The winter of 2018 was a beast when it came to Flu Season.  Many people were rushing to the stores to buy black elderberry or Tamiflu.  It was all over facebook and social media sites.

Thankfully, our family did not experience the flu but I remember watching several people post that they had great results from elderberry syrup.  It peaked my interest so much that when my friend posted on facebook that she was making homemade elderberry syrup with local honey I just had to get some.

Elderberry is used as an herbal supplement for cold/flu, sinus, and upper respiratory infections.

According to VeryWellHealth.com;

There hasn't been a great deal of human-based research on elderberry's effectiveness in preventing or treating colds or flu symptoms, but several studies indicate that the herb shows promise as a cold-fighter. In a 2016 study of 312 people traveling from Australia to an overseas destination (for a minimum of seven hours), scientists found that those who used elderberry extract from ten days before flying to five days after arriving at their destination had a shorter cold duration and less severe symptoms than those who took a placebo.

Preliminary studies suggest that elderberry extract may have anti-viral properties. In a laboratory study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, for instance, concentrated elderberry juice helped to defend against influenza A virus infection and stimulate the body's immune response.

In a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine of 60 people suffering from flu-like symptoms, scientists found that those who used elderberry extract for five days (taking 15 mL in syrup form four times daily) saw their symptoms subside four days earlier than study members assigned to a placebo.

There's no evidence that the extract can prevent the flu. Since the influenza virus can lead to serious health problems (including pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening condition), it's critical to seek medical treatment if you're experiencing flu symptoms such as fever, extreme tiredness, and body aches.

Elderberry is known to boost the immune system, help with inflammation, nerve pain, allergies, and so on.  Some medical research suggests that it could reduce inflammation in the mucous membranes helping with congestion.

Studies dated back to as early as 2003 (WebMD) state "if taken at the first site of symptoms of a cold or flu it can shorten the duration of the sickness."  Specialist believe that the extract Sambucol which is found from the elderberry could be the reason symtoms lesson.

While all this sounds AWESOME sauce for many please remember with all natural remedies and dealing with your health comes precautions.  There is no solid research to prove the syrup actually has healing properties.  Many people swear by it but that does not mean it will work for everyone.

Eating raw elderberries can make you very sick.  Elderberry is not safe when leaves, stems, unripe fruit, or uncooked fruit is eaten. The cooked elderberry fruit seems to be safe, but raw and unripe fruit might cause nausea, vomiting, or severe diarrhea.

I am currently taking Elderberry Syrup.  I will keep you updated on how I do!

 

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