Flu and cold relief, maintains the blood sugar levels, constipation, shields your child’s heart, enhances immunity levels, anti-oxidant, organic detoxifiers, capability to fight cancer, eyesight is protected, properties which are anti-inflammatory, strengthens the bones and helps the respiratory health are some of the health benefits of elderberry in your child’s diet.

When we talk about elderberry, there is evidence to support the health benefits and many medicinal properties which were known to us for a long period of time. In fact, elderberries are known to be the cure for constipation, allergies, cold, flu and even to withstand cancer.

These days, elderberries are found so easily in the market and even used as medicines prescribed to kids. Hence, if your child happens to agonize from any of the illnesses, you can give them elderberries. Moreover, other recommended uses for elderberry leaves in terms of a direct application includes wounds, sprains, chilblains, bruises, and mouthwash for people who have mouth ulcers.

Read More: 15 Astonishing Health Benefits of Elderberry Syrup for Kids

Elderberry for children

Derived from the name itself, elderberry is part of the berry family. Elderberries come from a plant which is known as Sambucus. These elderberries differ from black elderberries to dark blue elderberries and do deliver a comfortable sweet taste. Even so, they are now available in many forms such as jellies, jams, spreads, syrups and even in other forms as well.

Is it possible to give elderberry to my child?

It’s always better to make your child have elderberries as a jam spread on the cakes or bread. Or, there are many options such as applying elderberries on cake or muffin mixes as well as spreading the elderberry syrup on them.

Furthermore, you can apply elderberry syrup on a normal Sunday roast in order to enhance the flavour and even offer elderberry jellies to your children when they have cravings time to time or replace chocolates with these elderberry jellies.

Nutrition facts on elderberry

A single ounce of elderberries, which has 28 grams, includes about 20 calories. Moreover, there are 0.1 grams of total fat present along with 5.2 grams of carbohydrates. There are other nutrients being included in elderberries such as:

• Iron – 4 milligrams which is 2% of the daily value
• Vitamin A – 168 IU which is 3% of the daily value
• Vitamin C – 1 milligram which is 17% of the daily value
• Potassium – 4 milligrams which are 2% of the daily value
• Vitamin B6 – 1 milligram which is 3% of the daily value

In addition, elderberries are known to be a great element in your diet if you are seeking fruits which are fibre enriched and can enhance the digestive system. Having elderberries in a single serving is adequate enough to meet approximately 28% of the daily essentials.

Elderberry Syrup and Health Benefits for Children

Flu and cold relief

Elderberries are popularly known for its capabilities in curing flu and cold. They appear to be enriched with an anti-viral agent wherein it shields your children from the bacteria and viruses attacks which are the causes for flu and cold. Therefore, if your child seems to agonize from bad flu or severe child, then do give them elderberry syrup as it enhances and boosts the immunity system of the child.

Maintains the blood sugar levels

If a child seems to not indulge in any sort of activities for a long period of time, then his/her’s blood sugar levels may increase. Hence, in order to control the sugar levels in the body, you can offer them elderberry syrups or juice as it is known to be an ideal absorber of carbohydrates.

Constipation

If a baby suffers from constipation then including elderberry products into their diet is an ideal solution. In fact, it is recommended as it encourages healthy bowel movement since elderberries are enriched with fibre. Moreover, elderberry juice can also be given in order to maintain a good digestive system.

Shields your child’s heart

As mentioned, elderberries are filled with nutrients. With that being said, they are also rich in anti-oxidants where this shields your child’s heart from any heart-related disease known to damage the child’s system. Thus, providing children with an elderberry juice every day (a glass preferred) will definitely improve and elevate the heart’s condition.

Read More: 11 Uncommon Signs of Heart Attack

Anti-oxidant

Elderberries hold in high levels of anti-oxidants which are known as phenol. These anti-oxidants shield your child’s cell membrane from any damage which occurs due to free radicals. In layman terms, your child will not be prone to illness if elderberries are being given on a day-to-day basis. This will protect children hearts and enable it to be stronger.

Organic detoxifiers

Being rich in antioxidants, they disperse free radicals all over the child’s body. This would help them to excrete out toxins which are harmful out of their bodies. Therefore, your child will be able to protect his/her organs and live a healthy life.

Enhances immunity levels

Containing vitamin C, elderberries help in enhancing the child’s immunity system. Moreover, it also shields them from multiple infections caused. Elderberries being taken on a regular basis will lead to cutting down the risk of obtaining flu and a common cold.

Capability to fight cancer

Elderberries are known to have the capability to shield children from getting cancer. To support this, research which was conducted at the University of Portsmouth have observed that elderberries have the ability to fight against pathways which lead to the formation of a tumour.

Read More: Preventing Breast Cancer – 21 Lifestyle Changes Every Woman Should Be Aware Of

Eyesight is protected

Elderberries also contain Vitamin A and other types of minerals where it keeps your child’s eyes safe and healthy. If your child happens to be exposed to a lot of multimedia for many hours, then his/her eye would need nourishment in order to avoid further damaging of the eyes. Elderberries offer that cooling nourishment for your child.

Properties which are anti-inflammatory

Elderberries have the capabilities to cure diseases and pain in your child. To be specific, the anti-inflammatory property of finding in grapefruit heals any disease or injury faster. The European Journal of Pain has released research on how few elements which are available in elderberries aid in curing diseases and injuries quicker.

Strengthens the bones

The lycopene which is present in elderberries seems to have the capability to nourish children’s’ bones. Apart from the calcium and vitamin K which is involved in this process, there are few elements found in elderberries which have the potential to generate adequate amounts of tissues and bone fibre in a child.

Read More: 21 Foods for Maintaining Your Bone Health and Prevent Bone Loss

Beneficial to the skin

In addition to the points mentioned above, the vitamin A and C which is found in elderberry syrup are known to be remarkable for the child’s skin. The vitamins and anti-oxidants shield your child’s skin from pollutants and many environmental hazards. At the same time, the amino acids which are found in elderberry enable your child’s skin to be smooth and soft. Even so, the potassium found available in elderberries can shield your child’s skin from harmful and destructive UV rays.

Read More: 11 Tips to Make Your Baby Skin Fair

Helps the respiratory health

The vitamin C found in elderberries ensures that child’s respiratory health, in general, will be improved. Issues such as bronchitis or asthma are curable with the aid of elderberries. If a child frequently suffers from a chronic cough or even from a runny nose, then elderberries are an ideal solution. A majority of the children tend to witness shortness of breath every now and then. In such cases, we recommend using elderberry syrups as natural remedies in order to cure such conditions.

Purifies and protects the liver

Elderberries also help clean your child’s liver. They are used to push out toxic wastes in the liver hence keeping it purified. Moreover, if your child experiences the risk towards a fatty liver then elderberry is an ideal in this case.

Precautions of elderberry for children

Elderberry syrups provide many benefits for your child. But, please do ensure a few things in mind as you give elderberries on a day-to-day basis.

• Consultation from a doctor is recommended before giving the elderberry syrup. The reason being is the high fibre and acid content found in the fruit.
• If there seems to be a history of ‘citric allergy’ found in your family, then it is suggested to not give elderberries to your child since it can cause a negative effect in return.
• Always ensure to know if your baby has an allergic reaction towards elderberries. If so, you must immediately stop providing if there are any signs of resistance or tolerance. Furthermore, there are probably cases where your child can suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhoea or hives.

Side effects of elderberry

Few common side effects include:

• Stupor
• Weakness
• Vomiting/nausea
• Numbness
• Feeling dizzy

How to use it?

• Even there seems to be lack of information in regards to daily dosage, taking 15 mL of elderberry syrup around 4 times a day for a 5 week period can cure cases such as influenza.
• Kids who tend to suffer from flu can have a dosage of 5 mL of elderberry extract, twice in a day. For adults, 10 mL for twice a day can be provided.

Conclusion

As we have spoken about the perks of consuming elderberries, we do recommend including all berry types in your child’s diet.