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Sambucus Benefits
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Sambucus benefits have long been recognized for their potency in fighting flu-related ailments, as well as congestion and respiratory-related diseases. The juices and extracts from sambucus are known for their laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic actions.
The sambucus or elderberry as it is more widely known, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows up to 6 meters in height. The most widely known specie of this tree is the sambucus nigra, and it is native to many areas in Europe and North America . Other species of sambucus can be found in temperate areas of the Southern Hemisphere. |
 The sambucus fruit is a dark purple colored berry that measures about 5 millimeters in diameter and usually emerges in drooping clusters in the late stages of the fall season. These berries are typically eaten by fruit-eating birds. While these berries are safe to eat when fully ripe, they are poisonous when they are unripe. These are usually used as ingredients to make jams and jellies, and can be combined with other fruits in the making of pies. The fruits can likewise be made into wines and other hard drinks.
For their part, the flowers are colored white, measure about 6 millimeters in diameter, and have five petals. These are usually borne in large corymbs of about 10 to 25 centimeters in diameter during the summer. The flowers are usually infused in hot water and enjoyed as tea. These are also made into syrups that can be eaten with pancakes. These are also fried and enjoyed as a light snack.
The bark of the sambucus shrub is light gray when young but transforms into a coarse outer bark as it matures. The leaves are found in opposite pairs, 10 to 30 centimeters in length, possessing about five to seven leaflets, with serrated margins.
The sambucus benefits to health are derived from its active constituents which include organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitamins A, B and C. The antioxidant flavonoids in sambucus include quercetin and anthocyanins.
It is very important to note that the leaves, twigs, branches, seeds and roots of sambucus contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside. Ingesting any of these parts in sufficient quantity can cause a toxic build up of cyanide in the body. As such, extreme caution ought to be exercised when using any of these.
The following are the sambucus benefits that are believed to be beneficial to health:
Sambucus berries are believed to help in the treatment of fever and flu. Sambucus leaves, flowers, berries and roots are also used in fighting congestion-related ailments such as coughs, sinus and bronchitis. Some ingredients in the juices and extracts from sambucus are believed to help protect the mucuous membranes from certain viruses. Again, extreme caution ought to be exercised when using leaves, bark, seeds, roots and twigs of the sambucus shrub as sufficient quantities of these may cause poisoning. Sambucus extracts are believed to help fight some allergies. Sambucus extracts are used in the treatment of neuralgia or nerve pain. Sambucus extracts are used against chronic fatigue syndrome. Sambucus extracts are used to treat constipation.
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