What's the use of elder?

Elderberry is widely distributed all over the world. In Central Europe, the most common species are black elder, red elder and dwarf elder. Sambucus nigra is the most common, and it is spread all over Europe, Central Asia, West Asia and North Africa. Elderberry is a deciduous shrub with a height of 4-6 meters. Umbrella flowers are in full bloom from spring to summer. Elderberry is a kind of dark purple drupe, which is clustered and cannot be eaten until it is fully mature. Other parts of plants, such as green stems and branches, are inedible and are not recommended for human consumption.

In 400 BC, Hippocrates called the elder tree his "medicine chest". Other famous classical therapists, including Theophrastus, Dior Scoori des and Galen, all think that the elderly are one of the greatest therapeutic plants in nature. /kloc-hildegarde of Gibingen in the 0/2nd century, and Dr. Martin Bulovic, a doctor and writer in the 0/7th century, continued to praise its advantages. At the beginning of the 20th century, Maud, a British traditional Chinese medicine, made a comprehensive review of the historical use of Sambucus williamsii as a traditional medicine. Before the emergence of antibiotics, it was found that elderberry was one of the main ingredients in many preparations used by herbalists, pharmacists and doctors. Today, Sambucus williamsii is used as a substitute for traditional medicine, and its main extract is used to treat common cold, influenza virus and herpes virus. Elderberry, together with classic antioxidant nutrients, vitamin C and zinc, is usually recommended as a complementary therapy to support the natural healing process.

Elderberry is a rich dietary source of plant pigments and phenolic compounds. They contain flavonol, quercetin -3- glucoside and quercetin -3- rutin, and a variety of anthocyanins: a group of phenolic compounds, which make many fruits, flowers, vegetables and elderberries appear charming red, purple and purple. Elderberry anthocyanin has biological activity; For example, it can improve the postprandial plasma antioxidant status of healthy people. Animal and in vitro studies have shown that anthocyanins can reduce necrosis and apoptotic cell death and reduce the risk of infarction through anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects on coronary arteries.