Elderberry Extract: Nature's 'Tamiflu'
by
Daisy
Luther
The
Organic Prepper
Recently
by Daisy Luther: Clean
Your Kitchen: How To Trash the Toxins in Your Pantry
The most important
weapon against influenza that you can add to your herbal arsenal
is elderberry extract.
Whether you
are concerned with the seasonal flu or the potential of a deadly
strain of influenza becoming pandemic, elderberry extract is a vital
addition to your
vault of flu remedies.
Unlike the
highly touted flu
shot, black elderberry has actually been conclusively proven
to be effective. It is one of the few natural remedies that has
been written up in the medical journals. The studies I’m listing
here are based on black elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L)
- name brand Sambucol.
According to
PubMed:
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.
The Journal
of International Medical Research concurs that elderberry extract
is a proven treatment, referencing a different 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 analogue 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.
An Ancient
Panacea
The medicinal
use of the elderberry is nothing new. Mentioned in ancient medicinal
texts, the humble black elderberry has been used as a multi-purpose
treatment for centuries. In 400 BC, Hippocrates referred to the
elderberry bush as his “medicine chest” because of its
varied uses, and it was mentioned several times in the writings
of Pliny the Elder when he recorded the practices of the ancient
Romans.
To learn more
about the historical uses of all components of the elderberry bush,
check out this detailed article on Botanical.com.
How It Works
Scientists
have isolated the active compound in the elderberry. It is called
Antivirin and is found in proteins of the black elderberry. The
compound prevents the flu virus from invading the membranes of healthy
cells.
The main
flavonoids present in elderberries are the anthocyanins cyanidin
3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-sambubioside, and are detectable in
plasma after oral intake of elderberry extract. A possible mechanism
of action of elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza
is that the flavonoids stimulate the immune system by enhancing
production of cytokines by monocytes. In addition, elderberry
has been shown to inhibit the haemagglutination of the influenza
virus and thus prevent the adhesion of the virus to the cell receptors.
Anthocyanins also have an antiinflammatory effect comparable to
that of acetylsalicylic acid; this could explain the pronounced
effect on aches, pain and fever seen in the group treated with
elderberry syrup. (source)
Avian Flu
This is especially
important with something like the Avian flu, which, according to
the CDC,
has a mortality rate of 60% in the 600 cases reported worldwide.
At this point the Avian flu is rarely transmissible to, or between,
humans. The fear is that a mutation of the virus could change that,
instigating a deadly pandemic. (Alarmingly, the Avian virus
has been successfully mutated by scientists, causing public outcry
that this “research” could be weaponized in the future,
but that’s a different article.)
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. (source)
According
to a study by Zacay-Rones
in 1995, black elderberry was proven to be effective against
the 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. (source)
Effectiveness
Sambucol has
been shown to reduce the symptoms and the duration of flu sufferers.
It has been tested on both Influenza A and Influenza B strains.
In one study it was noted that subjects taking Sambucol instead
of a placebo took fewer over the counter medications to relieve
symptoms like fever, aches and congestion.
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 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. (source)
Sambucol
will not prevent the flu, but will shorten the duration and severity
of the flu.
How
to Take Elderberry Extract
In
the Israeli study, mentioned above, each day children were given
1/2 tablespoon of Sambucol extract four times per day, and adults
were given 1 tablespoons four times per day. It’s important
to note that the only form of elderberry extract that has been used
in studies is Sambucol,
which is based on a standardized black elderberry extract.
(NOTE:
I’m not affiliated with the company Sambucol in any way. I
am recommending this product because our family uses it, it is standardized
and it is the product used in all of the studies referenced in this
article. I receive no commission or payment of any type from this
company.)
There
are a few different ways you can take the pleasant tasting liquid:
- Right out
of the spoon
- Mixed with
hot water and honey for a tea
- Mixed with
sparkling water and served over ice for a refreshing “soda
pop”-like beverage
Store your elderberry extract in a cool dry place – we keep
our bottle in the refrigerator.
Unlike
chemical medications, there have been no reported side effects from
Sambucol. Although you should always check with your physician before
taking this or any other remedy. It is safe for children over 2
and the elderly. No studies have been done regarding the safety
of Sambucol during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There are no reported
contraindications for those taking other medications, or those who
suffer from asthma or high blood pressure.
Research
is ongoing regarding the use of Sambucol for the treatment of allergies,
cancer, inflammatory disorders and HIV.
Reprinted
from The Organic
Prepper.
January
23, 2013
Daisy Luther writes daily tips, strategies and prepping ideas
at The
Organic Prepper and Girls
Gone North.
Copyright
© 2013 The
Organic Prepper
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