Night Vision And More Benefits Of Elderberries
Elderberries are small, dark berries that grow in clusters on elder trees (also called elderberry bushes). The European Elder is found in temperate climates across Europe and North America. It is a hardy plant often growing in the moist soil along roadsides and streams.
Elderberry bushes are fast-growing and have compound leaves and tightly clustered bunches of tiny white flowers in late spring, followed by clusters of berries in late summer. The European elderberries are black to dark blue, and are most frequently used in recipes, extracts, and syrups. The American Elder, also popular, is said to be slightly sweeter. It is found most anywhere east of the Rockies. Some species have life spans between 80 and 100 years.
Even the Greek philosophers believed in the medicinal value of elderberry. For example, Hippocrates called it his "medicine chest." It was used for centuries on those suffering from constipation, the common cold, arthritis, and asthma.
Elderberries are a rich source of vitamin C and potassium, and have shown to be effective in strengthening the immune system.
Elderberries also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by keeping platelets from adhering to the blood vessel walls. This reduces risks caused by bad cholesterol. But perhaps its most famous benefit is providing the body with anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that protect the body cells from damage caused by stress, poor diet, or environmental toxins.
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.
Even the elderberry flowers are beneficial. The white flowers have been stirred into muffin or cake mixes to give a light, sweet flavor. They have also been battered and fried, or pressed into tonics. Elderberry may be purchased as a dietary supplement or as a juice. The normal dosage is about 400 mg per day.
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.
Elderberry bushes are fast-growing and have compound leaves and tightly clustered bunches of tiny white flowers in late spring, followed by clusters of berries in late summer. The European elderberries are black to dark blue, and are most frequently used in recipes, extracts, and syrups. The American Elder, also popular, is said to be slightly sweeter. It is found most anywhere east of the Rockies. Some species have life spans between 80 and 100 years.
Even the Greek philosophers believed in the medicinal value of elderberry. For example, Hippocrates called it his "medicine chest." It was used for centuries on those suffering from constipation, the common cold, arthritis, and asthma.
Elderberries are a rich source of vitamin C and potassium, and have shown to be effective in strengthening the immune system.
Elderberries also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by keeping platelets from adhering to the blood vessel walls. This reduces risks caused by bad cholesterol. But perhaps its most famous benefit is providing the body with anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that protect the body cells from damage caused by stress, poor diet, or environmental toxins.
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.
Even the elderberry flowers are beneficial. The white flowers have been stirred into muffin or cake mixes to give a light, sweet flavor. They have also been battered and fried, or pressed into tonics. Elderberry may be purchased as a dietary supplement or as a juice. The normal dosage is about 400 mg per day.
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.