We have developed protocols that address a whole range of ailments and diseases. One of our favorites healing foods that we incorporate into many of our protocols is Elderberry Syrup which also is always our go-to berry during the flu and cold seasons. (which seems to be 12 months of the year here in the states.)
Hippocrates, the ancient Greek “father of medicine,” described the Elderberry plant as his “medicine chest” for the wide variety of sicknesses and diseases it helped to cure.
We have found over the years that Elderberry Syrup will stop the flu before it starts, as well as drastically reduce the time it takes to recover from the effects of the flu.
We have always known that Elderberry syrup was loaded with anthocyanin compounds. These are the phytonutrients responsible for giving the fruit a vivid purple color. We have also always believed these compounds should help strengthen a person’s immune response to colds and viral infections; But, we just did not completely understand how it worked. Thanks to a recent study, we now have an excellent understanding of the mechanisms behind elderberries fantastic ability to fight off colds and viruses.
A Recent Study of Elderberry Proving Its Value In Knocking Out The Flu
A recent study conducted by Professors Fariba Deghani, Dr. Golnoosh Torabian, and Dr. Peter Valtchev showed that the chemical makeup of elderberries can stop the flu virus’s entry and replication in human cells. The group performed a comprehensive study of the mechanism by which phytochemicals from elderberries combat influenza infections.
“What our study has shown is that the common elderberry has a potent direct antiviral effect against the flu virus,” said Dr.Golnoosh Torabian.
“It inhibits the early stages of infection by blocking key viral proteins responsible for both the viral attachment and entry into the host cells.”
The study did not use wild elderberries. They utilized commercially farmed elderberries, whose juice was applied to cells before, during, and after they had been infected with the influenza virus. The phytochemicals from the elderberry juice were shown to be effective at stopping the virus infecting the cells and was even more effective at inhibiting viral propagation at later stages of the flu cycle.
“This observation was quite surprising and rather significant because blocking the viral cycle at several stages has a higher chance of inhibiting the viral infection,” explained Dr. Peter Valtchev.
“In addition to that, we identified that the elderberry solution also stimulated the cells to release certain cytokines, which are chemical messengers that the immune system uses for communication between different cell types to coordinate a more efficient response against the invading pathogen,” said Centre Director, Professor Fariba Deghani.
6 Other Proven Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
- Allergy & Asthma Relief
Elderberry extracts are immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory. This makes elderberry an excellent remedy for allergy symptoms. Inflamed sinuses, runny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, swelling, and coughing are all significantly reduced or eliminated by the powerful berry. (I recently suffered from a collapsed trachea and lung. The Elderberry Syrup enabled me to keep my congestion down and stopped mucus build up om my trachea and lungs. None of the prescribed medications worked as well.
- Colds/Flu
For many years, we have taught our students to use Elderberry syrup to treat colds and flu. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted during an outbreak of influenza B in Panama in 1995. The study found that within 48 hours, there were significant improvements. fever was reduced in 93.3% of those taking elderberry syrup. 90% of those taking the elderberry was well again within 48 – 72 hours compared to 6 days in the placebo group
- Immune System
Filled with powerful antioxidants Elderberries keep the immune system healthy and balanced. Recent research has shown the anthocyanins in the elderberry increase the production of cytokines proteins that act as messengers within the immune system – thereby enhancing the body’s immune response.
- Antiviral
Elderberries contain antiviral agents that do a fantastic job of knocking out viruses. The bioflavonoids in the Elderberries inhibit the action of certain enzymes within viruses, rendering them incapable of being able to pierce the cell wall and replicate. Research has shown that Elderflowers are also useful in killing common pathogens.
- Cystitis/Urinary Tract/Bladder Infections
Mainly affecting women, UTI’s, cystitis, and bladder infections cause excruciating pain. The constant urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation, can leave the sufferer feeling miserable and depressed. Elderberry syrup or teas can bring significant relief from the pain and burning associated with UTIs. Elderberry causes the kidneys to flush out toxins and bacteria that caused the UTI.
- Digestive Health
The high fiber content of whole elderberries can help to eliminate constipation, reduce excess gas, to improve the health of the entire gastrointestinal system.
Hoping this article will contribute to your knowledge of how to take care better care of yourself during times of illness. Wishing everyone health, wealth and happiness. Dr. Bobby
References:
AL Thomas, PL Byers, S Gu, JD Avery Jr, M Kaps… – Acta …, 2015 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov… We are not aware of any published studies on levels of these metabolites in American elderberry …
Özgen et al. (2010) studied 14 wild American elderberries brought into cultivation at … Thomas et
al. (2013) quantified total phenolics in 12 American elderberry genotypes grown in …Cited by 11Related articlesAll 4 versions
A review of human health and disease claims for elderberry (sambucus nigra) fruit
BF Knudsen, KV Kaack – I International Symposium on Elderberry 1061, 2013 – actahort.org… Sambucus nigra is included in this list. Clinical Data (Pharmacokinetics) Mülleder et
al … Page 8. 128 elderberry preparations. The bioavailability of the constituents from
elderberries seems to be very low in the above mentioned studies …Cited by 3Related articlesAll 3 versions[PDF] semanticscholar.org
Z Zakay-Rones, N Varsano, M Zlotnik… – The Journal of …, 1995 – liebertpub.com… ELDERBERRY EXTRACT INHIBITS INFLUENZA VIRUS 363 … Dilutions lower than 1:8 were not
tested for studies in tissue culture because of their low pH … in ap- pearance containing experimental
medication or placebo were assigned numbers from a pre- determined list kept in …Cited by 250Related articlesAll 13 versions
Elderberry in food–review of antioxidant and health benefits
J Tester – Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine, 2015 – go.galegroup.com… Animal studies of diabetes have demonstrated a reduction in the increase in glycaemia and
significant reductions in glycosylation of haemoglobin (HbA1c) with the potential role of elderberry
involving increase of muscle glucose uptake, metabolism and increased secretion of …Cited by 1Related articles[PDF] researchgate.net
C Ulbricht, E Basch, L Cheung, H Goldberg… – Journal of dietary …, 2014 – Taylor & Francis… Brief Background • Several species of Sambucus produce elderberries … or elderffower, used as
a ffavoring or seasoning, is on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Generally Recognized
as Safe (GRAS) list. Other species of elderberry are not listed on the FDA GRAS list …Cited by 29Related articlesAll 5 versions
