune system by various cultures and traditions. It is used at the early stages of seasonal immune challenges in order to fight the disorder and boost the immune system. It has also been used by many tribes a tonic medicine and food to promote health and vitality. Black elderberries are unique in the sense that it provides both antioxidant and immune support due to the natural concentration of anthocyanins and other flavonoids in it. It has a rich history in herbal medicine and research shows that elderberry syrup prevents cold and flu by inhibiting viral replication which fights the flu or cold when taken.
Elderberries help to fight allergies which are often confused with common cold. The reason they are so effective against allergies is the production of inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines produced have a specific effect on interactions and communication between cells which regulate the immune response. Elderberry increases the production of cytokines in the body, thereby activating a health immune system.
