A closer look: Benefits of Elderberries

We know that elderberries are small, black-purple berries that belong to the Sambus tree also known as the European elderberry. They are native to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia and have become common in the US. (Sweet Jane is a member of a coop located in Iowa that we source our dried organic elderberries from.)

For centuries elderberries and parts of the elder bush have been used for medicinal purposes. Elder flowers were used for pain relief, elderberry bark was used for constipation. Native Americans used the plant to treat infections, Egyptians used the berries for their complexions and to heal burns. Hippocrates described the berry as being an entire “medicine chest” because of the wide array of health concerns it seemed to cure. The list of the benefits is very long, but in this blog we will highlight the top three benefits of elderberries.

 

High In Antioxidants

Antioxidants are natural compounds found in food, which include vitamins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Our bodies produce unstable molecules called free radicals which can cause oxidative stress in the body which can lead to sickness and disease. Antioxidants could prevent and slow the damage to cells caused by free radicals by removing these reactive molecules, therefore helping to reduce inflammation and oxidative damage.

Elderberry’s total antioxidant capacity is one of the highest  of all the small fruits.

 

High In Nutrients

Elderberries are naturally high in vitamin C, Vitamin A, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals

Elderberries are also one of the most concentrated sources of a flavonoid called anthocyanins. Anthocyanin is a type of natural plant pigment found in the berries and is known anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antioxidant properties.

Sweet Jane is made in small batches, with all organic ingredients. Our syrup is free from added sugars, preservatives and fillers- which plays a huge role in providing you with a real, nutritional syrup, and giving your body exactly what it needs. 

 

Immune Boosting Properties

One of the most common uses for elderberry is its powerful immune-boosting properties and its natural defense against colds and flu. Several studies  support the use of elderberry syrup for flu symptoms.

A 2009 study randomized patients into two groups- one group had four doses of 175mg of elderberry extract daily, the other group drank a placebo for two days. The group treated with the extract showed significant improvement in fly symptoms, while the placebo group showed no improvement.

Another study published in the Journal of International Medical Research showed that by taking elderberry extract within the fist 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, the duration of illness can be shortened by an average of four days.

The vitamins mentioned above also contribute to the immune- boosting properties of elderberries.

            Vitamin C 

   - Encourages the production of white blood cells, which help protect the body from oxidative stress.

-Helps these white blood cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules, like the free radicals.

-Helps several important cells in the immune system (T cells) perform their jobs.

          Vitamin A 

-Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining your body’s natural defenses that includes the mucous barriers in your eyes, lungs, and gut that help trap bacteria and other infectious agents.

-Involved in the production of white blood cells, which help capture and clear bacteria and other pathogens from your bloodstream.

-Helps prevent infections, and shortens the duration of sickness.

           Vitamin B6 – mood boost and brain health

-High in antioxidants therefore considered excellent brain food.

 -The brain cannot produce neurotransmitters, or happy chemicals, without the vitamin B6

-B6 helps chemical reactions in the immune system work better and guard your body against infections.

 -Studies  conducted with older adults have linked low levels of vitamin B6 with poor immune response.

 

At Sweet Jane, we are careful not to make claims beyond the research that we have done and that we have personally experienced with elderberries and our syrup. We are not medical experts but we have benefitted in many ways from using elderberries as a health supplement, and we love to hear from our customers about the way Sweet Jane is benefitting them. We encourage you to do your own research on elderberries. If you ever have any questions or would like to say hello, we would love to hear from you. Sweetjaneelderberry@gmail.com

 

xo

 

Carly

 

 

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