Elderberry Remedy

According to herbwisdom.com, elderberries have been used as a natural remedy for centuries and their juice was even used as a main medication to take care of the flu epidemic that took place in Panama in 1995. They have been used to help cure many other conditions, such as colds, yeast infections, chest congestion and hay fever. Because of their natural immune system-building abilities, elderberries have even been used to help treat patients suffering from cancer and AIDS, and have therefore been put into Mosby's Nursing Drug Reference book.

Effects of Elderberries

• Elderberries have many profound and lasting health benefits. As said by herbwisdom.com, they contain powerful antioxidants that help to fight cell damage, which can aid in the treatment of cancer. They also are equipped with amino acids, which store energy and help to build proteins. Flavonoids are plentiful in elderberries and assist in their therapeutic treatment. High amounts of vitamin A, B, and C can also be found in elderberries and these all help to stimulate and build the body's immune system.

Putting Elderberries into the Body

• Elderberries can be purchased in a liquid form or in a solid, pill form. According to ihealthtree.com, a serving size of elderberry liquid extract is around one teaspoon and three servings should be taken per day. If taken in pill form, usually one pill per day is consumed.

  Elderberry jelly is also a popular item. Put it on regular foods and it has a sweet, pleasant taste. Take elderberry supplements only when needed (when sick or developing a disease) or take them daily in order to protect your body and build up your immune system.

Side Effects

• Ask your doctor before you begin taking elderberry supplements as there is a wide range of effects. There are normal side effects when putting elderberry supplements into your body. But according to health-care-tips.org, elderberries contain sugars that release cyanide, a poison that has landed elderberries on the American Medical Association's Handbook of Poisonous Plants. Side effects include vomiting, diarrhea and other minor intestinal issues. Stop using the plant if more severe side effects develop, such as tightness in the chest, rash, or itchy skin. This could be a sign of an allergic reaction. Children and pregnant women should not use elderberries.