Living in a dorm has its perks, I’m walking distance from my classes and the library, and sometimes I’m able to fit in a power nap in between classes. However, there is one fatal downfall, sickness. Whenever anyone on your floor falls victim to a sickness, you know in 3-5 days’ time, you will be right along with them… quarantined in your room.

This past week, I have caught a nasty head cold from my roommate, and as I will be going on an out of state trip soon, I wanted to get rid of this dreadful virus. I went to Target and got some medicine, but I also decided to get an immune booster (for maybe it will speed up the healing process).

I ended up buying a gummy vitamin that is an elderberry immune support. I looked at its nutrition label and saw it had a whopping 313% of Vitamin C and 15% zinc (which are both percentages of your recommended daily intake). I knew vitamin C and zinc are both crucial vitamins and minerals needed to get your immune system up and running again, but I wondered if these came from the elderberry or if it is an additive for the immune booster.

After some research on the elderberry, I was in awe by this natural wonder and shocked that I have never heard of it before now.

Scientifically named Sambucus nigra, the various subspecies are commonly named elder, or elderberry, due to the berries produced from its flower. Naturally occurring in farm foliage, the most suitable locations for elderberry growth is in Northern California and Great Britain. Because they are not particular about pH, they flourish when given enough water and sunlight. Their durable nature is what makes them economically affordable and biologically adept.

Raw elderberries are 80% water; therefore, they are dried for the most concentrated amount of nutrients. Rich in Vitamins C, A, E, D, and the majority of B, their values are much higher than those found in any regular daily multivitamin. Also being rich in various minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, many of these elements will make electrolytes (when combined with a nonmetal) to furthermore boost your immune health.

In Folklore time, the black elderberry was used medicinally for hundreds of years. Research suggests that elderberries have an effect on alleviating flu and allergy symptoms while also boosting overall respiratory health. In Chinese medicine, the elderberry was dissolved in wine to reduce inflammation in the joints for those with rheumatism.

The elderberry is filled with surprises, not only being beneficial in concentrate, but also as a ripe berry being one of the few wild berries that are non-toxic in their natural state.

Even as a firm believer in western medicine and science, the elderberry has proven health benefits that can be traced back to its components found through combustion analysis.

For those eastern medicine skeptics...

It cannot be denied that it is a beneficial component in boosting one’s immune health, for the chemical science of its breakdown is irrefutably evident.

Thanks to the elderberry, I was only sick three days instead of a week. Living in the era of the machine, it is nice to know that nature will still not fail us.