Elderberries Enhance Night Vision and More

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! If the ancient Greeks are any authority, elderberries are healthy for us! Hippocrates referred to it as his “medicine chest.” It has been used for centuries to treat such things as asthma, arthritis, constipation, and the common cold. Elderberries are a rich source of vitamin C and potassium, and have shown to be effective in strengthening the immune system. Elderberries are famous for providing the system with anthocyanins. These protect the body from toxins of the environment, from stress, and from poor eating habits. They also help the body fight against the effects of bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by hindering platelets from sticking to blood vessel walls. Elderberries not only help in dealing with stress, but they actually improve vision, especially at night. This is because elderberries help the body make rhodopsin, also known as visual purple, a chemical in the rods of the retina designed to see in reduced light. Both the flowers and berries are beneficial. The white flowers may be battered and fried or stirred into muffins or sponge cake mix. They give a light, sweet flavor. Some even press then into tonics. Elderberry may be purchased as a dietary supplement or as a juice or concentrate. The suggested dosage is 400 mg daily. The ripe berries have been made into syrups, pies, extracts, jams, or used to dye, flavor, or garnish. Be sure they are washed and cooked before eating since they contain toxins that could cause sickness. They are bitter alone and need either to be sweetened, or to be cooked with other fruits such as pears or apples. The gritty taste even of the cooked berry is caused by the tiny seeds of the elderberry. Don’t worry; they are safe to eat. Avoid ingesting red elderberries. They contain toxins that could cause sickness, even after being cooked. The purple, black, and blue berries are safe when washed and cooked first. Also, the leaves, unripe berries, stems, twigs, and roots should not be eaten.

There are many ways you can enjoy the power of elderberries. The important thing is to make sure the form in which you buy elderberries will give you all the benefits it offers. One of the best ways to guarantee you are getting full advantage is by purchasing whole elderberry herb. The whole berry contains everything the elderberry has to offer!

Food for the Brain

Nutrition

Nutrition