Elderberries Enhance Night Vision and More
July 29, 2008
Elderberry bushes, or elder trees, grow small dark berries called elderberries. The European Elder is a hardy plant found across Europe and North America, growing in moist soil along streams and roadways.
A fast growing plant, the elderberry produces tiny white flowers in the spring and clusters of berries in the late summer. The most popular species is the European elderberry which produces a dark blue berry. However, some say the American Elder is slightly sweeter. The latter may be found in abundance east of the Rocky Mountains. Some are known to live 80 to 100 years!
Even the Greek philosophers believed in the medicinal value of elderberry. For example, Hippocrates called it his “medicine chest.” It was used for centuries on those suffering from constipation, the common cold, arthritis, and asthma.
Elderberries are a rich source of vitamin C and potassium, and have shown to be effective in strengthening the immune system.
Elderberries also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by keeping platelets from adhering to the blood vessel walls. This reduces risks caused by bad cholesterol. But perhaps its most famous benefit is providing the body with anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that protect the body cells from damage caused by stress, poor diet, or environmental toxins.
We all have heard that carrots help us see better. Elderberries actually help us see better at night. They aid the body in producing rhodopsin, or visual purple, a substance in the rods of the retina that aid in seeing in reduced light.
Even the elderberry flowers are beneficial. The white flowers have been stirred into muffin or cake mixes to give a light, sweet flavor. They have also been battered and fried, or pressed into tonics. Elderberry may be purchased as a dietary supplement or as a juice. The normal dosage is about 400 mg per day.
The ripe berries, cleaned and cooked, can be made into many things: extracts, syrups, pies, jams, or used as garnish, dye, or flavoring. Some eat them uncooked but they do contain toxins and it is better to be safe by washing and cooking them before eating. Also, elderberries are bitter and need sweetener to be palatable. Many like to cook them with other fruit like apples or pears to sweeten them. The tiny seeds in the berry leave a gritty taste, even after cooking, but the seeds are safe.
Discard the roots, stems, twigs, and leaves of the elderberry, as well as any unripe fruit. These are all poisonous. Also avoid red elderberries. Evidence shows these to be high in certain toxins, even when cooked. Stick with the purple, black, and blue berries.
Comments
