Elderberry tincture and swine flu info

[kaiservontexas]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Joe]

Can someone post WHY and HOW the elderberry works?
I thought it was only for after you got sick - didn't realize it was also a preventative.

[bbkaren]

Joe, these two articles are specifically about Sambucol--which is a store-bought brand name elderberry syrup. Supposedly it's better than "regular" elderberry concoctions but I have my doubts.

Incidentally, the Nature's Way Sambucus product is the one we use; Sambucol brand is a lot more expensive.

__________________________

http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/index. ... le&id=2946
Sambucol, a black elderberry extract, appears to short-circuit flu symptoms, a study shows.

However, Andrew Weil, MD, director of the program in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona, is cautious. The findings on Sambucol are only preliminary, he says. He advises people to take prescription drugs if they get the flu, but notes that Sambucol may help.

"Sambucol is for treatment, not for prevention," Weil tells WebMD. "It has an unknown mechanism of action. Research suggests it inactivates the flu virus, but we don't know that for sure."

In folk medicine, flowers from the black elder bush have been used to ease flu symptoms, colds, and sinus problems. In recent years, researchers have begun formal studies of Sambucol -- a formulation of elderberry extract -- to better understand this herbal remedy.

A small study published five years ago showed that 93% of flu patients given Sambucol were completely symptom-free within two days; those taking a placebo recovered in about six days. This current study shows that, indeed, it works for type A flu, reports lead researcher Erling Thom, with the University of Oslo in Norway.

Thom's findings were presented at the 15th Annual Conference on Antiviral Research. The study has been accepted for publication in the Journal of International Medical Research.

The study involved 60 patients who had been suffering with 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 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.

It's likely that antioxidants called flavonoids -- which are contained in the extract -- stimulate the immune system, writes Thom. Also, other compounds in elderberry, called anthocyanins, have an anti-inflammatory effect; this could explain the effect on aches, pains, and fever.

Elderberry extract could be an "efficient and safe treatment" for flu symptoms in otherwise healthy people and for those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, Thom adds.

Russell Greenfield, MD, a leading practitioner of integrative medicine and medical director of Carolinas Integrative Health, advocates treating flu with black elderberry, he says in a news release. "It can be given to children and adults, and with no known side effects or negative interactions," he says.

"Sambucol is the only black elderberry preparation shown effective in clinical studies."

___________________________________________

http://www.kristiemcnealy.com/elderberr ... ights-flu/

Elderberry Extract Sambucol Fights Flu
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 19:23
Posted in category General Health, Medication, Nutrition

If you’re looking for natural flu remedies in the wake of the recent swine flu outbreaks, the black elderberry extract Sambucol is a choice that rises to the top of many lists. A small study published in the ’90s showed that 93% of flu patients given Sambucol were completely symptom-free within two days, while those taking a placebo recovered in about six days. That particular study, published in the winter 1995 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, was performed during an influenza B outbreak though, so the verdict was still out on flu A.

In a second study published in the International Journal of Medical Research, 90% of the study participants had influenza A. In this study, patients who received Sambucol recovered in an average of 3.1 days, versus 7.1 for the placebo group. No significant side effects were reported in this study.

Scientists believe that flavanoids in black elderberry extract are likely to be the component that is active against the influenza virus. Although we don’t know whether elderberry extract is effective against the current strain of swine flu, the fact that black elderberry extract is generally safe for both children and adults, and there are no known negative effects or drug interactions, makes it a pretty good candidate when it comes to natural remedies.

In case you’re wondering, everything I’ve read leaves me a little hazy on exactly which black elderberry extract preparation was used in the studies mentioned above. Both Sambucol by Healthcare Brands International Ltd. and Nature’s Way Sambucol product information make vague statements about scientific testing and virology. One thing I do know, is that the product marketed as Nature’s Way Sambucol changed it’s name to Sambucus Original Black Elderberry Syrup in late 2008. Depending on where you purchase it from, you might find Nature’s Way products labeled as Sambucol or Sambucus. We happen to have a little bit of each brand. If anyone can clarify this issue by providing the full text of either study, I’d really appreciate it!
As with all medications, consult with your physician before making treatment decisions

[annabanana]

ak's recipe uses dried elderberries...can you use fresh, with the same results? a.b.

[bbkaren]

Anna, I'm not sure but I think it can be used--though I think the procedure is different. Timebomb2000 has an extensive thread on elderberry:

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=331406

Included are also a couple other recipes, including one for syrup. I know tincture is supposed to be more effective somehow but if the family won't take it...

I wonder if a tincture could be sweetened, or mixed with syrup to create a "happy medium". Hmm...

[Mountainrunner]

Great Post….Thanks a million.

I just ordered 5 pounds of Elderberries so this will be my first attempt at making anything like this. Wish me luck.

Can I add sugar to make it more tolerable?

[Joe]

If you want to add sugar, I'd do it when taking it, not when making it.

[Joe]

I added this to the blog post:

EDIT: I say later in this article that I am not a doctor. Truth. I have gotten some email since this article was published that says Elderberry Tincture may actually be harmful to those with H5N1 ("bird flu"). What about H1N1 ("pig flu")? Check this link out: http://www.the-health-gazette.com/healt ... antivirals

Is it true? I don't know. I just don't know. Take what you can use, discard the rest.

[AK47]

The israeli tests were conducted on bird flu. The results were pretty good. I'll see if I can find the study on google today. We are assuming that the results will be good on swine flu because studies show it works for the A type and bird flu. Keep in mind that the swine flu has elements of bird flu in it.

I'm hoping for the best. It will be better than Tamiflu I bet. Plus I'm not going near the herd to get my dose of Tamiflu.

[AK47]

Can I add sugar to make it more tolerable?

Sure. Remember Mary Poppins?

A Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down-wown
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way


I think most medicines 100 year or earlier tasted bad. Most contained alcohol. If you add sugar or honey you will significantly shorten the shelf life even if you refrigerate it.