The Wonders of Black Elderberry

It's little-known in America (It may have grown in the warmer regions), but throughout the rest of the world black elderberry has been and is renowned as a folk remedy for flu, colds, cough and more than 70 other ailments (for at least 2,500 years!). It's native to most of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia; Elderberry typically grows in areas that receive a lot of sunlight and can grow in BOTH wet and dry fertile areas. The benefits of elderberry can be traced back to prehistoric times; evidence of its use has been traced back to Stone Age villages in Italy and Switzerland. Recipes were also discovered showing black elderberry use in ancient Egypt. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "aeld" meaning "fire", perhaps referring to its fiery red branches that hold the berries.

Elderberries are unusually rich in antioxidants,which are thought to be necessary to support the immune system. "Antioxidants are important molecules that reduce the damage that oxygen-based free radicals can cause to cells," says Clare Wheeler, M.D., an instructor at Portland State University and an integrative medical specialist. "Antioxidants are also known to support and enhance immune function-so they play a very important role in preventing and treating infectious diseases."

"Many people have diets that are deficient in these important nutrients," she adds, " so using an antioxidant-rich elderberry extract helps the body to maintain a strong defense to fight the many types of viruses that will be trying to invade it during the winter months and beyond."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), elderberries have twice the antioxidant capacity of blueberries and significantly more than the capacity of cranberries. Elderberries also contain more vitamin C than any other fruit except rose hips and black currants.

Hippocrates wrote about the medicinal properties of elderberries in the 4th century B.C. He and other healers of the time used elderberry as an anti-flammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, and laxative agent, as well as for the treatment of dysentery, stomach ailments,scurvy, and urinary tract problems. Shakespeare mentoned them in his play "The Merry Wives of Windsor". They were viewed as so potent during the 1600s, that many people hung elderberry branches and leaves by their doors to keep away the evil spirits that were believed to cause illness. In the early 1900s, hospitals served elderberry jam because of its high vitamin and mineral content, plus ability to improve appetite and promote regular elimination. Among the Native Americans, various species of elder leaves were used to treat reheumatism and fever.

DO NOT eat RAW elderberries!(Can cause diarrhea and nausea). In their raw state, they contain hydrocyanic acid (Cyanide!) and sambucine alkaloids. They will also have a sickly smell and taste when raw. However, these harmful effects can be deactivated simply by cooking the berries. Let me stress this-ALWAYS COOK RAW ELDERBERRIES BEFORE EATING THEM. I personally believe your best bet would be to buy some from a good health store or as a commercially prepared product.

Did you know that the berries AND flowers, when COOKED, are edible? When elder flowers are used in food, they're referred to as "elder blow". The flowers can simply be added to preparations such as fruit salads, jellies, vinegars, muffins or punches. Elderberries are commonly used to make fruit soups, pies and cobblers, jams, ice cream and syrups. They add color to port wine. Elderberry wine itself can be used as a tonic (If left in contact with the air, elderberry wine slowly becomes sour and turns into vinegar!). Young elderberry shoots contain a soft, edible core that is COOKED and served like asparagus by French cooks.

The International Pharmacy of Vatican City recently ordered 200 bottles of Sambucol Black Elderberry supplement(www.sambucol.com) for the Pope! I recently acquired this same medicine; If the Pope's taking it too, now I know I'm in good hands!

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