Five Benefits Of Elderberries

The elderberry is considered one of the world’s most healing plants. In fact, Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” famously called the elderberry shrub his “medicine chest.”  With a reputation for treating many ailments, here are 5 ways you can gain from this renown plant:

Fight off a cold or flu. 

Perhaps its most famous benefit, studies have shown elderberry helps decrease the duration and severity of cold and flu viruses.  The compounds in elderberry deactivate viruses, preventing them from acting on healthy cells.

Ease sinus infection & allergy symptoms. 

Elderberry’s anti-inflammatory action can reduce the effects of hay fever and infections such as sneezing, sinus pressure, and a runny or stuffy nose.  The flowers of the elderberry shrub are also helpful as they have an anti-catarrhal action which helps clear congestion.

Reduce gas & constipation. 

The high fibre content of elderberries can help reduce gas and keep the digestive tract flowing, but elderberry also contains a compound called anthraquinone which stimulates the peristalsis action of the intestinal muscles, helping ease constipation.

UTI treatment. 

Elderberry is a natural diuretic so it increases urination and causes the kidneys to continually flush out toxins.  This can help the body flush out cystitiis-causing bacteria, reducing the duration of UTI’s and helping prevent the possible spread of infection to the bladder or kidneys.

Immune Booster

The flavonoids in elderberry, especially those responsible for its purple color, enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines.  These immune system messengers enhance the immune response and therefore help defend the body against disease.

If you’re looking for a natural remedy with a long history of safe and effective use, look no further than elderberry.