Basics of Botanicals: Elderberry

If you’ve ever popped into the vitamin and supplements aisle at the store, you’ve likely seen an abundance of capsules, syrups, and teas that feature elderberry as a main ingredient. Its popularity is nothing new - elderberry has been beloved for centuries, and for good reason. Read on to learn about one of our favorite botanicals!

The history of elderberry

Elderberry refers to the fruit of several varieties of the Sambucus shrub. The most commonly used species in herbalism is black elderberry, Sambucus nigra, which is native to Europe. Elder flowers are also used in European and American herbalism for immune support, in addition to its use in alcoholic spirits and baked goods.

Elderberry has been a favorite botanical among many cultures for centuries. The earliest documented use of the plant was recorded in Egypt in the 16th century BCE, largely used for topical support of the skin. Philosophers, including Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder, also referenced its traditional uses for a variety of wellness applications, including various digestive system and immune system imbalances. The Ancient Celts revered elder as a sacred plant, symbolic of the cycles of birth and death, refusing to burn its wood in fires over fear of bad luck. In Germany and the U.S., elderberry has long been used in tea, syrup, tablet, and extract form for a range of health benefits, mostly focusing on seasonal immune support. Today, along with being used in supplement form, elderberries are often a featured ingredient in wines, jellies, sparkling water, and baked goods.

Why we feature elderberry in our Dynamic Immune Support CBD Soft Gels

First of all, the nutritional profile of elderberry is robust. Elderberries are high in vitamin C, iron, vitamin A, potassium, and dietary fiber. They also contain flavonols, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids - antioxidants that stabilize oxidizing agents in the body and scavenge free radicals. Each of these compounds are key in supporting healthy cellular activity in the immune and digestive systems.†

Our Dynamic Immune CBD Soft Gels feature Eldermune®, a patented elderberry juice concentrate (read: not an extract), which provides the equivalent of 4.2 grams of elderberry juice in each soft gel. The concentrate is dried to a powder using a low-temperature, infra-red drying process which helps to preserve the key antioxidants mentioned above.

Beyond the benefits this GRAS-certified ingredient provides to the immune system, Eldermune® also supports digestive health.† Eldermune® combines the juice concentrate with a clinically-backed prebiotic fiber, Sunfiber®, which supports healthy digestion and the gut’s microbiome. Importantly, this prebiotic fiber also provides support for the absorption of the key constituents that make elderberry so beneficial.

Maximizing the benefits of elderberry