What is the Elderberry Plant?
Elderberry is a small purple berry from the black elder bush. There are about 30 types of elder plants and trees found around the world. The European version (also known as Sambucus nigra) is the one most closely tied to health and healing. Its history dates as far back as 400 BC, and Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” called the elder tree his “medicine chest.”
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Why are Elderberry Plants Good for You?
The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They can help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart.
Among the berry’s chemical components are phenolic compounds that include anthocyanosides that laboratory tests have shown to have immune-stimulating and anti-microbial properties.
Small clinical studies have shown various elderberry extracts to reduce the duration of cold and flu symptoms, but they do not prevent colds or flu.
The Proven Success of Black Elderberry
A recent meta-analysis explored the success of black elderberry as an effective supplement to treat cold and flu symptoms. This report, published in Complimentary Therapies in Medicine, examined four separate human clinical trials, with a total of 180 participants. In summary, this meta-analysis found that black elderberry can substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms.*
*Hawkins, J., Baker, C., Cherry, L., & Dunne, E. (2019). Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complementary therapies in medicine, 42, 361-365.
