Medicinal Uses of Elderberry

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), is a shrub- or bush. It has serrated leaf margins. The leaves are compound with three to nine leaflets per leaf. Fruit may not be produced the first couple of years.

The berries are small that start off as white flowers in the spring.

If you listen to some old timers elderberry is considered one most important healing plants around. While the modern medical community does acknowledge and confirm some of the claims it doesn't put the power levels anywhere close to the class of things like penicillin. How effective is it? Obviously it varies. You will ultimately have to decide. At the very worst it is like taking vitamins.

The fruit / berries as well as the flowers are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. This is not up for debate. This should, according to all parties, help with inflammation, lower stress, and even benefit your heart health via lowering cholesterol, and reducing the levels of fat in the blood.

Now onto the less agreed upon benefits. To be clear when modern day medical science doesn't endorse a natural medicinal use it does not always mean they believe there are no benefits for that use. It could mean that their research just doesn't rise to a level that is strong enough to stand behind it for that use.

Some people recommend elderberry to help lessen cold and flu symptoms or even to prevent the illness altogether.

Elderberry has also been recommended for constipation, joint pain, epilepsy, fevers, headaches, kidney issues, muscle, pain, skin irritation.

Elderberries are high in vitamin C and dietary fiber. One cup of elderberries also has:

Caution: Unripe or uncooked berries or flowers from the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The severity is directly related the amount ingested. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised against its use.

Be aware that parts of the elderberry plant are toxic to humans and some people are allergic to the berries and flowers.

Elderberry is a diuretic to everyone.