Halle Berry, Chuck Berry, Berry Gordy Jr: That's a lot of Berry power, for sure.

And without Halle's best actress performance in "Monster's Ball," Chuck's hit song "Johnny Be Good," and Berry Gordy's Motown empire, the popular arts would be lacking some vitality.

But another berry — the elderberry (Sambucus nigra) — may deliver a healthy boost to body and soul, according to Dr. Mike's Cleveland Clinic.

Consuming this tasty fruit may lessen symptoms and shorten the duration of both the common cold and flu. In fact, one study found that elderberry extract (Sambucol) could reduce the time that people had symptoms of illness by an average of two days, and ease those symptoms as well.

How does it do this? Long a favorite for making jams and wines, the elderberry contains both antibiotic and antiviral agents, according to lab studies. And it’s loaded with beneficial flavonoids such as anthocyanins and vitamin C.

If you're looking to add elderberry to your immune defense, check with your doctor to find out which form (syrup, lozenge, etc.) of this natural remedy is best for you.

Also, avoid consuming raw the raw fruit or any other part of the plant; they contain small amounts of lectins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, as well as trace amounts of cyanide. Cooking neutralizes those components.