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Elder tree is a shrub with excellent medicinal properties. It is native to North America and Europe. Botanically, elderberry is referred to as Sambucus Nigra. The elderberry fruit is reddish brown to purple and shiny black in color. It is therefore also known as black elderberry. Elderberry benefits have been known to mankind since ages, and elderberries have been widely used for medicinal as well as culinary purposes. They are also used as an ingredient in various skin creams and other cosmetics.

In order to derive maximum elderberry benefits, the best thing is to drink fresh juice of the elderberry fruits. Elderberry juice benefits are attributed to its nutrients, which include vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotenoids, amino acids, and flavonoids. Elderberry juice is also very rich in certain essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and several anti-oxidants. If you are wondering how to make elderberry juice, then you can prepare it by extracting the blossoms of elderberry and cooking them. You must refrain from consuming raw elderberry extract.

The health benefits of elderberry juice or the black elderberry extract benefits are as mentioned below:

• Elderberry juice has the ability to prevent and treat ailments and disorders of the respiratory system such as common colds and flu, cough, chest congestion, sore throats, bronchitis, and asthma. Regular intake of black elderberry juice protects you against any such ailments. Elderberry for flu treatment was being used by native North Americans as traditional medicine. Since common colds and flu are common and contagious and if someone at home happens to suffer from the flu, you can make use of elderberry for flu prevention.
• Since it is very rich in vitamin C, elderberry juice is very beneficial in the treatment of various bacterial diseases. It boosts the immune system of the body, thereby preventing and curing various infections and diseases. In fact, elderberry benefits for kids can be attributed to the fact that it helps strengthen their immunity, thereby preventing diseases.
• Elderberry is also antiviral in action, and as such, it is a potent cure for viral diseases like common colds and fever. In fact, elderberry for colds is one of the most effective remedies to treat the condition. Also, the intake of the extract of elderberry is a useful flu remedy.
• Another great health benefit of black elderberry juice is that it helps in keeping the digestive system healthy. It improves digestion by promoting the secretion of digestive juices, and also prevents ailments of digestive system like constipation.
• Another great health benefit of black elderberry juice is that it helps in keeping the digestive system healthy. It improves digestion by promoting the secretion of digestive juices, and also prevents ailments of digestive system like constipation.
• One of the elderberry uses is its ability to combat cancer. Some of the physiological reactions in the body leave free radicals as the by-products. These free radicals initiate chain reactions that cause cell division, leading to formation of tumors, which later become cancerous. The high content of antioxidants in elderberry helps prevent the formation of cancerous cells, thereby inhibiting the onset of cancer.
• Elderberry is also anti-inflammatory in action and thus can be used for treating and preventing inflammatory conditions such as joint pains and arthritis.
• Elderberry extract also helps prevent water retention or edema.
• Regular consumption of black elderberry juices neutralizes the harmful effects of bad eating habits and environmental hazards such as pollution.
• Elderberry also helps reduce the pace of ageing and makes you look younger. It also reduces the signs of ageing like dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. This can be attributed to the high content of antioxidants in elderberry. It enhances skin texture and makes your skin look supple and even younger. It also enhances skin complexion and relieves skin problems like blemishes, acne, and white or blackheads.
• Elderberry juice also helps reduce the cholesterol content of the body, especially the LDL or the bad cholesterol. As such, it helps reduce the susceptibility to cardio-vascular diseases.
• Elderberry juice or elderberry concentrate also shields you against infection of human immuno virus (HIV), thereby preventing AIDS.
• Elderberry juice being a rich source of vitamin A helps enhance vision.
• Elderberry helps treat infections of urinary tract. It also helps prevent kidney and bladder stones.
• Elderberry is a potent sedative and helps induce sleep. It helps relax your nerves and muscles and imparts a feeling of well-being.
• Elderberry extract also helps prevent diabetes by promoting the production of insulin by the pancreas.

Elderberry juice supplies vitamin C to assist in the prevention and treatment of colds. Elderberry juice also acts as a demulcent to soothe the chest. It also acts to induce sweating (a property described as sudorific) which has been commonly held to be beneficial in the early stages of a feverish cold. Elderberry juice also has mild laxative and diuretic (the promotion of water loss) properties.

For variety, try mixing elderberry juice with apple juice, blackberry juice or rhubarb juice. The elderberry tree grows wild throughout Europe and has a long history of medicinal applications. In addition to the berries, the bark, leaves and root of the tree have all been shown to have active properties. The berries themselves must be allowed to ripen fully before picking as the unripe fruit contains poisonous alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides. The alkaloids are characterized by their bitterness and are chemically related to quinine, caffeine, nicotine and strychnine. The cyanogenic glycosides release poisonous hydrocyanic acid. This compound can be lethal to small animals, but in the doses present in the unripe elderberry, tends only to bring tears to the eyes of adults. While it is important to choose only ripe elderberries, the presence of poisons in the unripe fruit should not put you off this useful berry. Think of the well-loved potato. A green or sprouting potato contains the poison solanine (another alkaloid) which should be avoided, but this hasn't stopped millions of people from enjoying the standard untainted version.

In bygone days elderberries were illicitly added to red wine and port to enhance their colour. Leading doctors carried out repeated studies to discover that it was only port that had been diluted with elderberry juice that had this anti-neuralgic property. The genuine article had no such value. As a result of their investigation, the physicians of Prague recommended a combination of 30g of elderberry juice and 10g of port wine in the treatment of sciatica and neuralgia.

As such, intake of elderberry juice on a regular and long-term basis is beneficial for the overall well-being of the body. However, intake of juice of elderberry in pregnancy is not considered very safe. Hence, pregnant and lactating women must refrain from consumption of elderberry juice. Also, there are certain side-effects of intake of elderberry extract. In fact, elderberry benefits and side effects go hand in hand. Fresh elderberry is poisonous, and you must not consume it without cooking. Some of the elderberry side effects are nausea and vomiting. Elderberry allergies are common in most people. Consequently, it is best to seek the advice of your dietician before consuming elderberry juice.