Halina Hladysz: Two berries with great medicinal properties

By Halina Hladysz, Journal columnist | Tuesday, September 11, 2007

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My husband and I developed a tradition in our home. When our grandchildren are done eating a meal, they get supplements especially designed for children — chewable vitamins with minerals and antioxidants. Recently, in preparation for the school year and for prevention from colds and flu, we incorporated an herbal combination —

Elderberry Plus from the Herbasaurs line. They love the sweet and sour taste of this preparation, and that makes us, the grandparents, happy as well; we do not have to use any persuasive methods for them to take this tasty medicinal remedy.

The main ingredient in the Elderberry Plus formula is elderberry (Sambucus nigra) extract.

One of my teachers of herbalism, Steven Horne (previous president of American Herbalists Guild), likes to talk and write about gathering elderberries and making elderberry syrup. He used it on pancakes and waffles for his own children when they were young — and in this tricky way he would provide an excellent medicine for them. Thanks to the proteins found in elderberry, it inhibits viruses (especially influenza), and it stimulates the immune system.

Elderberry has long been used in England to fight colds; people often take a teaspoon of elderberry syrup to protect them from winter illness, including cold, flu, sore throat, respiratory inflammation and congestion. Because elderberry is a decongestant and expectorant in nature, it is an effective remedy for expelling bronchial mucous during a cold, sinus or other respiratory congestion. It also promotes perspiration in the event of a fever to help bring down temperature.

Elderberries are rich in vitamins A (beta carotene) and C, both of which are known to strengthen immunity against disease. They are also a rich source of antioxidant flavonoids, calcium, potassium and carotenoids. Thus, these berries can be taken regularly as part of the diet to strengthen capillaries (including in the eyes), veins and arteries; enhance circulation; reduce inflammation; and prevent histamine response in seasonal allergies. They are beneficial in degenerative eye disease such as macular degeneration.

Elderberries are safe for infants. An indication of the need for elderberries occurs when the infant is blue and swollen over the bridge of the nose, and the skin of the cheeks is dry and red.

Elderberries act as a tonic to build up the blood and combat anemia. For this purpose, you may combine them with blackberries.

Hawthorn Berry — a cardio tonic

In my last article (Aug. 13), I explained the doctrine of signatures, the notion that the color, shape, growth pattern and other characteristics of a plant may provide a clue to its medicinal properties. Herbalists have long associated Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) with the cardiovascular system, due to the bright red color of its berry.

Hawthorn is one of the oldest known medicinal plants used in European medicine. By now, it has a long history of use, confirmed safety and clinical evidence to support its cardiovascular benefits, especially cardiotonic activity. (A cardiotonic herb strengthens and tones the heart, improving its function and tissue integrity.) In America, at least 10 Native American tribes have been using hawthorn as a remedy for various cardiovascular problems.

Hawthorn inhibits mild congestive heart failure; decreases an accelerated heart rate and reduces arrhythmias; reduces spasms caused by angina pectoris and other heart problems; dilates the coronary vessels, improving the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart; strengthens the heart muscle, thus increasing the heart’s pumping force; reduces the “bad” LDL cholesterol levels; decreases the size of existing atherosclerosis (plaque); heals damaged capillaries; lowers mild high-blood pressure; significantly increases exercise tolerance, lessens the shortness of breath and post-exercise fatigue, reduces ankle edema; reduces the lactic acid accumulation in the heart, improving the oxygen utilization; significantly improves stress tolerance; and prevents premature degradation of the cardiovascular system.

In clinical studies hawthorn berries are usually used in a blend of leaf and flower.

No one should treat a serious heart condition by herself/himself, but there are countless testimonials in which people share how this herb helped them heal from a cardiac condition.

Interactions with other drugs. In over 100 years of medicinal literature, there are no reports of complications attributed to hawthorn use. However, hawthorn preparations may potentiate the action of digitalis; thus, check with your doctor to adjust your medicine.

Please, remember that surgery and prescription drugs, although effective, do not correct the causes of cardiac disease. Change your unhealthy way of life (a diet rich in overprocessed foods and unfavorable carbohydrates, stress, a sedentary lifestyle and cigarette smoking, among other risk factors) and add hawthorn berries to your daily regimen. Like some of my clients, you may be astounded how much better you feel.

Look for more medicinal berries in my Oct. 8 article.

This column is for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat diseases. If you have a serious health problem, consult a competent health practitioner. Halina Hladysz of Rapid City is a certified Master of Holistic Healing, a natural health consultant, a clinical herbalist, a holistic nutritionist and a certified Cleansing Specialist. You can write to her in care of The Rapid City Journal, Box 450, Rapid City, SD 57709, or send her e-mail messages at health@rushmore.com, or visit www.halina-health.com.