remedies10

Black Elderberry

Throughout the world, elderberries have been used for centuries as a remedy for colds, flu and fever. In a study conducted in Israel, an elderberry extract was used during a flu epidemic. Within 24 hours of taking the extract, 20 percent of the patients had dramatic improvements in flu symptoms. By the second day, 73 percent were improved; by the third day, 90 percent. Only 16 percent of the untreated group felt better after two days; a majority of the untreated group took almost a week to begin to feel better.

Native North Americans used black elderberries as a gentle laxative for younger children, and a flower blossom tea for ailing babies. The Seneca treated measles with it, while the Meskwaki made tea from the bark and gave the concoction to women in labour. It hastened the mobility of the uterus, in much the same way as oxytocin does today.

For more details on the historical uses this site has an extensive article. Another site with detail information is the Herb & Supplement Encyclopedia.

Elderberries are one the richest source of anthocyanins, which are the largest group of water soluble pigments in plants. Anthocyanins stimulate the body's immune system by increasing the production of disease fighting lymphocytes. Only the black berry is reported to have the medical benefits.

Wild birds and pigeons eat the berries with no adverse effects. Chickens can become ill and turkeys die if they eat them according to one article.

What effect the berry extract can have on racing pigeons? Foy's Pigeon Supplies has this to say:

"This product was brought to my attention by one of the most knowledgeable pigeon people in the country. Virus diseases seem to be a problem all over and this extract has stopped it in its tracks. A natural product that has been used by AIDS patients, it seems to be a real benefit. For pigeons with PMV, circovirus and adenovirus. 1 teaspoon per gallon of water for 10-12 days or longer if needed. 1 or 2 drops per bird for individual treatment."

Another helpful plant from Mother Nature's medical chest that will be a part of my prevenative program.

Update 25 Oct. 2003 I've been giving the birds Black Elderberry extract once a week for a few weeks. I’ve noticed something interesting. The birds seem to like it and drink more during the day. Almost twice as much. Now I’m wondering if it might be an idea to give it to the birds on shipping day so they load themselves with water.

If anyone reading this notice the same it would be appreciated if your results were reported by email.

Ronda of Circle Loft reports the following: "We boil the Elderberry seeds the day of the race. The next morning we give them the elderberry solution with added water. We find they do drink more too. We use it more as a natural cleansing drink. We have used it religiously this year with the young birds and see great results and differences in the droppings. Just a small contribution to everything we do. It is also excellent during breeding which is mostly how we have used it in the past."

Rob King of Sarnia, Ontario reports: "I have given the Elderberries to the birds for the last 2 years....excellent results. If they have even the slightest of watery droppings, it will clean them up. I personally pick my own berries and freeze them. I then take those frozen berries and put 1 tablespoon for every litre of water into a blender with 1 clove of garlic (not the whole bulb, but the little clove) and a 500mg tablet of Vit C (best antioxident) and then blend them all together and just pour into the water. When I first started to use the elderberries, I would boil some water and then add the berries, and strain, but felt that the boiling water might take some of the goodness out of the berries, so I started to use them directly in the water.

One word of caution though....I just dump the whole thing into the water...pulp, seeds, and all. If you leave it in there for 24 hours, the pulp will stick to the sides of the drinker (ie as the birds drink the water it gets stuck to the side) and is extremely sticky and hard to get off of the side. If I had a strainer, I probably would use it...also if you are extremely patient, you could separate the seeds from the blended drink and dry them, and give to birds, which will eat them as readily as peanuts..."

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