• Home
  • Wellness Articles
  • Contact

Wellcast

Womens Health, Wellness and Integrative Health.

Home » A Healthy Berry that Can Fight the Flu

A Healthy Berry that Can Fight the Flu

December 3, 2006 By Deborah

Facebook0
Twitter0
Google+0
Pinterest0
LinkedIn0

Make sure you have some Elderberry in the house this winter season. Black elderberry is reported to have anti-viral activity against influenza (flu), and even herpes simplex virus in test tube and preliminary human studies.

Elderberry has been used as a treatment throughout Europe and North America primarily for respiratory infections, such as colds, coughs, fevers and sinus infections. It can also significantly shorten the duration of the flu. These berries contain several active constituents including polyphenols, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids.

Elderberry flower extract is thought to reduce inflammation of the gingiva in peridontal disease. This is a great option verses the use of antibiotics. Studies show that elder flower decreases the production of inflammatory cells by certain bacteria known to cause peridontal disease.

Black elderberry is available as a syrup, capsule, liquid extract and lozenge. Syrups are usually used for upper respiratory infections with cough, while the lozenges work well for sore throats. Capsules or tablets are good for overall immune support.
I will even recommend black elderberry (Sambuccol) for infants that have the “sniffles” as well as nasal irrigations and have seen a dramatic shortened duration of their symptoms. Take as directed by your practitioner or on the label. The usual dose is 1 Tbsp (15ml) of the liquid form and 500mg of the powdered encapsulated form, three times a day.

Stay healthy this holiday season. I will be giving you my top 10 tips for enhancing your immune system this winter later this month.

Related

Filed Under: Health, Wellness

Looking for Something?

A Little About Me

Debbie is a board certified family nurse practitioner with an emphasis on women's health. During the past 22 years she has worked in women's health and family practice with a focus on the integration of conventional and alternative therapies.

Email Updates

Sign up to receive email updates for the latest in health and wellness.

Connect with us online

  • Twitter

Latest Tweets

  • Gut Microbiome Linked to Major Depression is.gd/e4SIHE

    Yesterday at 1:16 pm

  • COVID-19 Is Not Over Yet is.gd/GnSCSj

    February 8, 2023 4:16 am

  • The New Wave of Allergens wellcast.org/the-new-wave-of-a…

    February 7, 2023 7:16 pm

  • 6 Ways to Prevent Recurring Urinary Tract Infections wellcast.org/6-ways-to-prevent…

    February 7, 2023 10:14 am

  • Top 10 Health Breakthroughs in 2022 is.gd/k2P23b

    February 7, 2023 1:13 am

Copyright © 2023 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in