The elderberry is a tree with amazing healing properties thanks to its leaves, flowers and berries.
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12 properties and benefits of elderberry
By elder one can refer to any variety of sacumbus tree, but the most common is sacumbus nigra. It is a species native to Europe and is also cultivated in many other parts of the world.
Different parts of the tree have been used for medicinal and culinary purposes throughout history . The flowers, leaves, berries and even the bark give the elderberry different properties and benefits which are presented below.
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1. Contains many phytochemicals
Elderberry contains many phytochemicals . They are substances found in flowers, leaves and bark, but above all they can be found in their berries. They give most of the properties and benefits of this plant, so they are very relevant. Flavonoids or anthocyanins are some of the most prominent groups.
2. It has antioxidant properties
This plant is very antioxidant . Especially noteworthy is the contribution of flavonoids in elderberries, which are capable of preventing cell damage. These substances prevent oxidation caused by free radicals, which age the cells of the human body and can lead to the appearance of diseases.
3. Prevents inflammation
The leaves and flowers have traditionally been used to combat inflammation . The swelling caused by internal inflammation affects different organs, and it is something that happens to many people. It is mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle, stress and an inadequate diet, but consuming elderberry in the form of berries or infusion is a way to prevent it.
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4. Avoid constipation
For many years the bark was used as a laxative . This quality of the elderberry is no longer used so much, but it is also a plant that can help improve intestinal transit. In addition, elderberries contain a lot of fiber, so not only does it increase intestinal transit, but also volume.
5. Strengthens defenses
The immune system also benefits from the phytochemicals in elderberry . This plant allows the body’s defenses to have different resources to combat external threats to the body. In this way there is more resistance against pathologies produced by bacteria, viruses and other opportunistic organisms.
6. Fight colds and flu
Elderberry has good antioxidant and antiviral capacity to combat colds and flu . Studies have been carried out in which elderberry syrup was administered daily or tablets with elderberry extract that confirm this. Symptoms such as fever, headache, or nasal congestion seem to improve, resulting in one of the most remarkable properties of elderberry.
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7. It has diuretic properties
Elderberry also helps combat fluid retention . This plant has diuretic properties, and in fact it is known as a good natural remedy to purify the body. Its detoxifying properties are used to eliminate toxins from the body, stimulate the organs and cleanse the lymphatic system.
8. Promotes oral health
The properties and benefits of the elder allow to maintain oral health . Gargling and mouthwashes with elderberry infusion have been found to be beneficial in combating hoarseness and bacteria in the mouth. This in turn allows you to combat bad breath, something always inappropriate when talking to someone.
9. Allows you to clean wounds
Elderberry has traditionally been used to clean skin wounds . Its use as a poultice to treat wounds is ancient, although today this type of cures is not used as much. On the other hand, elderberry infusion has also been used to wash eye infections, being another of the properties and benefits of this plant.
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10. It has expectorant properties
Elderberry has benefits for the respiratory tract thanks to its expectorant properties . When different respiratory problems occur due to certain infections, it is useful to resort to elderberry. It has the ability to make the mucus in the area less thick and allows its expectoration.
11. Avoid acne
Elderberry helps fight acne due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects . Washing your face with products containing its extract or taking berries can be effective. It is mainly thanks to its abilities to fight bacteria and to protect healthy cells from damaging free radicals.
12. Take care of the skin
The elderberry also prevents the appearance of alterations in the skin . Thanks to some of the substances it contains, such as flavonoids or vitamin A, it prevents the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes. It also allows the skin not to lose moisture and is soft and smooth, which allows it to be healthier in general terms. This is one of the properties and benefits of elderberry that is widely used in the cosmetic industry.
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Bibliographic references
- Craker, L.E. y Simon, J.E. (1986). Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants. Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture, and Pharmacology. Food Products Press.
- Porter, R.S. y Bode, R.F. (2017). A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Products. Phytother Res., 31 (4), 533-554.
- Viapiana, A. y Wesolowski, M. (2017). The Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Infusions of Sambucus nigra L. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 72 (1), 82–87.
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