Elderberry and the Common Cold. A Natural Cure?
The common cold is a mystery. You can think of hundreds of options from pills and liquids to teas and antiviral drugs like Tamiflu for example. However, none of these options work 100% of the time. While we don’t have a cure, there is a better option than synthetic chemicals and antibiotics. It is in many backyards right now. Researchers have shown that elderberry, when made into syrup, might be the next best answer to a cure. When used as a remedy for the common cold, it reduces both the symptom severity and symptom duration substantially. Jessie Hawkins, Ph.D. from the Franklin Institute of Wellness was the author of a study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine recently. She was quoted as saying,
“Supplementation with a standardized elderberry extract is significantly effective at reducing the total duration and severity of upper respiratory symptoms, as compared to a placebo group … These findings present an alternative to antibiotic misuse for upper respiratory symptoms due to viral infections, and a potentially safer alternative to prescription drugs for routine cases of the common cold and influenza.”
~ Jessie Hawkins, PhD
Recent news has the masses aware of antibiotic-resistant microbes. With this resistance comes a look for alternatives to prescription medicine. Doctors everywhere have started to lessen the prescribing of these pills in hopes to slow down and reduce the number of super-bugs out there. New research into elderberry might help this cause by producing a natural medicine.
Bringing Fairy Tales to Life Through Medicine
The idea that elderberry syrup can be used as a medicine is nothing new. For hundreds of years, it has been used as a cold remedy by holistic medicine enthusiasts. Hans Christian Anderson even wrote about it being used in a tea at one point to help the flu. Only in the past few years have scientific researchers taken a look at this plant to determine if it holds any merit for treating the flu and cold. With great news, these researches have come away with real evidence it can help.
Real Evidence
Research on elderberry has found that the extract is useful when working against pathogenic bacteria and influenza viruses. Another trial found liquid extract and lozenges to assist in the severity and duration of the symptoms. However, these trials were not made on a large enough scale to be determined 100% proof.
When looking for further evidence, Dr. Hawkins and his coauthors undertook the task of searching for past literature. Their search uncovered 137 articles in total. However, only four were of strict enough standards to meet the criteria set out in Dr. Hawkins’s study. Overall, this resulted in a study group of 180 total participants which were almost evenly split between test and control.
The small test number aside, the results were still positive. Calculations revealed that even with a small group, the elderberry had a significant impact on the duration of the symptoms. Also, the flu vaccine didn’t significantly alter the test in any real way. While the effect of the elderberry extract was more significant for flu symptoms, it was effective on both flu and cold symptoms.
Adding Elderberry to Your Home
Here at Agape Nutrition, elderberry comes in many forms. We have chewable tablets, liquid, dietary supplements, and pills. Each option is excellent for you to take for a natural assistant to overcome the flu or cold. Though elderberry syrup can also be made at home, careful consideration must be given as undercooking can result in toxic compounds rather than a healing liquid. If you want to skip the danger altogether, our selection of five different elderberry supplements will leave you safe and healthy while you work to overcome your symptoms.
Pure Harvest Greens Elderberry Flavored
Pure Harvest supplies essential nutrients to enhance energy, support digestion, and boost the immune system. Made with elderberry, this nutrient booster contains loads of fiber, greens, vegetables, and fruit powder to make sure you are getting everything you need.
Sambucus Black Elderberry Syrup
Sambucus is a delicious tasting syrup for children and adults. The Black Elderberry Syrup contains a high level of naturally occurring active constituents for optimal effectiveness. For centuries the dark berries of European black elderberry have been traditionally used as a winter remedy.
Immuno-DMG™ Chewable
Immuno-DMG™ Chewable with Elderberry and Vitamin D3 is an advanced nutritional supplement. Combining Gluconic® DMG, Maitake PD-Fraction® (Maitake Mushroom Extract), and Larch Tree Arabinogalactan Powder with Beta 1,3 Glucans it's perfect for your health. This synergistic and powerful blend is further combined with Vitamins C, D, and E, Zinc, Elderberry, and Astragalus. All these vitamins work to support Immune System Function. Best of all, it's packaged in a great-tasting chewable tablet!
Cyto-Redoxin
Cyto-Redoxin is a support formula that protects cells from free radical damage. The supplement contains redox-coupled ingredients and AnthoRedoxin, our exclusive blend of anthocyanins that support each other. In healthy cells, the ingredients in this Redox Support Formula work with each other in the reduced form. Redox features a powerful AnthoRedoxin blend of beet, bilberry, black currant, and elderberry to make sure you’re getting the best you can get.
Spectra Purples™
Spectra Purples™ is a delicious, healthy aging drink mix that combines 19 whole fruits, vegetables, and extracts. Some of nature’s most protective foods are darkly colored fruits & vegetables because they naturally contain potent antioxidant Vitamin C and a variety of cell-protective nutrients. Also included are healthy aging nutrients: Alpha GPC, L-Carnosine, and Folic Acid to support mental energy, focus, and clarity. Spectra Purples™ has a delicious berry flavor enhanced by the natural sweetness of stevia and purple carrot.
No matter which of the five elderberry options you choose, you will be covered by elderberry’s incredible health benefits. Elderberry is great for reducing the duration and intensity of the cold and flu as well as enhancing the taste and providing extra nutrients in a number of our elderberry blends.