Elderberry for Cold, Flu, and Allergy Relief
Energetics: Drying and cooling
System affinity: respiratory, digestive, and circulatory systems
Health Benefits
Treats FLU (Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, febrifuge) Elderberry contains plant pigments called anthocyanidins that directly kill and prevent the replication of multiple strains of flu within 24 hrs. Studies on elderberry syrup showed symptoms resolve 3 days earlier than placebo.
Antioxidant Power- higher in flavonoids than blueberries, cranberries, goji berries, and blackberries. Supports healthy skin and is an excellent immune booster. *Great preventative to use every day, 10 days before travel.
Sinus Infections, Colds & Allergies (anti-allergenic -prevent & calm allergic reactions, antioxidant, expectorant) helps reduce nasal, ear, throat, and respiratory irritation and inflammation. Expels mucus. Detoxification aid.
Lower Blood Sugar (liver health)- stimulates glucose metabolism and the secretion of insulin, lowering blood sugar levels. Elderberry supports the process by which excess sugar is cleared out of the bloodstream and into muscles and liver, which helps maintain normal blood sugar.
Digestive Health - supports healthy digestion and elimination. Diuretic, mild laxative, and anti-inflammatory.
May Help Prevent Cancer- elderberry is a broad spectrum therapeutic, pharmacologic and anti-carcinogenic properties. Elderberry contains anthocyanins, flavonoids, and polyphenolics which all inhibit cancer cell formation.
Nervine- supports the nervous system, and helps calm anxiety.
Elderberries are naturally high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc and calcium.
Study: Elderberry for the treatment of the FLU Virus. Israeli researcher and world renowned Viralogist, Madeleine Mumcuoglu, PHD found that Elderberry extract disarms the enzyme which viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the lining of the nose and the throat. She found that if taken before infection, it prevents infection. If taken after infection, it prevents the spread of the virus throughout the rest of the respiratory tract and into the rest of the body. Her clinical trials found that there was:
20% significant improvement within 24 hours
70% improvement within 48 hours
90% symptom free within 3 days
In this study, those taking the placebo needed 6 days to recover. Research indicates that after a virus enters a cell in our body, it replicates quickly and within a 5-hour time period, that initial virus now numbers in the thousands. Replication takes place every 20 minutes or so. This is the reason that herbalists recommend that we take our herbal remedies every 15 minutes in the acute phase of an infection. Always take herbal remedies frequently, especially at the beginning of an ‘attack’, whether it’s a sore throat, body aches, earaches etc. Also, for the best results, always take the remedies for 2-3 days after all symptoms have cleared.
My Fresh Elderberry Syrup Recipe
For juice: 2-3lbs fresh elderberries + 1-quart pure water
For syrup: 2 parts elderberry juice + 1-part raw honey
Example: A liter is 1000ml. Take total volume of desired container with known capacity (1000ml) divided by 3 to get the measurement for 1-part honey ~33% and 2-parts juice ~ 66%.
Optional: splash brandy, vodka or ACV as preservative.
1. Place the berries and water in a non-aluminum pot.
2. Gently bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Turn down heat and steep for 45 minutes, stir occasionally.
4. Use a potato masher to gently coax as much juice from the berries as possible.
5. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a glass-measuring cup.
6. When the juice is still warm, add to storing bottle, and add the raw honey. Stir/shake well until honey is incorporated.
7. Label-elderberry syrup, date, ingredients
Additions: cinnamon, ginger root, lemon and orange peel
Plant Harvesting Protocol:
Never harvest the first or last flowers and berries
Show respect
Harvest plant parts in proper season
Gather no more than you need
Gather from different areas to avoid unsustainable harvesting
Use tools that are appropriate to plant
Ripe berries: plump, dark red juicy berries, white waxy coating
Flowers: harvest when open, fragrant, bright, pollen is present
Elderberry Precautions and Possible Interactions
Do not consume raw berries or other parts of the plants because they contain a cyanide-inducing chemical. The raw and unripe fruit, the seeds, the bark, and the leaves contain the cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin, ingestion of which may cause vomiting or severe diarrhea. It should also be noted that one would need to eat approximately 4 pounds of raw berries for this sort of result.. a couple of berries is not a concern! Occasionally, elderflowers and elderberries cause allergic reactions. Discontinue use if you have any mild allergic reactions, and seek a medical professional if you have a serious allergic reaction. Consult pediatrician before giving elderberry to children. Do not give honey to children under 1 years old. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. For autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, consult doctor because it may stimulate the immune system. People with organ transplants should not take elderberry. Elderberry has few side effects when used properly for short periods of time (up to seven days). Talk to healthcare provider if taking the following medications: Diabetes medications, diuretics (water pills), chemotherapy, immune-suppressing drugs, including corticosteroids (prednisone), and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases, laxatives, Theophylline (TheoDur)
Additional References: A Handbook of Native American Herbs (Hutchens), Studio Botanica, Herbal Academy, The Earthwise Herbal Repertory (Matthew Wood), The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism (Matthew Wood)
