Elderberry for Colds and Flu (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu January 5th 2012 @ 12:19 AM

Elderberry is an amazing herb that helps the body fight viruses by boosting the immune system.
Elderberry had been used medicinally in medieval tmes but was forgotten over time.
However, it was resurrected in the early 1990s when researchers discovered its remarkable flu-fighting action.
This happened when Israeli researcheres, fascinated by the folk use of elderberry against flu, discovered that the purple berry substantially reduces replication of flu viruses.
The researchers made a syrup from the berry and used it to treat a flu outbreak on an Israeli kibbutz in 1993.
Those who did not receive elderberry took 6 days to recover, according to the book The New Healing Herbs.
But 90 % of those who took the elderberry syrup recovered in just 3 days.
The syrup used in this study is now widely marketed  as Sambucol.
While it's commonly thought that elderberry attacks the flu virus, subsequent studies have shown this is not the case.
Instead, it boosts the immune system so the body can fight the flu virus more effectively.
Elderberry increases production of an important class of immune compounds known as cytokines.
While elderberry is known for treating the flu, it can also be used for the herpes virus and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Can elderberry be used for colds?
Elderberry contains antioxidants known as anthocyanins.
Antioxidants help boost the immune system which can help colds, however the berry is most effective for flus.

Contraindications:  Elderberry is considered safe to use, however eating unripe, uncooked berries may produce nausea. Elderberry leaves and stems contain cyanide and ingestion has caused poisoning.


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