Natural Herbal Remedies

With all the scares going around this year concerning avian flu, I find it pertinent to post an article by John Hart addressing black elderberry as a flu suppressant.
The American Indians have been very big contributors to herbal medicine. their culture dictated that they take from the land that which benefited them, and to never take any more than was needed to survive. We must be thankful for their knowledge of healing, medicinal plants, and tribute to the earth.
Black elderberry grows in Europe and North America, and has many applications for the herbalist. Here in this article, the use of black elderberry is discussed for symptoms and suppression of the flu.

Why Is Black Elderberry Such A Powerful Flu Fighter?

by John Hart

According to the "Handbook of Medicinal Herbs," black elderberry leaves were touted by European herbalists to be pain relieving and to promote healing of injuries when applied as a poultice.

Native American herbalists used the plant for infections, coughs, and skin conditions.

Black elderberry is a plant that grows primarily in Europe and North America. Its a natural remedy with three flavonoids that have antiviral properties. Flavonoids are very effective against different strains of influenza virus. Black elderberry also has other compounds, called anthocyanins, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, thus reducing aches and pains.

A popular brand is Sambucol. Sambucol has been shown to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza virus.

Studies have demonstrated that Sambucol formulations activate the healthy immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production, which mediates the viral load in the human system.

On average, flu patients given Sambucol recovered in 3.1 days compared to 7.1 days for those given placebo, and there are no known side effects.

A prominent Israeli virologist, and developer of the Sambucol extract, Dr.Madeleine Mumcuoglu said "Sambucol is one of our best treatments for the flu, especially when taken at first sign of symptoms. Flu viruses are covered by tiny protein spikes of hemagglutinin, which they use to attach to, and infect, healthy human cells," she says. "While working on my doctoral thesis we isolated key active substances within black elderberry that disarm hemagglutinin and thus stop the first step of viral invasion."

Sambucol syrup seems very safe for children and adults as a treatment, not a preventative, against influenza.

Mr. Hart is the author of the popular ebook, "How to Protect Your Family Against the Coming Pandemic," and president of Oregon Digital, the worldwide distributor of NanoMasks and NanoFilters, the only filter mask guaranteed to kill Bird Flu, SARS, and other deadly pathogens on contact. Learn more at http://www.buyNanoMask.com

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A discussion of black elderberry would not be fitting without paying tribute to the Native American. In future articles, I will discuss and post relevant information about this fascinating culture, and their contributions to all mankind.