Elderberry Extract

Species Name: Sambucus Nigra

Also Known As: Elder, North American Elderberry, Black Elderberry, Sambucus.

What Is Elderberry Extract? Elderberry extract comes from the Elderberry plant, a plant that is native to multiple countries and continents.

Found in both the northern and southern hemisphere, the plant is cultivated in Australia, South America, Europe, and North America.

Home Remedies Using Elderberry Extract:

Benefits and Uses of Elderberry Extract:

Before speaking on the benefits of Elderberry extract, we must look to the mode of ingestion. While elderberry is used in multiple wines, jams, and syrups, those looking for health benefits should stick with the extract.

The various processes used to get the elderberry into these venues are generally believed to be detrimental to the health benefits.

Elderberry extract is looked to by many as a way to boost the immune system.

This belief is supported through the various vitamins and minerals that are found in the actual elderberry plant itself:

  • Vitamins A, B, and C
  • Tannins
  • Amino acids
  • Carotenoids
  • Glavonoids
  • Viburnic acid

While some will take elderberry extract as a way to fight a variety of issues, most focus on the plant’s ability to shorten the length of the flu.

This is one of the herbal remedies that is actually starting to be supported by medicine: recent studies have shown that elderberry extract appears to reduce the length of flu-like symptoms.

Scientists found that the extract of the elderberry showed strong evidence of fighting the flu when compared to the placebo group. Around 90 percent of the participants taking the extract were symptom free after only a few days.

It is important to note that the specific mode of ingestion for the study was an elderberry extract. The researchers note that the tests supported the use of the extract, and did not support the use of any other method of ingesting the elderberry.

Elderberry extract may help with the following conditions:

  • Bacterial sinusitis
  • Bronchitis
  • High cholesterol

Side Effects of Elderberry Extract:

The side effects of elderberry extracts are limited at best. There have been no studies to show any adverse side effects of the berries or the extracts that come from the berries.

With that being said, some caution should be taken when working with elderberries. The plant can be toxic, especially the parts of the plant other than the berries.

Only professional extracts should be trusted, as these extracts are tested and are sure to be safe for ingestion.