Elderberry – properties and effects. When to use?

Elderberry fruits have been considered an amazing gift of nature with strong anti-inflammatory properties for many years. It turns out that elderberry extract has unique antioxidant properties, which are widely used in daily health prophylaxis and in cases of certain metabolic disorders. Learn more about how elderberry works and what properties it has for our body, as well as when it is worth using it.

What does the elderflower look like and what is it?

Elderberry is a naturally growing plant that belongs to the Adoxaceae family. Elderberry is also called wild elder or medicinal elder. This plant grows very often in Poland and can be classified as our native superfood, i.e., an ingredient with high nutritional and health potential. Elderberry commonly grows in areas that do not exceed 900 m.n.p.m. (metres above sea level), and the elderberry bush itself is quite a tall plant. It turns out that its maximum height can reach up to 10 meters, while having elliptical leaves arranged in an odd-pinnate fashion. Elderberry leaves are dark green, while their underside is slightly lighter in colour. Elderberry fruits belong to drupes, which have up to 6 seeds. The fruits are spherical and dark purple.

Elderberry – composition, properties and effects

Elderflowers contain ingredients from which an extract rich in various biologically active compounds can be obtained. The same applies to elderberry fruits. An important piece of information is the fact that the biologically active ingredients from elderflowers and fruits have been subjected to numerous studies that confirm their health-promoting properties.

First, it is worth looking at the composition of active compounds that are responsible for the health benefits caused by elderflowers and fruits. Among the active compounds are:

• essential oils,
• sterols,
• triterpenes,
• glycosides,
• vitamins,
• minerals,
• flavonoids.

The characteristic antioxidant properties of elderberry fruits and flowers are due to flavonoids, which constitute a larger part of the active compounds contained in this plant. Some of them also give elderberry its characteristic sour and tart taste.

It is important to remember that consumption of raw elderflowers or fruits can lead to consequences in the form of many gastrointestinal symptoms. If there is a desire to consume them, they should first be subjected to appropriate heat treatment, which allows for the elimination of harmful substances on the surface of elderberry fruits or flowers.

Properties of elderberry:

• nutritious – the rich vitamin and mineral composition of elderberry makes it a product that replenishes deficiencies of individual nutrients, which positively affects the well-being felt by people suffering from deficiencies of vitamins B, A, and C, as well as magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
• alleviates inflammation – the presence of flavonoids and antioxidant vitamins contained in elderberry perfectly reduces the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which cause cell damage and increase the risk of civilization diseases.
• positively affects microflora – elderberry contains many substances with prebiotic effects. They provide nourishment for intestinal bacteria, which thanks to this multiply and positively affect the functioning of the host’s digestive tract.
• strengthens the immune system – regular consumption of elderberry in various forms helps to alleviate the symptoms of infections and promotes more effective removal of pathogens from the body.
• removes excess toxins – compounds contained in elderberry bind toxic substances and inflammatory metabolites and efficiently remove them from the body. This property translates into better liver and kidney function and overall well-being.
• expectorant effect – elderberry ingredients increase mucus production, which stimulates nerve endings to trigger the cough reflex. This property is useful for upper respiratory tract infections, which often occur in winter and spring.
• improves nervous system function – thanks to the content of B vitamins, elderberry perfectly supports the work of the nervous system and its regeneration. It also affects the efficient process of obtaining energy in the form of ATP, which also translates into maintaining clarity of mind.

Elderberry, thanks to its high content of flavonoids, mainly anthocyanins, perfectly alleviates inflammation mainly related to weakened body immunity. This means that elderberry will be an ideal companion in caring for well-being and improving the work of the immune system.

What are the uses of elderberry?

Due to its rich nutritional composition, elderberry fruits and flowers are used in several main areas for human health. Elderberry ingredients are used in cosmetics, where they are included in many creams and ointments for sensitive skin and complexions. The additional antioxidant effect is brilliantly effective against skin problems and oily skin. Elderberry ingredients also reduce wrinkles, which is referred to as an anti-aging effect in cosmetics.

Elderberry can also be used as a toner for facial skin care. After soothing inflammatory changes on the skin, you can proceed to apply care creams that maintain the anti-aging effect.

Elderberry fruits and flowers are also used in the pharmaceutical industry as supplementation preparations/dietary supplements. Elderberry extracts serve as natural support for the immune system and for regulating the digestive tract. Of course, other properties of elderberry are also used in dietary supplements, through various blends of natural plant ingredients to achieve maximum health benefits for the host’s body.

Elderberry can also be found in the food industry, as it is an ingredient in elderberry teas, syrups, and various herbs with properties that alleviate inflammation and strengthen health and prevention.

Elderberry – which supplements are worth choosing?

An example of a comprehensively acting dietary supplement for immunity is BestProtect. It additionally contains lysine and organic forms of zinc, which are ingredients that perfectly affect the activity of the immune system and strengthen the mobilization of immune factors, such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and NK cells. Thanks to such a combination offered by BestProtect, we can be sure that our immunity will be properly protected and we will be able to enjoy long and effective immunity.

Elderberry – contraindications for use

In most cases, elderberry extracts are safe for general use, but it is worth consulting them in the case of pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Elderberry comes in various forms. It is important to keep this in mind and not exceed the recommended daily amount. Otherwise, it may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms. It should also be remembered that if you wish to consume elderberry fruits in their basic form, they must first be subjected to heat treatment.

Elderberry is a plant commonly growing in Poland, characterized by a rich nutritional composition that offers many properties and applications. However, elderberry extracts are primarily used as supplementary support in cases of weakened immunity and the desire to accelerate the regeneration of this system.

1. B. Kołodziej, K. Drożdżal, Właściwości przeciwutleniające kwiatów i owoców bzu czarnego pozyskiwanego ze stanu naturalnego, “Żywność. Nauka. Technologia. Jakość” 2011, nr 4, s. 36-44.
2. Młynarczyk K, Walkowiak-Tomczak D, Łysiak GP. Bioactive properties of Sambucus nigra L. as a functional ingredient for food and pharmaceutical industry. J Funct Foods. 2018 Jan;40:377-390.
3. Ho GT, Wangensteen H, Barsett H. Elderberry and Elderflower Extracts, Phenolic Compounds, and Metabolites and Their Effect on Complement, RAW 264.7 Macrophages and Dendritic Cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Mar 8;18(3):584.
4. Strugała P, Loi S, Bażanów B, Kuropka P, Kucharska AZ, Włoch A, Gabrielska J. A Comprehensive Study on the Biological Activity of Elderberry Extract and Cyanidin 3-O-Glucoside and Their Interactions with Membranes and Human Serum Albumin. Molecules. 2018 Oct 8;23(10):2566.

Check out our offer