What are elderberries?
Sambucus nigra is the scientific name for elder or elderberry. When looking for elderberry based products, you'll usually see some form of the word Sambucus. While the whole elder tree has historical medicinal uses, most herbalists now tend to only use the berries and the flowers. This post focuses just on the berries. The flowers have their own specific medicinal applications, which I talk about HERE.
Elderberries are a common winter herbal medicine. Most people rather enjoy them because they are pretty tasty, especially compared to some other herbs. But there's so much more than the taste of elderberries that make them a favorite go-to remedy.
A syrup is the most popular way to use elderberries. Not only are you getting the benefits of elderberries but typically herbalists add other ingredients that take the syrup to the next level of healing.
One of the magical aspects of elderberries is its versatility. Meaning elderberry syrup can be used as a tonic, a preventative, or as a remedy during a sickness.
"This plant of God heals anything it touches!" - Hippocrates
What makes elderberries so amazing?
One reason elderberries make a great tonic (meaning for everyday use) is they pack a nutritional punch. The high amounts of vitamin C make them very useful before, during, or after an illness. Elderberries also contain potassium compounds, vitamins B, especially B17, C, and E, minerals, quercetin, antioxidants, shikimic acid, pectin, 16 amino acids - 9 of which are essential.
Elderberries are anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, and anti-tumor.
Quercetin and shikimic acid have been in the spotlight the last few years. Both are anti-viral. Shikimic acid is used in making the popular med Tamiflu. However, a study was done showing that taking both quercetin and shikimic acid did better at fighting the flu than Tamiflu.
p.s. You can also find shikimic acid in star anise, another ingredient in my Elderberry Syrup Kits.
Do elderberries trigger a cytokine storm?
The short answer is no. Herbs work WITH the body. Elderberries have shown to stimulate the immune response as well as help the body suppress the immune response, depending on what that particular body needed.
For more information on this, David Christopher, director of The School of Natural Healing, wrote a great article with PubMed references included. You can see it HERE.
What is Elderberry Syrup?
To make a syrup, the berries are simmered and strained. Then a sugar is added - raw honey is best. You can add an alcohol to preserve it longer but I recommend just keeping it in the refrigerator and using it.
My Elderberry Syrup Kits have some other ingredients: ginger, cinnamon, and star anise.
Ginger is great for digestion, nausea, the flu, and boosting the immune system. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It also contains antioxidants.
Cinnamon also contains antioxidants and is good for blood sugar. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-microbial.
Star Anise is anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal. It acts as an expectorant and is great for the flu. Star Anise contains vitamin C, calcium, iron, and shikimic acid.
Using raw honey in the recipe adds more antioxidants. Raw honey also helps with seasonal allergies and boosts the immune system.
When to use Elderberry Syrup?
I like to use this herbal remedy before being in a group of people. It helps give my immune system a pick-me-up and fight off anything shared in a group.
If I feel something coming on, if my body is feeling run down, this is a good time to start up elderberry syrup. Whether my immune system has taken a hit and needs help or maybe my body is fighting something off already, elderberry can help my body increase its fight.
I am in the throes of a sickness. During this time, I will amp up my use. More doses during the day, quite often if I feel it's needed. Every hour even.
Let elderberries be an ally for you and your body. It's an easy, delicious herbal remedy you can make in your kitchen and have in your herbal toolbox.
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