If you are looking for a way to help your body, skin, and internal organs become
healthier and live longer, you should consider herbs and fruits like elderberry.
In addition to other health benefits, there is evidence that elderberry is one of several common
herbal/botanical agents that may help protect against viruses that can cause colds and flu.
Elderberry can be used as a whole, where every part of the elder plant is used, including the
berries, leaves, and flowers. You can also get natural remedies from the reddish-purple
berries themselves. Be careful about overdoing it, as parts of the elderberry plant can be toxic
and even cause pancreatitis over prolonged higher dose use. Other parts are safe to eat.
Elderberry syrup is the most popular form of elderberry for natural treatments, but it is
definitely not the only way to get these berries. You can also get fresh and dried forms,
powder liquid, and even lozenges and chewable supplements.
The following information guides you through the 9 main health benefit claims for elderberry,
from boosting your immune system and helping with your digestive system, to treating
allergies and improving your blood sugar levels. Modern research supports some of these claims…
Keep reading to learn about these 9 health benefits:
- Diuretic
- Lower blood pressure
- Help with cold and flu symptoms
- Get antioxidants
- Improve your digestion
- Get glowing skin
- Increase your cardiovascular health
- Reduce allergy symptoms
- Support bone health
1. It Works as a Diuretic
Elderberry is a wonderful fruit to use when you need help with your digestive system.
Many people find that they need to take an over-the-counter diuretic to help move things
along, but if you can get a natural diuretic from your food, wouldn’t you be more willing
to go that route?
Elderberry is often used as a diuretic, either with the fruit, a supplement, or even the
popular elderberry syrup. Keep in mind that you do not eat these berries like you would
other berries, but they can easily be used to flavor your food if you prefer that over
taking the medicinal syrup often found in natural health food stores.
It is often easier for people to take the elderberry syrup, as opposed to conventional medicinal diuretics.
By using elderberry on a regular basis, you can promote good digestive health and have
a diuretic that isn’t as harsh on your body as many of the over-the-counter alternatives
out there. Give this a try if you are having trouble with your digestive system.
Ways to Use Elderberry
If you are interested in consuming elderberry, as opposed to trying out the supplement
or topical applications, then the following list will be very useful for you. Keep in mind it
is not a complete list – there are many different ways to use these berries.
- Make your own elderberry syrup
- Try making a homemade elderberry jelly to put on toast or muffins
- Create fruity baked goods with elderberry and other berries
- Add some elderberries to juice or smoothies for a sweet and nutritious kick
- Make an elderberry tart
2. You May be Able to Lower Your Blood Sugar
Elderberries are also amazing for lowering your blood sugar. This is what is going to be
beneficial at helping to prevent or treat diabetes. There have been many research
studies performed on the effects of certain foods and herbs on the blood sugar levels,
looking at what does or does not reduce insulin resistance to glucose.
The most recent study was published in the Journal of Nutrition, which found that
elderberry can lower the blood sugar levels in your body by stimulating glucose
metabolism.
While type 1 diabetes is often autoimmune, type 2 diabetes can happen at any time in your
life. Many people think it is only for people who consume high amounts of sugar or who
are overweight, but that is not the case.
Anyone can get type 2 diabetes, whether you are considered high risk or not. The best thing
you can do is lower your blood sugar, which is why fruits like elderberry are so amazing.
It can also help treat the diabetes you already have by naturally helping to lower your
current blood sugar levels. With the right diet, you might even be able to get rid of your
diabetes altogether, but you will need to talk to a doctor about that.
3. It Helps with Cold and Flu Symptoms
Do you want help with your cold and flu symptoms? If so, you can give elderberry a try.
There are many natural remedies for illnesses like the common cold, chest cold, and flu,
including garlic, various herbs, turmeric, and yes – elderberry. When you are trying to
get help for cold and flu symptoms, that handy medicinal elderberry syrup is to the rescue.
Research has shown that elderberry syrup works wonders for various symptoms related
to these illnesses, including congestion and headaches from both the cold and flu,
inflammation, and digestive issues as the result of the influenza (flu).
One study showed that elderberry extract could shorten the duration and severity of a cold in
people who were traveling by airplane between continents. Other research has revealed similar effects of
elderberry against influenza viruses.
You can try a little elderberry syrup alternating with traditional cold medicine, or try just the elderberry
with other natural remedies for a day or two to see if you notice any changes.
No one knows yet if elderberry might help reduce symptoms of COVID-19 infections, but because of its
benefits in other types of viral infections, it may be worth trying.
As always, consult your doctor before trying any natural remedies. With a flu, if you
have a high fever or dehydration, get medical attention right away.
Claim Your Free Copy of Our Guide with “25 Tips on Home Remedies for Chest Colds & Flu” here…
4. Elderberry is Loaded with Antioxidants
Everyone wants more antioxidants in their body, and now is the time to get them.
Elderberry, like many other fruits and herbs, provides an exceptional amount of
antioxidants.
Antioxidants work to keep you from getting illnesses and fight off infections
since they protect your cells from free radicals. These free radicals can do a lot of
damage to your body, lowering your immune system, and making you susceptible to
illness.
Elderberry also delivers vitamin C, which is another great way to support your immunity and
keep you from getting illnesses and chronic diseases.
Elderberry has about the same amount of antioxidants as other berries, including goji berries, blackberries,
and blueberries, also with a high amount of flavonoids. Additional immune-strengthening
compounds also exist in elderberry, which is another great bonus.
If you want to use the berries alone, try adding them to a cup of hot tea for added flavor,
or using them to flavor a fruit smoothie along with other immune-boosting fruits and
veggies. Be careful not to overdue the actual berries – too much can be toxic.
If you want to try a smoothie, elderberry is great with the following ingredients
for antioxidants and to boost your immunity:
Blueberries and blackberries
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Oranges or grapefruit
Cherries
Get creative when making your fruit smoothies to help boost immune function and get all
those antioxidants.
5. It Improves Your Digestion
This is a big benefit and one of the main reasons people will use elderberry, aside from
helping with immunity and using as a natural treatment for the cold and flu. So many
people have digestive problems, and even though they try elimination diets and allergy
tests, can never really figure out what the issue is. In some people, it is not getting
enough fiber, while others just have an overly sensitive stomach.
Regardless of the reason for your digestive problems, elderberry can help a lot. This
handy little fruit (or syrup) provides a decent amount of dietary fiber, which is going to
help tremendously with your digestive problems.
This includes helping to relieve your gas, get your bowels moving in the morning, getting rid of chronic
constipation and diarrhea, and improving your digestive and gastrointestinal system as a whole.
Don’t forget that when you get more fiber into your diet, it doesn’t just help with your
digestive system, but it can also help with general gut health.
If you don’t like the taste of elderberries, you can always get gummies, which are soft to
chew and don’t require swallowing pills either.
6. Boost Your Cardiovascular Health
Elderberry have also been effective at helping with cardiovascular health. This is related
to your heart, which is how it can help reduce your risk for heart disease and other
cardiovascular conditions. It is essential that you take your cardiovascular health very
seriously, or detrimental consequences could follow.
Like many other fruits and vegetables, elderberries are great for your heart health. The
fiber and other nutrients in the elderberry can help reduce your blood pressure and help
with your cholesterol levels. It helps to promote the good cholesterol, while reducing the
bad cholesterol.
Elderberry is also effective at protecting your arteries and blood
vessels, both of which can lead to heart disease. It is the potassium in elderberry that
may help reduce your blood pressure.
Wondering how you can use elderberry for your cardiovascular health? Just look at all
these different forms this bright purple fruit comes in:
Fresh berries
Dried berries
Elderberry syrup
Capsules and supplements
Elderberry tablets
Pure elderberry liquid
There are a lot of options available for using elderberry more often and getting all these
heart-healthy benefits from it.
7. Promotes Healthy Skin
Who doesn’t want to have healthier skin? Elderberry works similar to many other fruits
and herbs, where it can really improve your skin rejuvenation and give you a more
youthful, glowing complexion. Some people will use the actual berries from the
elderberry plant, while others use tinctures or various masks made from the berries,
flowers, and leaves of the elder plant.
Elderberry will help your skin in the following ways:
Make it softer and more supple
Give you a naturally glowing complexion without highlighters
Help with acne and blemishes when combined with other acne-fighting ingredients
You can try making your own mask or scrub with elderberry, or check out stores and
online shops with natural beauty products, and you might just find what you’re looking
for.
8. Get Help with Your Allergies
Don’t go anywhere yet – there are more health benefits to check out! Elderberry is also
great at helping with various types of allergies, including fighting off the allergens and
helping out with your allergy symptoms. Elderberry plants are often used for medicinal
and herbal remedies, and helping with allergies is definitely no exception.
The way elderberry helps with allergies has to do with how your body reacts to
inflammation. Allergens tend to increase inflammation in your body, thanks to a reaction
in your immune system.
This inflammation can lead to allergy symptoms like swelling,
redness, itching, coughing, and congestion. The elder plant and elderberries not only
boost your immune system, but it can help to reduce the inflammation as well.
There are some different ways to use elderberry for allergies, from creating a topical
product with elderberry and other herbs, to taking a supplement of elderberry.
9. It Improves Your Bone Health
The last health benefit you should know about with elderberry is that it can improve your
bone health. This is thanks to various natural properties of this plant, including the anti-
inflammatory properties and the antioxidants.
As you know from the previous section about allergies, elderberries are great at reducing inflammation in the body. This not only helps with allergy symptoms, but can help with your joints and bones as well.
It is particularly useful for people who have osteoporosis at an older age, as that often
accompanies arthritis at the same time.
Now that you know the top health benefits of elderberry, you can get started using it.
Remember that there are a wide range of ways to use or consume elderberries. From
making a tincture or topical application to help with your skin and various bacterial
infections, to consuming it for flavor and getting all the added antioxidants.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28025494
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10613759
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23024697
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26314315
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27023596
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30670267
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21352539
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28198157
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