THE POWER OF ELDERBERRIES

Clearly elderberry is a powerful plant! Elderberries are a low-calorie food packed with antioxidants. They are one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. Traditionally, Native Americans used it to treat infections, while the ancient Egyptians used it to improve their complexions and heal burns. Today, it’s still gathered and used in folk medicine across many parts of Europe. Elderberry is most often taken as a supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms. Studies have shown that it can decrease the severity and length of symptoms.

Elderberry refers to several different varieties of the Sambucus tree, which is a flowering plant. The most common type is Sambucus nigra, also known as the European elderberry or black elder. This tree is native to Europe, though it is widely grown in many other parts of the world as well.

There are many other reported benefits of elderberry, though most of these have limited scientific evidence:

• Helps fight cancer: Both European and American elder have been found to have
  some cancer-inhibiting properties in test-tube studies.
• Fights harmful bacteria: Elderberry has been found to inhibit the growth of
  bacteria like Helicobacter pylori and may improve symptoms of sinusitis and
  bronchitis.
• May support the immune system: In rats, elderberry polyphenols were found to
  support immune defense by increasing the number of white blood cells.
• Could protect against UV radiation: A skin product containing elderberry extract
  was found to have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 9.88.
• May increase urination: Elderberry flowers were found to increase the frequency
  of urination and amount of salt excretion in rats.
• May have some antidepressant properties: One study found mice fed 544 mg of
  elderberry extract per pound (1,200 mg per kg) had improved performance and
  mood markers.

At this point, you are probably thinking, where can I get some of this?!  Commercial preparations of elderberry for the treatment of colds come in various forms,
including liquids, capsules, lozenges and gummies. However, they can be expensive and the quality of ingredients can be questionable.

The homemade elderberry syrup recipe below is easy to make and can be made
significantly cheaper than buying most of the prepared products. The dried elderberries can be purchased on Amazon prime.  The raw honey sweetens the syrup so kids will take it easily, but also has its own medicinal benefits. Win-win!