Elderberry http://www.herbology.com.au/herb-blog-ogy/archives/177 Elderberries - A tasty way to fight viruses Posted by anke under General Ripe elderberries (Sambucus) in Rochester, Min... After the recent spade of sickness in our house I have decided it is time to stock up on disease fighting remedies. Surely I am not the only one who always leaves things to the last minute and then finds that the very thing they need takes 6 weeks to make? Traditional and scientific research indicate that elderberries promote disease resistance and that they also have the ability to prevent and even treat a virus. Elderberries have been used for centuries in the treatment of colds, viral infections and upper respiratory conditions including asthma. These little powerhouses are said to build the blood, cleanse the system, ease constipation, enhance the immune system function, fight inflammation, increase perspiration, lower fever, soothe the respiratory tract, and stimulate circulation - oh and they are a powerful antioxidant! Did I mention they taste great too? In the old days a syrup or a hot cup of elderberry wine would be often be prescribed before bed to ward off cold and flu related symptoms. I popped over to The Medicine Woman's Roots for her Elderberry Elixir recipe. I took Kiva's suggestion and added some rosehip as well plus 1/2 a cinnamon stick. As this recipe takes a good month (and more) to mature I have also put some elderberries to soak for an Elderberry Syrup. I understand Kiva's preference for the elixir but when compared to the elixir the syrup is much faster to prepare and contains no alcohol - which of course is a bonus when treating small children. While the elixir is soaking I can fall back on the syrup in the meantime. It may not be as powerful but it does still possess a lot of the virus fighting benefits. Elderberry Syrup 2 cups dried elderberries 1 litre of boiling water 1/4 cup raw honey 1/4 lemon juice Put the elderberries in a non reactive saucepan, add boiling water - cover and leave to soak overnight. The next day simmer berries for 30 minutes, cool a little then blend. Once blended add honey and lemon juice. Cool, then pour into a clean bottle. Store in the fridge. NOTE: I havent decided if I am going to blend all the berries or whether I will strain the pulp out as I have seen in a few other recipes. I might do one of each and see if there is any added benefit from keeping the pulp. Will keep you updated on results down the track. As with the elixir I chose to add a small handful of rosehips as well. We love the taste and it is high in Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C & K - helpful in the treatment of colds and infection. Updated to add: If you are going to add dried rosehips like I did do add some extra water or else you will end up with slush in the morning as all the dried plant material has soaked up the water and there is nothing left to simmer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Sambucol-fights-bird-flu-virus-in-lab Sambucol fights bird flu virus in lab By Dominique Patton, 26-Jan-2006 Related topics: Research, Phytochemicals, plant extracts, Immune system, Respiratory health Sambucol, a standardized extract of black elderberry, has been found to fight the avian flu virus H5N1, revealed British researchers last week. A team at Retroscreen Virology, an institute associated with the University of London, said that the extract was at least 99 per cent effective against the H5N1 virus and significantly neutralized the infectivity of the virus in cell cultures. Dr Madeleine Mumcuoglu, the Israel-based developer of Sambucol, said the good results confirmed her earlier findings on the product, which is currently marketed around the world as a natural supplement for fighting common flu. "It is active against lots of different types of flu viruses and I did my PhD on its effect on a non-virulent strain of bird flu so the results did not surprise me," she told NutraIngredients.com. "But I'm very happy with these results, especially as the work was done by Dr John Oxford, a reputable specialist in flu," she added. Dr Mumcuoglu stressed that the results could in no way demonstrate a benefit for humans infected with the bird flu strain that has killed more than 70 people, mostly in South East Asia, since the outbreak began in 2003. Nor will she be able to test it in a human trial. But she is looking into starting an animal trial using ferrets, which have similar flu symptoms to humans. Dr Mumcuoglu added that bird flu is still a lower threat than common flu, thought to kill about 25,000 people in the UK alone each year through complications. While the new bird flu results might boost sales of Sambucol, it is the evidence from two human clinical trials on human flu that has created a significant market for the product. The double blind, placebo-controlled studies - the first done in Israel, and the second in Norway - both found that people who took the elderberry supplement got rid of flu in half the time of the placebo group, or after two to three days compared to about six. Dr Mumcuoglu says Sambucol blunts the haemaglutinin spikes on the outside of viruses and stops them from entering cells where they reproduce, cause the cell to explode and allow the virus to continue invading the body. An in vitro study has also shown Sambucol to be effective in increasing the production of four inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that the supplement may have an immuno- stimulatory effect and therefore be worth taking all year round to prevent flu and other disease. Jerusalem-based Razei Bar Industries now produces more than 1.5 million bottles of Sambucol syrup, with average growth of 10 per cent each year. "I didn't invent anything," claims Dr Mumcuoglu. "Elderberry has been known from the beginning of time. What people didn't know is what the active ingredient is, how to keep it intact and how to formulate to keep it active." This active substance has not been patented to protect the firm's market. While several copycat products are available in healthstores, Razei Bar says it has tested several of these and found none of the active ingredient. The new laboratory results were presented at a press conference held in the Royal Society of Medicine, London last week. Another trial is now underway at Hadassah Medical Organization Ein Kerem in Israel. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.herbalhealer.com/newsletters/n0306.html MARIJAH MCCAIN RANT Well I know I am preaching to the choir to many of you, but this makes me so mad. Last month there was an article released from Britain showing that cancer can be reduced by 50% with the addition of a very inexpensive supplement. It is Vitamin D! Now, two things. The article is no longer available publicly unless you pay for it, and secondly, the very same day this article came out in Britain, the United States press plasters a warning about Vitamin D and how is can be harmful if too much is taken scarig people away from Vitamin D, in my opinion! Folks, we are talking about a 50% reduction in cancer if used as a preventaive in a 40 year study! I am going to reprint a part of it again here for those that missed it. It is posted in the Breaking News Section - scroll down. http://www.herbalhealer.com/breakingnews.shtml "Published: 28 December 2005 "A daily dose of vitamin D could cut the risk of cancers of the breast, colon and ovary by up to a half, a 40-year review of research has found. The evidence for the protective effect of the "sunshine vitamin" is so overwhelming that urgent action must be taken by public health authorities to boost blood levels, say cancer specialists. A growing body of evidence in recent years has shown that lack of vitamin D may have lethal effects. Heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis are among the conditions in which it is believed to play a vital role. The vitamin is also essential for bone health and protects against rickets in children and osteoporosis in the elderly. Vitamin D is made by the action of sunlight on the skin, which accounts for 90 per cent of the body's supply. But the increasing use of sunscreens and the reduced time spent outdoors, especially by children, has contributed to what many scientists believe is an increasing problem of vitamin D deficiency. Ok, I am not done! Then we have the letter that was sent out to all the health food stores and people in the alternative supplemental industry warning us all not to mention anything that could be used to help the Bird Flu. Now the press has been loaded with article after article of how bad this epidemic might get, if and when the bird flu crosses over to humans. I am sure you have seen them. Here is one of the articles just as a sampler. BIRD FLU: H5N1 SAME VIRUS AS SPANISH FLU (50 MLN DEATHS) (AGI) - Rome, Jan. 9 - Spanish flu, which in 1918 killed 50 million people, was caused by a bird flu virus, which evolved and passed from birds to humans. Today's H5N1 is a variant of the same virus and "is the worst ever seen and the most likely candidate to cause the next pandemic", declared in an interview published by "Le Scienze", the virologist, R. G. Webster, who is the biggest world expert in flu epidemics. A bird flu virus, H2N2 causing Asian flu in 1957, and H3N2 causing Hong Kong flu 1968 (both with 1 - 4 million deaths) and again H1N1 in Russia in 1977: in all these cases the virus spread among animals and then transmuted and was spread from man to man. The current virus has not yet spread man to man, but the WHO fears that it could mutate from one moment to the next. H5N1 is fatal for bird in 100 pct of cases, in just 48 hours. It has also hit other mammals, even tigers and leopards and then has spread among man in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and is showing worrying signs in Turkey. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already sent a "pandemic alert" to all governments worldwide a few months back, which indicated what to do to prepare for a pandemic. The US has said it will stock pile vaccines. Well first of all they have not even found a successful vaccine at this point. Trials in Australia - Australia's Bird Flu vaccine trial has produced immune protection in only a small minority of the 400 volunteers. H5N1 Vaccines - From CDC site Currently no vaccine is available to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia. However, vaccine development efforts are under way. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005. (Researchers are also working on a vaccine against H9N2, another bird flu virus subtype.) http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/vaccines.htm So let me move on to what I am so mad about. We have antivirals in natural supplements that could help protect you and your family, but the question is WHY is this information being censored??? SAMBUCOL - Elderberry Extract! This product is not expensive and we carry it for Adults and Children. Read what the Israeli research says! 99% EFFECTIVE!!! Last week, Retroscreen Virology, a leading British medical research institute associated to Queen Mary College, University of London, announced that Sambucol was at least 99% effective against the avian flu virus, H5N1, and in cell cultures significantly neutralized the infectivity of the virus. "I think that Sambucol has a great role to play - it really can save lives," Mumcuoglu told ISRAEL21c. "To my knowledge, it's the only product that can cut the flu in half, before complications have a chance of setting in. If we do have a cure for chicken flu, this is a really positive thing for Israel." During Mumcuoglu's research she discovered the key active ingredient in elderberry and when she tested it against the flu virus, she found it effective. On her arrival in Israel, Mumcuoglu joined the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, and continued her research. The result was Sambucol, a patented natural formula which contains a potent antiviral compound, AntiVirin, isolated from the black elderberry, and three flavonoids - naturally occurring plant antioxidants. In 1992, Mumcuoglu decided to commercialize her elderberry supplement, and founded Razei Bar Industries to do so. Mumcuoglu, who is president of Razei Bar, first tested her research on patients in the Southern Israel flu epidemic of 1992/3. The results were extremely encouraging. Within 24 hours, 20% of those patients taking Sambucol had dramatic improvements in symptoms like fever, muscle aches and pains and coughing. By the second day, 73% were improved and by day three, 90%. In the untreated group, only 16% felt better after two days. The majority of that group took almost a week to begin feeling better. http://www.israel21c.com/bin/en.jsp?enDispWho=Articles%5El1209&enSearchQueryID=5&enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enVersion=0&enZone=Health& Olive Leaf Extract is also a well researched anti-viral! This product has saved my life more than once over the years. Oregano Oil, Grapefruit Seed, Colloidal Silver, Garlic and more... but the FDA will not allow this information to be told publicly to the American people. Nothing in the natural supplemental industry can be called an antiviral or an antibiotic! National Geographic News says this "A global influenza pandemic, like the "Spanish flu" of 1918, could leave tens of millions dead. Many experts insist that the world is unprepared, and overdue, for just such a catastrophe. " http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/05/0525_050525_birdflu.html Now on one hand we have the US press saying that there is a good chance of a pandemic, and on the other hand we have them saying, don't tell anyone how to help themselves!!! What the hell is going on? People this is alarming. The censoring of the natural medicine supply industry is outrageous, because we DO have products to help, products that have been well researched, products that I will stake my life and the life of my family and friend and patients on. We have products that could save your life and the life of your loved ones! Why do they not want you to know this? I have been in this business for over 20 years now and many of you know that I have taken a great deal of heat for my outspoken viewpoints. I have been forced to censor my website, censor my catalog, close my lab (saved many lives), remove doctor from my title, when i was the 36th to be registered as a Naturopathic doctor in this country, and close my clinic! I have taken verbal abuse and there has been an attempt to kill me. Anyone that reads Kevin Trudeau's newsletter knows that someone attempted to take him out as well. By the way, I love Kevin Trudeau and his book Natural Cures is a must read! I have only done my best to help save lives and mitigate suffering using natural modalities with no harmful side effects. I have only spent my hard earned money, sending out free newsletters and catalogs to help educate people so they will learn that there are alternatives. Why is this abusive censoring going on? Many of you know the answer, as I do, but we are reaching a critical stage now, with the threat of a global pandemic and your life may depend on your knowledge and ability to understand the importance of natural medicine and what it can do to help. And the fire storm continues... Sambucol, Olive Leaf, Oregano Oil caps are currently on sale until April 30th. http://www.herbalhealer.com/postcards.html SIMPLE ELDERBERRY TINCTURE RECIPE Clean Quart Jar add 1/4 pound dried elderberries (Must be Sambucus nigra) Now fill to top with vodka. Put lid on tight. Store in a dark cupboard and shake once every few days. Label and date your jar. Let it sit for at least 30 days before you strain it. You can use it without straining it too and it will just continue to get stronger. Preventative - Adult - 1 teaspoon in water once a day Children scale back by weight. purchase whole elderberries here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Elderberry_Tincture Elderberry Tincture From LoveToKnow Herbs Elderberry tincture has long been known as the 'poor man's medicine chest' for its usefulness, but especially its efficacy in treating cold and flu symptoms. Long used throughout Europe and the Americas, elderberry has a long and respected history as an herbal remedy. Both Pliny the Elder and Hippocrates mentioned and recommended elderberry as a medicinal herb in their writings. Research indicates Elderberry fights the flu. The Poor Man's Cure Elderberry(Sambuca nigra) grows throughout Europe, North America, parts of Asia and Africa. Other names for elderberry include elder, black elder, elder flower and sambucas. The berries and flowers of this tree are used to make herbal medicine as well as flavors to enhance beverages. The berries taken straight from the tree are poisonous, but when properly cooked, are safe to eat. You may even come across recipes for elderberry pie in older cookbooks as many housewives made special pies after properly preparing the berries. The plant parts must be prepared properly to eliminate potentially poisonous toxins, but elderberry purchased through a reliable supplement or herbal products manufacturer should be fine for most people to take. Unless you have a known allergy to elderberry, simply consult your doctor to ensure no potential drug interactions or other negative impacts on your health before using elderberry tincture. The only known potential side effect of elderberry is that it acts as a diuretic, so if you are taking diuretics or have bladder or kidney problems, discuss using elderberry with your physician before taking this herbal remedy. Uses of Elderberry Elderberry has a very long history in herbal medicine as a cure for colds, coughs and flus. Elderberry tincture, capsules or dried powdered are often taken along with several other herbs when a cold or flu threatens. According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, the European elder is most commonly used for supplements. It's also the elderberry tincture most frequently studied for its effect on cold and flu viruses. The most common uses for elderberry tincture include treatment for: * Common cold * Influenza (flu) * Coughing * Bronchitis * Sinus infections * Infections * Constipation Scientific Research on Elderberry Promising scientific research has begun on the use of elderberry tincture to shorten the duration and severity of colds and flus, but no reliable conclusions may be drawn from the preliminary studies. According to Prevention Magazine, elderberry "fights (flu) virus and speeds recovery." Scientists from Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem conducted a study in which 60 men and women who were suffering with the flu took either elderberry tincture or a placebo. Those who took the elderberry got better faster, on average about twice as fast as those who received the placebo. They also used fewer pain medications such as aspirin and other medications to control flu symptoms. Another study conducted in Oslo, Norway, showed similar results. In this study, those who received the elderberry recovered more than twice as fast as those who did not receive elderberry, on average three days as compared to seven days for the placebo group. Combining Elderberry Tincture With Other Herbs To Combat Flu Two studies are too small a research pool for serious scientists to draw conclusions and make recommendations. The results, however, neatly back up many centuries of folkloric use of this wonderful herb. If you choose to use elderberry tincture to combat a cold or flu, you may wish to combine it with other healing herbs useful to boost the immune system. Echinacea and goldenseal, for example, are recommended for infections, particularly upper respiratory infections. Other herbs may be comforting herbal teas, such as chamomile, and herbal remedies for bronchitis. Whatever natural remedies you choose, be sure to see your doctor for advice and especially if symptoms persist for several days.