There must be something to the fact that elderberry has been used medicinally for centuries. It’s a common ingredient in natural remedies, and the fruit contains vitamins A, B, and C, flavonoids, carotenoids, amino acids, and tannins. It has antibiotic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, and is most commonly used to ease cold and flu symptoms and shorten patients’ recovery time from while decreasing their respiratory distress.

Elderberry is often combined with other herbs (such as echinacea, St. John’s wort, soapwort, peppermint, hyssop, yarrow, and goldenrod) to relieve respiratory infections and cold sores, and reduce sinus inflammation from pollen allergies. Tea made from the berries is often used to relieve back pain, nerve disorders, and rheumatism.

Elderberry’s Effects

In helping the body combat viruses, elderberry stimulates the immune system to produce more antibodies and increase the production of blood cells, including white blood cells. It also prevents viruses from entering the cells. Besides relieving the fever caused by the common cold or the flu, elderberry acts as an expectorant, thinning mucous and aiding in its expulsion. It is also an antioxidant that protects cells from harmful free radicals and helps detoxify dangerous carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

In regard to the eyes, this herb’s nutrients make the capillaries less fragile and aid circulation. The flowers of the plant are used to treat sinusitis when the mucous membranes are inflamed, and they also help reduce fever and increase perspiration. When used in astringents, they soften and bleach the skin, refine the complexion, and treat acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The plant’s leaves are used in ointments to heal scalds, burns, swelling, cuts, bruises, skin infections, and scrapes.

An extract of black elderberry, Sambucol is generally effective in treating flu symptoms, especially when they first appear, but it’s not recommended as a preventative for the flu, or as a replacement for the flu vaccine or drugs approved by the FDA to treat that illness. It is, however, considered a safe, efficient flu remedy for people who are otherwise healthy or for those whose immune systems are compromised (such as the elderly). In contrast to other treatments, Sambucol has no known side effects or negative interactions with other treatments, nor does it cause drowsiness. To read more about Nature’s Way Sambucol, see this article.

Words of Warning

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not consume elderberry, and the plant should never be eaten uncooked, since it’s poisonous in its natural state. Prolonged use or overuse may increase the amount of urine people produce and cause them to lose potassium, and anyone taking laxatives or diuretics should use caution when taking elderberry as well.

—Arlene Connolly