As winter approaches, there’s tons of talk about this year’s looming flu season. Actually, it's a lot more like yelling… and it goes something like, “Get your flu shot NOW!” Fortunately, as a Save Our Bones community member you may already know the truth about the flu shot and about natural ways to strengthen your immune system to prevent the flu.
But in spite of this, you might still end up catching the flu. And that’s where a study I’m going to share with you today can make a huge difference. It's about a natural fruit extract with the amazing ability to help you get rid of the flu just as effectively as Tamiflu – a commonly used toxic anti-influenza drug.1
What fruit extract is it? It’s the alkalizing…
Elderberry or Simbucus Nigra
Elderberry extract is an effective and natural way to reinforce what your immune system is programmed to do: attack the intruders. Florida researchers tested an extract of elderberry fruit in a test tube and observed that the the extract of elderberry flavonoids bound directly to the parts of the H1N1 virus that connect with a host. This means that the elderberry extract blocked the viruses’ ability to infect more host cells.
In their own words, the researchers concluded that,
“The H1N1 inhibition activities of the elderberry flavonoids compare favorably to the known anti-influenza activities of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu; 0.32 lM) and Amantadine (27 lM).”1
But the effects of elderberry have a much wider scope that just the H1N1 virus, since it also inhibits certain bacteria and influenza A and B viruses. Last year, German scientists were able to explain this. They observed that the anthocyanins in elderberry enhance immune function because they boost the production of cytokines, which help regulate the immune response.2
Tamiflu’s Terrible Side Effects
Take a look at the drug’s side effects:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- dizziness, headache, vertigo
- nosebleed
- eye redness or discomfort
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- rash, dermatitis, urticaria, serious skin reactions
- cough or other respiratory symptoms
Notice the irony of the similarity between many of the flu’s symptoms and the drug’s side effects. But it gets worse, because Tamiflu has other side effects, that although rare, include confusion, delirium, hallucinations, anxiety, unusual behavior, and self injury.3
In stark contrast…
Elderberry Extract is a Safe Alternative
At the first symptoms of the flu or even a cold, you can take Elderberry extract without having to worry about side effects. However, be aware that it has a slight diuretic effect, so check with your health practitioner if you take diuretics. Also, the extract lowers blood glucose, so take this into account if you’re a diabetic.
You should only use the extract of Sambucus nigra, and never the Sambucus ebulus, since the latter can toxic. And make sure you get the extract from a reputable source, since raw or unripe elderberry, and also the leaves, seeds, and bark, contain cyanide.
The elderberry extract I now have in my winter “First Aid Kit” is alcohol-free, and therefore, it’s not acidifying. Many health food stores carry it. If you need to use it, just follow the instructions on the bottle. You should be able to find alcohol-free elderberry extract at most health food stores, or you can order it from an online retailer.
So now you know what to do if you get the flu this year.
Stay warm and healthy!
References
1 Roschek Jr. Bill. “Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro”. Phytochemistry: August 2009. 70; 1255 – 1261.
2 https://www.drugs.com/sfx/tamiflu-side-effects.html
3 Krawitz C et al. “Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses”. BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2011. 11:16;11-16.
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New Study: Vitamin D Confirmed To Protect Against Cold And FluComments on this article are closed.
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Re your comments on beneficial aspects of yogurt, i have been advised by an ayurvedic doctor to avoid fermented foods and dairy because of a hiatal hernia which sometimes causes acid reflux. I do sometimes use unsweetened goat milk yogurt – do you think it offers similar benefits?
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I’m wondering, now that we know abt. elderlberry’s benefits, would black cherry juice also be similarly beneficial?
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have you any suggestions to help me with the awful pain of fibromyalgia
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Hi, I placed an order yesterday in the name of Lionel Johnson, for special offer books $67 with free shipping.I had difficulty doing this an am not sure if my order went through or if I ordered it twice.So far I have not received any confirmation of order . I phoned your international number , they could not help. I also tried to email from home page an that only allowed me to order the free copy of book which I already have. I would really like to know were I stand with this order , if you could advise me as soon as possible that will be great. Thank you.
Kind regards
Mylene-
Hi Mylene,
Thanks so much for your order, and I’m so sorry you had trouble with the ordering process. I will check our system to see the status of your order and will contact you by e-mail through customer service.
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Please add me to your out going e-mails !!!
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Please add me to your list…
important and interesting health information,
look forward to receiving your e-mails.!!-
Hi Lina!
Thanks for being a part of the Save Our Bones community, and we appreciate your enthusiasm!To make sure you receive e-mails from Vivian, please sign up at this link:
https://saveourbones.com/get-updates/
Thanks!
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Good to know about elderberry. I will keep it in mind in case I or anyone in my family gets the flu, even though I’ve never had the flu shot and have not had the flu.
Thank you for the millet and sweet potato croquettes recipe. I tried them last week and they were really good.
I have a question. I use Ezekiel bread made with sprouted grains. Is it alkaline since it is sprouted, or is it acidic since it is still wheat and other acidic grains?
Thanks for all you do!-
Yes, I will be making Elderberry wine from the eeberderrils I got from you. In answer to your question about white specs floating on the wine, this may be Flowers of wine . This can be caused by Mycoderma, which if left unchecked can spoil the wine. To treat this, rack the wine into a clean sanitized carboy, and treat with 1-2 campden tablets per gallon of wine. Mycoderma needs oxygen to survive, so make sure you top up the carboy with wine or water to minimize the amount of head space in the carboy. If it starts to come back after treating with campden tablets, the next step is to sterile filter the wine. The sterile filters are fine filters, so you would have to filter the wine twice, once with medium filters and the second time with sterile filters. The sterile filters clog up easily, which is why you have to filter it with the medium filter first. You can still save the wine at this point, but I would definitely treat it if it was my wine just to be safe.
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Glad you liked the recipe, Cindy! And yes, sprouted grains are considered alkalizing.
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I can only HOPE that my order was received…before I could be sure, the intrusive survey completely STOPPED the process!!! If this is the norm, then I doubt I will order again.
You gotta allow a customer the right to NOT take this survey. Definitely!!!!-
Hello Anna,
Thanks for your order, and we’re sorry you had trouble! We need to check on your order and see what happened – please log on to customer service by clicking on the smiley-face icon in the upper right-hand corner of the website, send us an e-mail, and we will be glad to check into this for you.
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Hi! Vivian,
Thank You VERY MUCH For Your Article On The Elderberry Extract Flu Cure. It Was VERY INTERESTING!
If I’ve Had My Flu Shot Already This Year; Can I Still Take The Elderberry Extract To Keep Up The Protection?
Thanks Again! And Take Care!
LOVE, LESLIE (MS. L.)
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I take Elderberry extract when I feel I’m coming down with a cold/flu. I’ll take a few doses when I’ve been around ill people as a precaution. The results have been very successful for me. I haven’t had a flu shot in several years and haven’t had a serious seasonal illness.
The key seems to be taking elderberry before illness sets in – though I must say that I believe it helps speed the healing process even if I do catch the “bug”.
Recently my husband was ill with a cold-like illness. I took elderberry extract and didn’t catch any of it.
I also increase my Vitamin C during illness.
Thank you for the link to the brand you recommend.-
Yes, Loretta – it does seem that the sooner you can take the elderberry, the better. Taking it when you think you’ve been exposed and haven’t had symptoms yet is about as early in the game as you can get!
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Re Elderberry
I was interested re your article on Elderberry.
I have been taking Elderberry capsules (Sambucus nigra) for the last 3 years or more starting in October until May of each year. I have never had the flu and hopefully I won’t. Maybe I am doing the right thing instead of flu shots.
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Love your emails! And info! Thanks for caring!I had a hsysterectomy at 30 yrs old. Took the medications they gave me.At 56 my teeth started shifting. My dentist couldn’t figure it out. So i wore braces, it worked. But then it occurred to me that perhaps it was osteporousis! I asked my Dr. if I could be tested? Sure enough, I have it,but no medical provider of mine even thought of testing me.In my 50’s!It’s been along time since my surgery, you would think testing would have been a no brainer! I’m on track now! Thanks again! Susan
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Yes! Stay on track, Susan 🙂
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Good to know….I never had the flu shot and not about to start. Thanks for letting me know Elderberry extract will ward it off. I will pick up
some and keep it “just in case”!! Someone suggested Echinacea, that I have seen in my health food store, but wanted your insight as “Knowledge is Power”…. Thanks for all your info, Warm Regards, Allison-
Yes, Allison. I hope you’ll never have to use it, but it’s always good to have it 🙂
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Vivian:
What do you think about SOYMILK as a source of calcium? That is, one 8 oz. glass per day.
Thank you.
Violet
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You’re better off getting calcium from other sources. First of all, most soy crops are GMO. There are brands that certify they’re GMO-free but even then, soy milk is fortified with inorganic calcium.
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I’ve drank soy for many yrs. it really helped with my change of life symptoms,but now I hear about Soy is one of the GMO’s I stopped with the soy’
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This is regarding to ‘Cold Flu’ protection. I take during cold season ‘ECHINACEA’ 2- 3 times a day & it clears off. Even a tiny sniff of a cold or a sore throat I just take echinacea & it’s gone.The instruction is 15 drops with water. I take it With apple juice, is excellent taste & it goes down nicely.
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That’s another great herb, especially to fight colds, as you write 🙂
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I am sure that this is a good cure to keep handy, but am a little concerned that the research appears to have been sponsored by a company that manufactures a lot of elderberry/elderflower extracts. We all know that drug companies are not regarded as being the whitest-of-white!
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Dear Vivian, do you believe in the natural combine effect of black pepper, curcuma Longa and gingerols roll into one potent anti-inflamatory properties of this herbs to control arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis or ostheoporosis? that would include sinusitis,diabetes,tonsilitis,liver disease,goiter,asthma, rheumatism, high blood pressure, stroke, urinary stones,allergy, heart disease, anemia, impotence, insomnia, goiter and sinusitis.? I had been taking this wonderful herbal combination that has brought us great feeling of healing to our health. Sincerely yours, Walter O. Lituan
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Hi Walter,
I certainly do believe in the power of some herbs to promote health! It sounds like you have a winning combination going, particularly the anti-inflammatory herbs 🙂
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Hi, I hope you are able to make these available in doanolwd. I have a friend that makes Elderberry and Cherry and Blackberry and Elderberry-Cherry wines every year (has for 20 or 30 years) and I make him the labels for his wine bottles. This is a great label for Elderberry you have here. I am making labels for wine bottles for our Benefit Auction we have every year for our Catholic School.
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Where do you get these herbs?
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Hello Walter O Lituan,I read your comment above , just want to know where one can obtain this herbal combination to control all this ailments you mentioned? I have few of these problems.please reply
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Hi Josephine Raj. I live in the UK and find great relief at night from osteoarthritis in my shoulder by drinking a mug of hot water with organic vegetable stock powder and 1 teaspoon each of powdered turmeric and powdered ginger and hot chilli flakes (to taste – I like the heat, but it might not suit you). If I don’t have this I find that I am woken with pain when I try to lie on that shoulder. Six years ago a surgeon said I needed a replacement shoulder joint. As a result of diet adjustment (no tomatoes, sugar and wheat), and stopping the actions that caused the pain (changing gear on a manual vehicle and lifting heavy boxes of books) I now have almost no pain during the day, too.
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Dear Isabel,
Glad to hear you’ve found a natural remedy for pain relief. 🙂
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Like several other people mentioned, I take echinacea when I feel like I may be getting sick. I am wondering if it would be a problem taking both echinacea and the elderberry extract at the same time.