Elderberries are a great choice due to its great health benefits. While this berry is a tasty treat, it has many healing properties you’ll want in your diet.
The elderberry plant will bloom with white flowers in late spring, to bring on small blue-black berries that grow in clusters.
This berry has a long history of medicinal uses. It’s been used to treat the flu, alleviate allergies, and improving respiratory health. It can be turned into wine, or dried and stored for tea.
Sambucus Canadensis is the local variety you’ll find along the eastern half of North America, but there are several varieties you can find worldwide. The berries grow on shrubs that from as tall as 3 metres.
Elderberries are a good source of iron, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. They’re an especially great source of dietary fibre, and vitamin C.
Elderberry Benefits: A Cure for the Common Cold AND the Flu?
As previously stated, the elderberry has been used to treat colds and the flu for hundreds of years. Now, studies have confirmed that adding elderberries to a diet greatly reduced the length and severity of colds and influenza. In fact, it significantly reduces fever, headaches, muscle aches, coughing, mucus discharge, and nasal congestion when sick.
Considering the positive affect elderberries have on nasal congestion and mucus discharge, it should be no surprise that elderberries have been found to help treat sinus infections. While this may be an effective natural method for some, antibiotics may still be necessary so you should still see your physician if you’re suffering from sinusitis.
Suffer from Allergies?
Just like its effect on colds and sinus infections, the anti-inflammatory effect elderberry has on air passageways also helps with allergy relief. In addition to the berry, elderflowers themselves have been used as a natural remedy for allergies. So, if you suffer from seasonal allergy this may be a berry/flower you want to add to your health routine.
Elderberry Benefits Blood Sugar Levels?
Elderberries also have an interesting effect on blood glucose levels. Without increasing insulin levels, elderberries increase glycogenesis (takes excess sugars in the bloodstream and transports them to the liver to be excreted).
Excretion, in general, is increased, as elderberries work as a diuretic by increasing urination. On top of this, the high fibre levels make these berries good laxatives. That being said, you’ll want to make sure you increase water intake to keep hydrated.
In short, it’s a wonder this berry isn’t more popular. Go out and pick up some amazing elderberries, or plant your own elderberry bush for easy access to this amazing health boosting berry.
