Elderberry Benefits

Elderberries have been used for centuries in North America, Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa for the medicinal benefits. Elderberry is used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, to improve vision, to boost the immune system, to improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis.

Nurtrients on Elderberry

Bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell. They are also mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic.

Elderberries contain organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitaman A and B and a large amount of vitamin C.

Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. These flavonoids include anthocyanins that are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage.

Research on Elderberry

Elderberries were listed in the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs and Mosby's Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever.

In Israel, Hasassah's Oncology Lab has determined that elderberry stimulates the body's immune system and they are treating cancer and AIDS patients with it.

At the Bundesforschungsanstalt research center for food in Karlsruhe, Germany, scientists conducting studies on Elderberry showed that elderberry anthocyanins enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines. These unique proteins act as messengers in the immune system to help regulate immune response and possess more antioxidant capacity than either vitamin E or vitamin C.

Studies at Austria's University of Graz found that elderberry extract reduces oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.