Too Early to Be Thinking About Elderberry? Nope.
Congratulations parents, you finished your back-to-school shopping and shipped your kiddos back to in-person learning. Or if you don’t have kids at home, maybe you bought yourself a pair of cute new winter boots when they went on sale. But while you were stocking up on notebooks, number two pencils, sweaters, and corduroys, did you happen to pick up any elderberry?
Elderberry? Already? It’s not even cold out yet. But the immune challenges that come along with cold weather become more frequent as early as October and can hang around until May. (Of course, you can feel cruddy any time of the year, but we’re talking odds here.) So, with chilly days just around the corner, now’s a good time to stock up on elderberry so you’re ready for the immune junk that fall and winter bring.
Why Elderberry?
We know there are a lot of immune supplements on the health store shelves. Why should you choose elderberry?
Let’s start by taking a look into the distant past. Ancient Romans used elderberry to strengthen immunity. So did Native Americans... And Northern Europeans... And Russians... Are you seeing a pattern? When several different folk cultures independently come to the same conclusion about an herb, we at Flora tend to sit up and pay attention. Scientists have, too. That’s why there are so many studies about elderberry. A recent review of this research—33 studies, to be precise—found elderberry had a “favorable effect” on upper respiratory health.*[1]Why does it work? Elderberry is high in polyphenols such as anthocyanins and other flavonoids, as well as vitamins A and C, all of which are antioxidants.*[2],[3] In one study looking at the flavonol content of 28 different berries, elderberry came out on top.*[4] In fact, elderberry has more overall antioxidant power than blueberries or cranberries.*[5]
Sounds good to us. That’s why we’ve made it easy and fun to take elderberry, either as a syrup or as freeze-dried crystals.
Elderberry 2 Ways
Elderberry has traditionally been taken as a syrup, so that’s a good place to start. Flora’s Certified Organic Sambu®Guard Elderberry+ Liquid combines elderberry with echinacea and licorice for additional respiratory support, ‘cause we like to be extra.* But if you like your elderberry straight up, we’ve still got you covered. Sambu®Guard Elderberry Crystals deliver 100% organic elderberry juice powder in a convenient crystal form that dissolves easily in water or other beverages.
One of the great things about elderberry is that it tastes good. That’s not true of all supplements, and it’s especially important if you’re trying to give it to kiddos. You can enjoy the syrup mixed into plain seltzer for an instant elderberry soda, pour it over brie or a baked apple, or use it anywhere you’d use a little honey or maple syrup. The crystals are good mixed into smoothies or dissolved into warm drinks. And that’s just the start. Browse this collection of elderberry crystal recipes for inspiration.
The Time is Ripe for Elderberry
Take elderberry for a burst of antioxidants at the first sign of an immune challenge.* Or take daily to keep your immune system in good fighting shape.*
Elderberry+ Liquid and Elderberry Crystals are 15% off right now. Just enter elderberry15 at checkout. Offer valid until September 27, 2021. And to sweeten the pot, we’ll throw in a delicious new elderberry recipe in a couple days. Just watch this space.
References
[1] Van der Gaag EJ, Hummel TZ. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020 Jul 10;1-14.
[2] Cao G, Prior RL. Anthocyanins are detected in human plasma after oral administration of an elderberry extract. Clin Chem 1999; 45:574–6.
[3] Johansen OP, et al. Cyanidin 3-[6-(p-coumaroyl)-2-(xylosyl)-glucoside]-5-glucoside and Other Anthocyanins from Fruits of Sambucus canadensis. Phytochemistry. 1991;30(12):4137-41.
[4] Mikulic-Pekovsek M, et al. HPLC-MS(n) identification and quantification of flavonol glycosides in 28 wild and cultivated berries. Food Chem 2012 Dec 15;135(4):2138-46.
[5] Wu X, et al. Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of common foods in the United States. J Agr Food Chem 2004; 52:4026–4037.
