During the next six weeks, billions of people will find themselves shoulder to shoulder with fellow holiday shoppers, fighting the crowds and lines to get their loved ones that special gift that will make them smile. While the crowds and checkout lines will push your patience to the limit, they will also push your immune system to it’s limit! You will be exposed to billions of viruses. Once these overwhelm your immunity, you get sick.
The drug store has dozens of cold and flu products, but these only treat the symptoms…not the illness itself. The only way to reduce the duration and severity of a virus infection is to strengthen your immune system so it can “win the battle” against the virus. While there are many different natural products that can and do strengthen immunity, there is one that stands out as particularly effective at targeting colds and flu’s, elderberry.
Elderberry has been used for centuries around the world for treating illnesses such as colds and flu’s (which are caused by viruses). It is also commonly used topically to treat wounds and herpes breakouts. Elderberry’s contain compounds that have strong anti-fungal and antioxidative properties. This is confirmed by both centuries of use and scientific studies.
A 2001 study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine said elderberry extracts are “natural remedies with antiviral properties, especially against different strains of influenza virus.” In addition, a 2004 study published in the NLM highlighted a reduced duration of flu symptoms when taking elderberry: “Symptoms were relieved on average four days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo.” University of Maryland Medial Center writes “Elderberry may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties” additionally “one study suggested that elderberry could kill the H1N1 virus.” But the exact reason for elderberry’s effectiveness is uncertain.
Since viruses must penetrate a “host” cell in order to multiply, it is speculated that elderberry contains a compound that coats the virus and makes in unable to penetrate a host cell. However, regardless of how it works, the bottom line is it has worked for many in the past and it can certainly work for you this holiday season. Before you run into the crowds of people this year all sharing their germs, fortify your immunity with black elderberry! If you do get sick, remember the drug store c