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Health benefits of ElderBerries
The Elderberry is one of the most diverse types of fruit-bearing shrubs in North America. The Indians and American settlers, considered it as the medicine cabinet of health. In Oklahoma, people would poke the centers of elder stems to make tubes for a whistle, and toy elderberry popguns. The Ojibwa or Chippewa Indians have even given it a name for this amazing plant meaning popgun wood.
The elderberry plant has yellow and white blossoms but do not start to appear until June or July when the days are longer. After flowering, they begin to develop little berries that are deep purple or black. They are filled with antioxidants and have the color of crimson juice when they ripen. Elderberries usually ripen around the months of August or September.
Elderberries are only edible when they are cooked. They can be used in pies, muffins, pancakes, teas and a mass variety of other pastries and recipes. If you decide to use them for jellies or jams, make sure to use a lot of vinegar, pectin or plenty of sugar to them as they are very sour.
The existence of elderberries goes as far back as to the ancient Egyptians. It was discovered that applying elderberry flowers to burn victims improved the healing process and recovery time. All parts of the elderberry have maintained a strong reputation for themselves. However, the only parts recommended for human ingestion are the berries and flowers.
Elderberries contain a lot of vitamin C which is good in fighting disease and strengthening the immune system. Nobody knows for sure how long elderberries have been around or used for medicinal purposes. Besides burns, they have been known to treat illnesses like arthritis, asthma, colds and constipation.
Elderberry is becoming a more functional ingredient in food, especially in European countries because of its rich flavour and increasing health benefits.
One of the world's largest Elderberry producing country is Austria. Their food manufacturers use different varieties of elderberries in juices, jams, yogurts and delicious wines. They even go as far as to use elderberry extract in their nutraceutical field.
Research has found that elderberries are concentrated with sources of potent purple pigments that appear to benefit health in several ways. Research is ongoing to find out exactly what the pigments purpose is.
In Germany’s research center for food, scientists conducted numerous in-depth studies on dietary chemicals that can reduce oxidation and protect cells. They have found that the chemicals found in elderberries have more antioxidant power than both vitamin E and vitamin C.
Elderberries also enhance the immune systems disease fighting capability by increasing the production of proteins acting as protectors in the immune system to help stabilize immune system response.
Elderberry extract has also showed to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. This is good as it can reduce a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Other medicinal uses of the extract include anti-viral production to battle against influenza A and B.
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