Why is Elderberry Syrup so Popular?

People can’t seem to stop talking about elderberry syrup!  I see it all over the internet and social media!  When I first started learning about it, I we straight to amazon.  I saw lots of expensive 5oz bottles.  I even bought one!  When I tasted it, it didn't seem natural at all.  It had preservatives and thickeners.  I actaully threw it away.  You can find Elderberry Syrup in stores.  It's usually in liquid syrup form.  I've seen this at Meijer, Target, Kroger, and even Walmart. This can be really convenient for people who don’t want to make it themselves, but I have something better! You know I'm partial to Sweet 'n Simple Elderberry Syrup, right?! 

Here are some reasons the syrup is so popular. 

It's Potent and Very Concentrated

One of the reasons elderberry syrup is popular and often the first option when it comes to elderberries is because it is extremely potent and more concentrated than most other forms of elderberry. This means you get more of those nutrients and other health benefits than if you chose a lozenge, capsule, or other type of elderberry product. I choose the syrup form over gummies, lozenges, and tinctures.

It's Easy to Find and Use

Since manufacturers know how popular the syrup is, they tend to make it more often than other products with elderberry in it. This means it is going to be easier to find, whether at drug stores and natural food stores, or just your regular supermarket.  These versions typically have sugar as their first ingredient.  You know, sugar is terrible for your immune system.  Anyway, they also have preservatives to make it shelf-stable, as well as thickeners so you get less of the good stuff in that bottle.

So, I should mention that you can find more natural versions at local farmer’s markets, or you can order via www.sweetnsimpleky.com. (hint hint)

Tips for Choosing Local Elderberry Syrup

When it comes to buying elderberry syrup, you want to make sure it is a genuine product not only with real elderberries, but not a lot of artificial ingredients or sugars. The more natural and organic it is, the better it can be for you.  Did I mention that Sweet 'n Simple Elderberry only uses USDA certified organic ingredients and RAW honey as the sweetener?  This is a huge win for anyone sturggling with seasonal irritants. 

You always want to check the front and back of the label to get as much information as possible. This means looking at the ingredients, making sure they use organic elderberries and not some kind of concentrate, and that you can pronounce all the ingredients.  Maybe, just find a maker that you can trust so you don't have to worry about all that, just saying! 

Make sure elderberry is the main active ingredient, and if it tells you what part of the elderberry plant was actually used to make the syrup. You only want black Elderberries, not red or green.  Red and green elderberries can upset your stomach terribly.  Oh, and the branches are mildly poisonous.  Again, pick a maker that you can trust, okay?!

Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?

All this talk about what type of elderberries to use, I think I should mention a word of caution.  Before you go, it is really important to understand the potential cautions and side effects from using elderberry as a natural healing aide. 

Don’t Eat Raw Elderberries

The first risk comes when you try to eat elderberries raw. These can be potentially poisonous when eaten in the wrong way. You can’t eat the berries, seeds, or leaves raw, but you can eat the elderflowers raw. That is the only exception.  If you want more infomation about this, look up "elderberries and Glycocides." 

Here's the quick explaination:

The berries contain glycosides in the seeds. Cooking the berries destroys the glycosides present in the seeds, making the berries with their seeds safe to eat. 

If you experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating an elderberry product, it was probably in the raw form and you may have consumed a toxic substance.

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Not Everyone Should Consume Elderberries

While it is safe for most people, there are some who should caution against taking it. This includes people with sensitive immune systems, and anyone with chronic health conditions leading to breathing problems.

As with all natural remedies, it is best to talk to your doctor first.