Move over acai, there is a new powerhouse berry generating a lot of buzz in parenting and wellness circles. Meet the elderberry, the fruit of the Sambucus tree, which has long been used by Native Americans and European communities as a way to boost the immune system to help the body fight off colds, flu, and other respiratory infections.
The dried flowers (elder flower) and the dried ripe or fresh berries (elderberry) of the European elder tree are used in teas, extracts, and capsules, as the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes.
Now it’s starting to get mainstream attention and there are numerous elderberry supplements popping up in social media and available on Amazon.