The black elderberry, scientifically known as Sambucus nigra, is one of Europe's oldest medicinal plants. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat colds and fever – and today, scientific studies show that the dark berry actually possesses significant healing power. But what exactly makes the black elderberry so special?
General Information
The black elderberry is a shrub that grows up to seven meters tall and is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. From May to July, it bears white, strongly scented umbels, from which the deep black, glossy berries develop in late summer. In naturopathy, both the elderflowers (e.g., as tea) and the berries (e.g., as juice or extract) are used.
The raw berries are slightly toxic due to their content of sambunigrin, a cyanogenic glycoside, and should always be heated – afterward, they are safe and extremely healthy.
Health Benefits of Elderberry
1. Strengthening the immune system & protecting against colds: One of the most well-known effects of black elderberry is its immune-stimulating properties. A clinical study (Zakay-Rones et al., 2004) showed that elderberry extract significantly shortened the duration of influenza in adults – from an average of 6 days to just 3 to 4 days.
- Study: Zakay-Rones et al. (2004), The Journal of International Medical Research
- Result: 93% of subjects recovered faster with elderberry extract compared to the placebo group.
2. Antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects: In vitro studies have shown that elderberry extracts can inhibit the replication of influenza viruses (influenza A and B) (Krawitz et al., 2011). This is primarily due to the anthocyanins and flavonoids, which also have a positive effect on inflammatory processes in the body.
- Study: Krawitz et al. (2011), Phytochemistry
- Elderberry extract significantly inhibited various influenza viruses in cell cultures
3. Antioxidant cell protection: The dark berries boast a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value – a measure of antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants protect our cells from free radicals and thus prevent aging processes and degenerative diseases.
Fun Fact
In Germanic mythology, the elderberry was considered a sacred tree in which the goddess Holla (Frau Holle) lived. Anyone who cut down an elderberry bush was said to bring misfortune. Many farms used to deliberately plant an elderberry bush next to their house – as a protective tree.
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Disclaimer
For legal reasons, we would like to point out that some of the above statements require further research and studies to scientifically prove them. Therefore, not all statements can currently be accepted by conventional medicine.