The elderberry extract is the most powerful weapon against influenza, and its strong, medicinal effects have been known for numerous of years.
The elderberry has been used for centuries and it was mentioned in ancient medicinal texts. Four hundred years BC, Hippocrates spoke about the elderberry bush as having various uses, and called it his “medicine chest”.
Also, it was also mentioned in the writings of Pliny the Elder, who wrote the practices of the ancient Romans.
PubMed wrote:
“Sambucus nigra L. products – Sambucol – are based on a standardized black elderberry extract. They are natural remedies with antiviral properties, especially against different strains of influenza virus. Sambucol was shown to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza virus. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, Sambucol reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3-4 days.”
Moreover, the Journal of International Medical Research spoke about another study:
“Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds, and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections.
Sixty patients (aged 18 – 54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999 – 2000 in Norway.
Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days and recorded their symptoms using a visual analog scale.
Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza.”
Scientists have isolated the active compound in it, known as Antivirin, which has powerful anti-viral properties that inhibit the spread of the flu virus. Also, the active components in Sambucol boost the production of inflammatory cytokines and thus strengthen the immune system.
Avian Flu
The CDC reported that the Avian flu has a mortality rate of 60% in the 600 cases reported worldwide, and a possible mutation of the virus could instigate a deadly pandemic.
“Since the first avian influenza outbreak, in 1997, there has been concern that the influenza A (H5N1) virus might either mutate and adapt to allow efficient transmission during the infection of mammals or reassort its gene segments with human influenza viruses during the coinfection of a single host, resulting in a new virus that would be both highly lethal and transmissible from person to person.
Such events are believed to have preceded the influenza pandemics of 1918, 1957, and 1968. Several lines of evidence indicate that the currently circulating influenza A (H5N1) viruses have in fact evolved to more virulent forms since 1997, with a higher mortality among human cases, different antigenic properties, a different internal gene constellation, and an expanded host range. “
The study by Zacay-Rones in 1995, showed that black elderberry protects against Avian flu, specifically Panama B strain.
“A standardized elderberry extract, Sambucol (SAM), reduced hemagglutination and inhibited replication of human influenza viruses type A/Shangdong 9/93 (H3N2), A/Beijing 32/92 (H3N2), A/Texas 36/91 (H1N1), A/Singapore 6/86 (H1N1), type B/Panama 45/90, B/Yamagata 16/88, B/Ann Arbor 1/86, and of animal strains from Northern European swine and turkeys, A/Sw/Ger 2/81, A/Tur/Ger 3/91, and A/Sw/Ger 8533/91 in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.
A placebo-controlled, double-blind study was carried out on a group of individuals living in an agricultural community (kibbutz) during an outbreak of influenza B/Panama in 1993.
Fever, feeling of improvement, and complete cure were recorded during 6 days. Sera obtained in the acute and convalescent phases were tested for the presence of antibodies to influenza A, B, respiratory syncytial, and adenoviruses. Convalescent-phase serologies showed higher mean and mean geometric hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers to influenza B in the group treated with SAM than in the control group.
A significant improvement of the symptoms, including fever, was seen in 93.3% of the cases in the SAM-treated group within 2 days, whereas in the control group 91.7% of the patients showed an improvement within 6 days (p < 0.001). A complete cure was achieved within 2 to 3 days in nearly 90% of the SAM-treated group and within at least 6 days in the placebo group (p < 0.001).
No satisfactory medication to cure influenza type A and B is available. Considering the efficacy of the extract in vitro on all strains of influenza virus tested, the clinical results, its low cost, and absence of side-effects, this preparation could offer a possibility for safe treatment for influenza A and B. “
Effectiveness
Studies have shown that Sambucol effectively treats the symptoms and reduces the duration of flu sufferers, on both , Influenza A and Influenza B strains.
One study investigates its effects, and participants who took it needed fever over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms such as congestion, fever, and aches.
“Thom’s findings were presented at the 15th Annual Conference on Antiviral Research in 2002. The study has been accepted for publication in the Journal of International Medical Research.
The study involved 60 patients who had been suffering from flu symptoms for 48 hours or less; 90% were infected with the A strain of the virus, 10% were infected with type B. Half the group took 15 milliliters of Sambucol or and the other group took a placebo four times a day for five days.
Patients in the Sambucol group had “pronounced improvements” in flu symptoms after three days: Nearly 90% of patients had a complete cure within two to three days. Also, the Sambucol group had no drowsiness, the downside of many flu treatments.
The placebo group didn’t recover until at least day six; they also took more painkillers and nasal sprays. “
How to Take Elderberry Extract
Note that all studies used Sambucol, which is based on a standardized black elderberry extract. You can either take it out of the spoon, add it to hot water and sweeten with honey or add it to a glass of sparkling water.
You should keep the elderberry extract in a cool, dry place. There are no side-effects of Sambucol reported yet, It is safe for children, but there are no studies who have analyzed its effects in the case of breastfeeding or pregnancy.
There are current studies which evaluate its effects in the treatment of cancer, allergies, inflammatory disorders and HIV.
Source: www.healthy-holistic-living.com