Hello Mamas,
For years I have been suggesting elderberry syrup for my patients as an immunity building tool.
Elderberries have been used for centuries throughout the world to naturally support health and wellbeing. In folk medicine dried elderberries have been used to relieve nerve pain and head aches. In the Middle Ages it was considered a Holy Tree, capable of restoring good health, keeping good health, and as an aid to longevity. Many healers, scholars, and ancient writings mention the use of elderberry. Even Hippocrates, the father of medicine, called the elder tree “nature’s medicine chest.”
In an Australian study, researchers discovered that phytochemicals found in elderberry inhibited the early stages of an infection by intercepting viral proteins before entering host cells. The scientists also found that elderberry had the capacity to prevent the influenza virus from continuing to spread even after cells had been infected by the virus.
In another study done by the Retroscreen Virology Centre elderberry extract was found to be 70% effective in preventing the swine flu H1N1 virus from infecting healthy cells and reduced intracellular replication by the same amount.
Elderberries work at the cellular level and provides support for overall immune health. They are high in vitamin A, Vitamin C, and flavonoids. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that have antioxidant properties and may play a key role in neutralizing free radicals. Elderberries contain the flavonoids quercetin, rutin, and anthocyanins.
- Quercetin helps promote the health of the upper respiratory system by supporting a healthy inflammatory response and maintaining the integrity of the mucous membranes.
- Rutin helps support the integrity of blood vessels.
- Anthocyanin helps boost the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties.
You can buy elderberry syrup locally, pre-made, or make your own. If you are making your own pick the dark, ripe berries and make sure that the berries are thoroughly cooked, black elderberries can be poisonous if eaten raw.
Wether you are making your own elderberry syrup or buying locally make sure if your child is under two years old that it does not contain honey in it. And of course make sure it does not have any added artificial colors or flavors.
If you are not the DIY type, I highly recommend Nature’s Way Sambucus sugar free syrup. You can purchase it through my site with Fullscript. https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kenneth-akey
*I do not recommend taking elderberry syrup for Covid-19.
-Dr. Kenneth Akey