The winter season is fast approaching and with it a heightened awareness of the importance of maintaining health and wellness, naturally. One herbal therapy that is sure to be popular is elderberry. The purplish-black berries of the elderberry bush have a long history of being used by the Europeans to address a variety of health concerns, including cardiovascular health, cholesterol metabolism, urinary tract health, visual health and respiratory tract health. It’s best known use, however, is as a tonic to help maintain wellness during the cold winter months. Traditionally, the berries would be made into teas, syrups, wines, jams and sauces and consumed on a daily basis. So revered was the herb, that in the middle ages, it was considered to be a Holy Tree, capable of maintaining good health and improving longevity. But, do elderberries really deserve their age-old reputation as the winter wellness berry? We think so!

Like blueberries, blackberries and other dark berries, they are a rich source of powerful antioxidant compounds called flavonoids and anthocyanidins. It has been shown that in addition to protecting cells from the ravages of free radicals and their effects, these compounds display a remarkable ability to positively affect immune health by maintaining a healthy balance of microbes.

Recently, a group of scientists were able to use a cutting edge technology analytical tool called DARTvision™ (Direct Analysis in Real Time) to identify three flavonoid and anthyocyanidin compounds in elderberry which were shown in laboratory testing to be the most biologically active microbe balancing chemistries. They then developed a patent pending extraction process that provides the most complete representation of naturally occurring chemistries in a plant, and if desired, optimization of key bioactive chemistries identified as being critical to achieving specific health benefits. In the case of elderberry, it was the three flavonoid and anthyocyanidin compounds the researchers were after. The extraction process also ensures that the key bioactive chemistries are delivered in consistent amounts in every batch. After manufacture, the extracts are checked with DART to ensure they possess the desired chemical fingerprint of the herb.

New Chapter's Immunity Take Care® is this dose reliable Elderberry extract. Because the extraction process is incredibly precise and every batch is validated with DARTvision™, New Chapter can guarantee dose-to-dose reliability. Why is that important? Because it means you will receive the same wellness enhancing benefits with every delicious blueberry-flavored lozenge. It is also nice to know that in a pilot study involving six subjects, the key bioactive chemistries were shown to be available in the bloodstream within minutes of taking a lozenge. In other words, Immunity Take Care® works fast to enhance wellness when you need it most.

This winter, let the microbe balancing chemistries found in elderberry and optimized for maximum benefit in New Chapter’s Immunity Take Care® work for you! Your immune system will thank you.